Peter reported on the Policy Review and referenced the four ‘first stage’ policy reports that were published at conference. The Joint Policy Committee has now agreed that CLPs and affiliates should have the chance to use these reports as a basis for debate to help shape their contribution to this stage of the Policy Review. Copies of the four documents, along with short discussion guides to help guide debate, can be downloaded from here: http://fresh-ideas.org.uk/annual-conference-2011-documents. In order to support members in getting involved, NEC and NPF (National Policy Forum) representatives have been asked to help lead this work in the months to come, taking the discussions out to the Party. Let me know if you’d like me to help or you can contact your regional NPF representatives at http://members.labour.org.uk/npfrep. Policy Commissions will bring together all this work in their Annual Reports to Conference 2012.

Members of the Shadow Cabinet have also been asked to develop reports on specific issues that need attention and Peter agreed that the NEC should have an up to date list of who sits on those Working Groups. Their reports will also be submitted to the National Policy Forum Policy Commissions.

I asked Peter about his plans for the next meeting of the NPF meeting and stressed that, whilst we need to review feedback from the extended consultation, members needed to start to see quickly the roadmap to a changed policy making process in which they could easily participate. I welcomed the conference call with NPF representatives that took place before Christmas but urged the party to ensure that representatives were given a reasonable amount of notice of these things so that they could participate. Peter agreed that this was a fair point and that he was looking at an NPF meeting late June/early July. He also agreed that the use of new technology would allow better interaction with and between NEC/NPF representatives and members.

Campaign Co-ordinators report;
Tom Watson talked about the state of the race in every area of the country. In London he stressed that whilst Boris was on his 2nd skiing holiday in a month, had 4 other jobs, dodged interviews, cut police numbers and has raised fares, it was important not to be complacent. The traction Ken was making recently was down to the extra resource the NEC agreed to put in to London and the sheer strength of will of the campaign team and volunteers.

In the English regions it was noted that we have 55% of candidates in place for the forthcoming local elections. The party will be aiming to win 350 seats in those elections, where there are fewer seats up for election this time than previously, and whilst targets are identified we will not forget the non-marginals.

In Scotland and Wales target councils have been identified and resources are being allocated accordingly. I reiterated the importance of the party performing well in the Scottish local elections given the impeding Independence Referendum and the necessity for us to develop our narrative on Scotland’s future. Tom agreed and said that the new Scottish Leadership team will be developing the policy messages there. It was also reassuring to hear that Margaret Curran is already keeping Tom and Iain McNicol on their toes!

Boundary Review;
Declan McHugh, the party’s Compliance Officer, updated us the Boundary Commission proposals for Wales. It was noted that these proposals came later than the others because of the resignation of two of the Boundary Commissioners in Wales. The reduction of 10 seats would have a devastating impact on Wales and basing the 2010 results on the new boundaries confirmed that Labour would have been the biggest loser in terms of seats. As with other areas consultation meetings are taking place in Wales with CLP representatives and based on their feedback, and other electoral data, Greg Cook, the party officer leading on this, will draw up a series of alternative proposals in advance of the public hearings which commence on the 15th February in Swansea.

General Secretary’s Report;
Iain reported that in his first 14 weeks into the role he had, by Christmas, met with every member of staff, he has visited every regional office except Wales (which is forthcoming), started work on the Commercial & Management review which has seen the 6 Executive Director posts advertised, started a weekly brief for staff and NEC members, scheduled regular meetings with the Leader, Deputy Leader, the campaign Co-Ordinator, the Chair of the NPF and party Treasurer. Iain congratulated everyone who was involved in helping secure the Feltham and Heston by-election victory. Iain also confirmed that he has now signed the lease on a new property which HQ will move to very shortly. The address remains under wraps for now but I took the opportunity of visiting it and I’m really pleased – it’s a great self-contained space for our party staff and will look brilliant when renovations are complete.

Leaders report;
Ed Miliband focused on the party’s recent announcements on the economy. He stated that he felt the announcement was necessary in order to frame the debate for the next general election. He stressed that the Tories are not on track to clear the deficit in one term as they promised, that unemployment and borrowing are both up. Ed stressed that where the choice was between jobs or pay increases the choice had to be jobs and that if the party ducked that choice we would not demonstrate fiscal credibility. Ed made clear that this does not mean that the party accepted the cuts – simply that we could not promise which we could reverse 3 years out from an election. He remained clear that he felt the cuts being made were being implemented in an unfair way and that more had to be done to tackle abuse and excessive reward, at the top.

