Rule Changes – Oppose Factional Attacks on Party Democracy
Replacing Conference’s discussion of “motions”, with “contemporary motions”, will stifle policy discussion. Open Labour Co-chair Amen Tesfay said, “Trying to turn conference into a happy clappy performing seal show isn’t the direction of a modern, vibrant, democratic party.” On the other hand, NEC member Luke Akehurst described Conference’s involvement in policy making as a “constitutional anomaly… the primary policymaking … has been submissions to the NPF…” Both the NPF and Annual Conference have a role to play. Eliminating the latter’s role weakens policy. Defend policy making for the many, not just the few. Oppose these Chapter 3 changes.
CLPs need their equalities officers. With them the Party is more inclusive and representative of the society we live in. To remove them as CLP Executive Officers would be totally reactionary. Oppose these Chapter 7 changes.
Supporting the campaign of a candidate against the Party already leads to exclusion from member- ship. The NEC is seeking powers to define “supporting”. It currently uses such powers in relation to “proscribed groups” and has redefined the meaning of the word “support” in perverse and spurious ways, including retrospective application. As NEC member Ann Black commented: “I am still concerned about defining ‘support’ to include ten- year-old likes of slightly dodgy Facebook posts.” It would be far better to strengthen party unity ahead of the General Election, not purge more members on politically motivated pretexts. Oppose these changes to Chapter 2 Clause I.
Most other NEC rule changes either reduce party democracy or tidy up the rule book.
The rule change about National Women’s Committee vacancies is progressive. Support this Chapter 11 proposal.
Priorities Ballot
Conference should unite around discussing genuinely LABOUR policies.
CLPs are recommended to vote for:
- Housing
- Education Standards and Funding
- Reform of Universal Credit
- Health Services and Funding
- Free School Meals
- Asylum and Immigration
Priorities Ballot
The unions will back the subjects below, meaning that motions on these subjects have already secured a debate. So CLPs should NOT vote for these subjects:
- Challenges Facing Retail and the High Street
- Critical Infrastructure
- Industrial Strategy, Education and Skills
- New Deal for Working People Social Care Workforce
- Technology and AI in the Workplace
Rally for Equalities: protect equality roles within the party!
1pm today (Sunday, 8th October) Outside Leonardo Hotel (formerly the Jury’s Inn), 31 Keel Wharf, L3 4FN
Organised by: Disability Labour, Young Labour and Labour Women Leading
ELECTIONS
Conference Arrangements Committee: Vote
Jean Crocker, Chris Saltmarsh
National Constitutional Comittee: Vote Annabelle Harle, Jabran Hussain, Dave Levy, Marion Roberts, Harry Stratton
The NPF Report Needs a Serious Overhaul
The Party needs a framework of policies capable of tackling the problems a Labour government will inherit. Regrettably, the NPF Report falls a long way short.
It promises economic growth, without adequate clear policies to achieve that.
It lacks serious measures to deal with the cost of living crisis.
The Tories’ attacks on the welfare state are maintained.
Commitments to workers’ rights are being watered down.
There’s no proper plans to restore crumbling public services, but huge finances for the military. NHS privatisation is to be extended.
The asylum and immigration agenda will encourage racism.
To succeed in government we will need to break away from such policies, which are similar to the current government. Continuing in this vane will deepen the problems, which will undermine support fo Labour in government.
A policy framework like this would let the voters down. We need policies that can deliver success, not first-term failure.
Listen to Women!
Labour’s Women’s Conference yesterday demonstrated powerfully the immense value of enabling women members and trade unionists to speak out on issues affecting their lives. It also showed just how disinterested Labour’s Leadership is in women’s input.
Despite the best efforts of Labour’s Women’s Committee and Women’s Conference Arrangements Committee, the 2-day standalone Spring conference has been replaced by a single day tagged onto Annual Conference. Organisation has been shockingly bad – there wasn’t even a printed WCAC report until delegates complained. Workshops were top down and sisters waited all day for the first Black platform speaker, who had the role of introducing Keir Starmer. Much mention of historical white Labour Women MPs but only one mention of Diane Abbott (to much applause) by a delegate, not the platform.
But women’s voices (in the limited time) were powerful and policy passed was great. The fight for women to be heard goes on!
CAC Report
Some delegates are hoping to raise questions on the CAC Report, including on how Conference can amend the NPF Report. Others may seek to improve the allocation of motions to subject headings. It does not look good that motions on the NHS have been artificially divided into two subjects (effectively pro- and anti-privatisation). Support delegates raising these issues.
Vote against the CAC Report (and if the Reference Back of an item in the CAC report is allowed, vote for the reference back).
STOP PRESS
It has been revealed that the CAC allocated all the motions on the NHS to one subject heading. But then NEC Officers took the extraordinary step of overturning the CAC’s decision, to divide these motions into two subjects. It is possible delegates will com- plain that the CAC has been usurped, for the purpose of restricting Conference’s discussion.
“You’ve got to have some convincing explanation about what you’re going to do differently on the economy from the Conservative Party."- Lord Falconer, former minister/flat mate of Tony Blair The Guardian, 5th October 2023
Stand With Diane! Restore The Whip to Diane Abbott: Solidarity Rally
1.30-2pm today (Sunday, 8th October) Outside Leonardo Hotel Organised by: Labour Black Socialists
CLPD Conference Assessment
CLPD Conference assessment Tuesday 10 October, 6.30pm
Quaker Meeting House, Liverpool L1 3BT