The NEC had a full and detailed discussion on this issue. Ed responded to each and every point raised. I stressed to him that we have to address the difference between the message we believe has been sent and the message that voters have heard and we need to continually clarify and stress the different choices we would make to deliver a fairer system.

Andy Burnham;
Andy Burnham addressed the NEC on the work of the Party’s Shadow Health team to get the Government to drop the Health Bill. He and the team have spent 10 days in each of the English regions shadowing NHS staff, speaking to members and campaigning to get the bill dropped. This campaigning effort is starting to have an effect with an increasing number of organisations, including recently the RCN, coming out against the Bill. He stressed that the more people let their views known, on http://www.dropthebill.com, the better. Andy stressed that if the bill was passed and our party got back into government at the next election we would repeal the act. We would have to look at how we did this given the significant fragmentation of services that would occur but that fundamentally we were, and would remain, committed to a national health service.

This is my personal account of this meeting and should not be taken as the official record but please do pass on to Labour members who may be interested.

Keeping in touch…
Since my last report I have been delighted to be able to visit and talk to members in Pontypridd CLP, Hertford & Stortford CLP and Blaydon CLP. Pontypridd CLP was my 52nd CLP visit in my first 52 weeks of joining the NEC! I made a short clip of my tour of constituencies to celebrate that year here – www.johannabaxter.com/on-the-road . I’ve also been out campaigning in Battersea CLP, Southwark and in the Feltham & Heston by-election. I’ve attended the David Cairns memorial dinner, Val Shawcross’ GLA Fundraiser and campaign launch and the launch of Labour Business.

Campaign for re-election
On the 5th January I also announced my intention to stand for re-election to the National Executive Committee. It has been an honour and a privilege to serve as your representative to date and I’m proud of my record – I’ve provided regular reports of our work, sought your views on the big issues of the day and visited more CLPs than anyone else. If you re-elect me to the NEC I will: continue putting members first; ensure the commitment to a clearer, more transparent policy making process, which puts members at the heart of our decision making structure, is met; ensure that members and users are at the forefront of decisions taken about the party’s new technology platform and lead the charge for greater accountability within our democratic structures.

You can find more information about my campaign for re-election and all of my previous NEC reports and articles here; http://johannabaxter.com. Please do share my campaign leaflet with your fellow members, pledge your support on the site or contact me if you would like me to speak to your CLP.

CLPs have until the 5pm on Friday 30 March 2012 to make their nominations. CLP Secretaries can submit nominations online via Membersnet here. If you need paper forms or a form in a Word format just email ballots@labour.org.uk or call 020 7783 1498.

Most of you know me as a member of Labour’s NEC but for the past 8 years I’ve also been the Secretary of Camberwell & Peckham CLP.  I know that being a CLP secretary is not the easiest of jobs – keeping the minutes in order, ensuring distribution lists are up to date, co-ordinating the work of the CLP, making sure that notices reach everyone etc.  I should have been doing the minutes of our last EC and GC last night but I have to confess that I haven’t finished them, because earlier in the day I had a call from Tina.  Her mum, Joan Amodio, was a very dear friend of mine and the call was to tell me that she had passed away late on Saturday evening.  Joan was also our CLP stalwart.  And so it was, instead of issuing the minutes, I spent yesterday evening contacting people with the worst news.

Joan was a dedicated member and activist in our CLP for 60 years.  Her commitment to our party was unprecedented and truly humbling.  She never sought high office or financial reward and there will likely be no big fanfare now.  But what Joan didn’t know about our party or her community wasn’t worth knowing.

Joan lived on, what is now, the Aylesbury estate – the largest block of social housing in Southwark -since before it was built.  As a prominent local tenant and activist the local council asked her advice on the build of the estate.  She founded the Aylesbury tenants association when the build was complete and served as their Chair for most of her life, representing them at the GLA and doing the odd stint as the Social Secretary.  There wasn’t anyone Joan didn’t know on the estate and there wasn’t anyone who didn’t know, and respect, Joan. 

Whilst the adults knew her through the residents association the kids knew her from school.  Joan loved children and was passionate about improving the lives of children on the estate – she started teaching them to swim when she was young.  Swimming lessons turned in to helping at the local school and that turned in serving as a governor, in a number of the local schools.  It will be Michael Faraday School in Walworth that will feel her loss the greatest – she had been a governor there for 56 years and the Chair of Governors for most of that time.  Joan was recently was awarded the Liberty of the Old Metropolitan Borough of Southwark for her work as a tenant representative and as Chair of Governors at Michael Faraday School.

Whilst we are all trying to make our new Registered Supporters strategy work Joan was there before us – she knew who our local supporters were, she knew where they lived and she knew the names of their kids, pets and grandkids.  She was the person they all went to when they didn’t know which politician to trust – they knew she’d give it to them straight. 

She did the same in the CLP.  She liked a good debate.  But she was a loyalist through and through.  Having held nearly every position in the party there is to hold she commanded authority – new councillors would be mentored by her and campaigns were led by her.  Whenever I visited her in hospital all she wanted was the latest political gossip and we used to swap opinions on the most recent Sunday morning Marr programme.

There was never a dull moment when she was around, she had a wicked sense of humour and was always the last to leave every CLP social – I remember seeing her home a number of times.  Like most of us, she wasn’t perfect – her language was often colourful, she smoked far too much and sometimes burst into song at inappropriate moments (a rendition of ‘Oh Gordon my Gordon’ in the middle of Gordon Brown’s speech at Harriet’s celebration of her 25 years as an MP will always be remembered!).  But she had a heart of gold, so all was forgiven.  Her hard work and dedication to our party and her local community earned her respect and affection from every direction. 

Around this time last year we had our CLP annual Gala Dinner where our guest speaker, Yvette Cooper, presented Joan with the National Labour Party Merit Award we were so pleased to have secured for her.  I’ll never forget her face.  It meant the world to her.  And in true Joan style we soon all found ourselves singing the Red Flag. 

That’s why whenever I speak at CLPs who ask ‘what makes a good activist?’  I always think fondly of Joan.   I will miss her so much.

So the next time you’re in a CLP meeting and your CLP stalwart starts speaking their mind, please spare them a minute – we ignore them and their experiences at our peril.

Rest in peace Joan x

Campaign Co-ordinators report;

Tom Watson talked about his priorities for his new role as Campaign Co-ordinator, describing it as a gearbox between our Leader, the NEC and members.  His top priority will be to review, and improve, our communications with our members and he will be working closely with the General Secretary and his team on this.  He is looking at better ways to mobilise members, give them information on and involvement in policy development, and to aid our fundraising efforts.

There was much discussion about the tone of our communications with members – I fed back to Tom the positive response I have received from CLPs since he started communicating with members directly.  I asked him to ensure that whilst we up our fundraising efforts we don’t e-mail members only when we need money.  I also stressed the importance of getting our strategy right for the Scottish Local elections taking place next May given the referendum discussions currently underway.

Boundary Review;

Declan McHugh, the party’s Compliance Officer, updated us on the party’s response to the Boundary Commission proposals.  Consultation meetings have taken place with CLP representatives in every region that has, so far, published their proposals.  Based on feedback at those meetings, and other electoral data, Greg Cook, the party officer leading on this, drew up a series of alternative proposals.  Those were shared with CLPs with a view to try to achieve consensus across the party.  An NEC Taskforce – including Michael Cashman, Ann Black, Keith Birch and Tony Lloyd – was set up to review the Boundary Commission proposals, CLP feedback and the draft alternative proposals.  That taskforce agreed the alternative proposals that have been submitted to the Boundary Commission in the Party’s name.  There are a few regions still to go as well as Wales which is taking longer because of the resignation of two of its Boundary Commissioners.  It was noted that this was a highly fluid process – revisions to one boundary doesn’t just impact that constituency but others around it – and, whilst the Conservatives have centralised their response to the proposals other parties responses have been devolved a much more local level which can result in contradictory positions being taken by different constituencies in their name.

It was reassuring to see that Iain McNicol was very focussed on ensuring that we think at an early stage on the impact on CLPs and how we support them in adapting to whatever final decisions are made – not just in terms of the possible movement of wards to other constituencies but also in terms of the impact this will have on their activist base.  

GS Report;

Iain reported on his first few weeks in the role.  It was good to hear that the decision has now been taken to have the General Secretary attend and speak at meetings of the Shadow Cabinet.  Iain has also started weekly e-mails to all staff, is holding regular management meetings and, something which I very much welcome, is getting out and about to CLPs.  His priorities over the next few months are to work with Tom Watson
on reviewing how we communicate with members, drive our recruitment challenge and support our ‘Jobs and Growth’ campaign.  Iain has also committed to working with the NEC, particularly ensuring that we have sufficient time to properly consider papers on which we have to take decisions.

Conference;

The Party’s recent annual conference was discussed in detail.  I always enjoy conference and was privileged this year to open the Health debate on behalf of the NEC – you can watch my speech here.

The overwhelming view was that Liverpool had worked well as a venue and that the local police and hotel staff had been both professional and accommodating.  It was agreed that CLPs should be encouraged to book their delegate accommodation earlier so as to take advantage of some of the cheaper accommodation in the area surrounding the conference venue.  The party also always negotiates special rates with the local tourist board and CLPs are encouraged to book through them for those rates.  Disability access, looking after delegates who attract media attention through their speeches, giving more time for delegate speeches and debate, the background music and the layout of the venue were all discussed.

Refounding labour;

It was noted that the final Refounding Labour proposals were adopted by over 93% of conference.  This is the biggest shake up of our party’s rule book and organisation, ever.  I covered all of the recommendations in detail in the report I issued just before conference so I won’t repeat them again here.  I am incredibly proud of the steps we have taken, particularly the flexibility we are giving to CLPs, the training and recognition we have secured for members and, crucially, the new minimum wage for CLPs that I advocated throughout the consultation, which will ensure there will no longer be any no-go areas for the party.  

Peter Hain talked about the importance of now ensuring that Refounding Labour – and the 125 recommendations arising from it – are properly implemented.  The Terms of Reference for the Implementation Working Group that I recommended in September was agreed and I am deeply honoured to be asked to sit on this.  Our work will cover – identifying, coordinating and working with senior stakeholders to help deliver change at a local level; collecting best practice; speaking to local parties; mentoring local parties and individual party members; having a programme of information sharing on campaigns and initiatives with our Trade Union and Socialist Societies and; to act as a consultation sounding board for
Refounding Labour to Win recommendations still to be delivered over 2012, including the new communications platform.  So if you have good practice to share or want me to come and speak to, or mentor, your CLP please let me know.

We discussed and reviewed the guidance that will shortly be issued to all CLPs covering the main recommendations in relation to CLP, BLP and LGC structures and organisation, as well as how to go about accessing some of the benefits that are now available to you.  This is a really  comprehensive document which will take some time to work through, but if you need any help or advice in doing so just drop me a line.

Leaders report;

Ed Miliband welcomed new members of the NEC to their first meeting.  Ed touched on three main points; the continued pressure on the economy and our alternative plan for jobs and growth, the concern he has about predators being that the rules not being written fairly for ordinary people and the hugely damaging NHS bill and the worsening patient experience.

I asked Ed to comment on Greece’s proposal to have a referendum on the European bailout deal.  It was clear he was concerned about the continued uncertainty this would mean and he made the point that the over-riding issue was the lack of growth or growth strategy.

I urged Ed to ensure that we raise the profile of what the Party is doing to oppose the Coalition’s attack on workers employment rights  – only recently we have seen a leaked memo outlining thoughts about getting rid of unfair dismissal rights in relation to capability.  Many colleagues echoed this and urged Ed to ensure that the Party is, and is seen to be, on the side of public sector workers on the 30^th November.

I told Ed about the very positive feedback I had received from CLPs who are due to benefit from the new minimum wage for CLPs agreed as
part of Refounding Labour, quoting to him an e-mail that Banff and Buchan CLP sent me during conference in which they stated that “first time I feel that we are valued in the Party”.  Ed was pleased with the steps we had taken and stressed the importance now of making them work.

Deputy Leaders report;

Harriet Harman expressed her concern for the next generation and the attacks facing young people from the Coalition.  She spoke of the consensus in the PLP on the plan for Jobs and Growth and the importance of a symbiosis of our organisational and political strategies to get our alternative heard.  You can read more about, and download campaign materials for, the plan for jobs here.

NEC Aims and Objectives;

Key party staff gave us a number of presentations covering the big issues we need to focus on in the forthcoming year and we discussed our strategy in respect of each.  Many of those relate to sensitive electoral or financial information which for obvious reasons cannot be shared in a public forum.  Some interesting points to note though;

-         We have recruited many new organisers in the field and launched a local organisers programme.

-         14 PPCs will have been selected by year end in the early selecting seats.

-         2034 members have taken part in nearly 300 training events through Train to Win.  I asked if we could ensure that the, excellent, webinars could be downloaded by members for replay.

-         Contact Creator capacity has been increased and Contact Creator+ training is being rolled out.

-         93 CLPs have won free campaign literature after meeting their Reward to Win targets.

-         The Shadow Cabinet policy working groups will report to the policy commissions in the next few weeks.

-         There will be further consultation over the next two months on the reform of our policy making structure.  In the meantime all NPF members will be assigned to a policy commission.

-         A quarter of the members who have joined since May 2010 are below the age of 27.

Other issues;

-         We considered the NEC’s sub-committee and policy commission membership and I am very pleased to have retained my place on both
the Organisation Sub-committee and the Health Policy Commission.

-         Charles Allen gave an update on his Management & Commercial review.  Whilst much of this relates to our internal resource, finances and management structure – and therefore is necessarily confidential – I am really impressed by how he is going about this.  He has already held over 200 face to face sessions with people across the organisation  and is clearly very focussed on ensuring that we secure a co-ordinated, integrated structure that gives people the tools they need to do the job and delivers for members.  Charles’ work will continue and he will come back to the NEC with any recommendations.

-         Dave Sparkes’ local government report highlighted that local government finance was still the biggest issue hitting our local authorities.

-         Glenis Willmott’s EPLP report highlighted the work our MEPs are doing to support calls for a Robin Hood tax.

 This is my personal account of this meeting and should not be taken as the official record but please do pass on to Labour members who may be interested.

Keeping in touch… 

Since my last report I have been delighted to be able to visit and talk to members in Rochford & Southend East CLP, South West Norfolk CLP, Rayleigh & Wickford CLP, Orpington CLP and Dartford CLP.  I have also joined hundreds of other volunteers in party HQ calling for Ken, attended the annual Chinese for Labour Mulan Awards (which recognise  and celebrate Chinese women for their professional and volunteering efforts), attended the Special Scottish Labour conference held last weekend (you can read my report of that conference here)
and spoke at the Fox in Parliament fringe meeting on Animal Welfare at Eastern Regional Conference yesterday.

I’m always keen to talk, and provide verbal reports, to CLPs so if you’d like me to visit yours please don’t hesitate in contacting me and I’ll do my best to get there.

http://labourlist.org/2011/10/special-scottish-labour-conference-report/

Refounding Labour has been the largest consultation exercise our party has ever conducted.  The decisions made at yesterday’s meeting of our NEC were historic – if approved at conference they will constitute the biggest shake up of our party’s rule book and organisation, ever.

Since last week’s meeting of the Organisation Sub-committee further discussions have taken place on the Refounding Labour recommendations and the impact on our rules have been analysed.  When Ed Miliband introduced the proposals to the NEC he stressed that this was about
building a stronger party at grassroots level that had deeper connections with our trade union levy payers and roots in our communities,  extending beyond the reach of our 200,000 members.  He spoke of Saffron Walden CLP, who I visited on Saturday and discussed with him the previous evening, and how important it is that we help CLPs in similar areas overcome the obstacles to involvement.  The key
changes proposed are;

For our members…

-             Changes to our membership rates which would see;

• the standard rate staying at £41, rising with inflation, with the reduced rate at half the standard rate.
• a new local joining rate of £15, which would also apply to trade union levy payers and registered supporters.
• a new minimum joining age of 14, down from 15.
• a new youth rate of £1 a year for ages 14 to 19, and £12 a year for ages 20 to 26.
• new transitional arrangements which would ensure that members on low initial rates would move first to the reduced rate, and only in the following year to the full rate (if this was applicable).
• clearer promotion of and encouragement to make higher payments according to income.
• a new joining rate for former members of the Armed Forces of £1.
• extension of the Parliamentary rate – which is double the standard rate and currently applies to MPs, Peers etc but not to elected Mayors or members of the GLA – to all elected representatives with the exception of Councillors.

-           Greater involvement locally in selecting policy areas for discussion.

-           A bigger say in our policy making process – reform of the National Policy forum, opening up the process so that it is more accountable and transparent.  This will see all members of the policy forum assigned to a policy commission, the commissions taking evidence from members and external organisations, having clearer work programmes and responsibility in dealing with the policy submissions made by members.  There will be a new tracking system set up to ensure there is an ‘audit trail’ of policy proposals submitted.  The membership of the NPF will be opened up to include one representative of all of our socialist societies, plus a representative from LGBT Labour and our Disabled members, who would now be entitled to attend the NPF as ex-officios, without voting rights.

-              Better technology – the investment in a new online platform to enable communication between members, with elected representatives and facilitate new methods of campaign organisation.

-              Better training of members – the establishment of a Train the Trainer programme to help facilitate members helping each other, better provision of training for activists taking on responsibility for leading their CLPs and extension of the current webinar training programme.  The
Future Candidates programme would also become an annual training event with those who are part of the programme being allocated a mentor and fixed training from the Labour Party.

-              Better recognition of the work members do for our party through better promotion of merit awards, long service awards, honorary membership and sharing best practise at conference.

-           The ability to take part in selecting local and national candidates after six months’ party membership in any area.

For our local parties…

-           Greater flexibility around local organisation – CLPs will to be able to organise themselves according to local circumstances, allowing for delegate-based structures, all-member meetings, or other options.  However these should ensure there is a greater focus on involving local members, working jointly with local trade unions, political debate, engagement with the local community and on campaigning.  The party will be
able to give advice on the varying types of models adopted across the country.

-           Greater flexibility around local structures – CLPs will be free to choose the number and type of officers that will best suit their needs but with the party ensuring the officer job descriptions are updated to give greater clarity on the roles and responsibilities of common officer posts.

-           A new requirement to drawing up a CLP Development Plan to help focus activity on what it wants to achieve in the forthcoming year.  This will be balanced with rewards for improving CLPs or those who are achieving success through local innovation and support for those who are struggling.

-           Better support for CLP Officers who shoulder the responsibility for leading their local parties – e.g. Chairs, Secretaries, Treasurers and election agents – through better, more regular training and a mentoring system.

-           Peer led training on Community Organising techniques.

-           A change to AGM arrangements to ensure that no CLP AGMs are held in the run up to an election.  Clarification has been requested on how the January/December accounting year would fit with moving annual general meetings to the autumn.

-           The replacement of local government committees (LGCs) with local campaign forums (LCFs), which are envisaged to be a smaller functional body which focuses on campaign co-ordination, candidate recruitment and candidate selection.  There will be flexibility for local CLPs and LCFs to agree the membership and structure of those new bodies to best suit their local requirements.

 A revised CLP funding model – I have provided a number of updates throughout the summer in which I have given updates on the discussions we have had on CLP funding.  In my own submission to Refounding Labour I stressed that “There is no process at present for a smaller membership CLP to get any help at all and for its members to play a full role in our party.  This is highly unfair… Funds should be
donated to an internal democracy fund to be distributed to those CLPs with less who would not otherwise be able to send a delegate to conference because of the cost.”  Prior to the payment of membership fees national deductions are taken for the European Election Levy and the Election Insurance payment – these two together cost every CLP currently £665 per year.   When we looked further into this issue we
found that:

• Following those deductions 116 CLPs get less than £445 in cash per year – which is less than enough to cover the cost of Contact
  Creator.
• Last year 25 CLPs received no cash payment at all because their payment was less than the £665 Euro levy and insurance charge.  Instead they ended up in debt to Head Office and for many this means an annual accruing level of debt.
• Over 200 CLPs regularly do not purchase Contact Creator – a base requirement for all CLPs.
• There is a strong correlation between the amount of money a CLP has and their attendance at Annual Conference.
•  70 CLPs have not sent a delegate to conference in the last 3 years.

This is nothing short of scandalous.  I am therefore delighted that the NEC has backed my proposal to introduce a new funding model for CLPs including the introduction of a Democracy Fund.  We have explored a number of options in trying to find a system that was fairer to
all.  The proposal that the NEC agreed to recommend would see;

-           All CLP debt to Party HQ incurred through the non-payment of the election insurance, the Euro levy or linked to past
General Elections will be written off.

-           All CLPs will be provided with a minimum package of support (totalling over £1,200) which will include;

• the payment of their Election insurance,
• the payment of their Euro levy,
• provision of Contact Creator for free and
• the provision of one free delegate pass to our Annual Conference

-           The establishment of a Democracy Fund, to assist those CLPs who even after the changes face difficulties in participating in our democratic process, and a Campaigns Fund to help those CLPs who need it most to win and to fund innovative campaign techniques.  There will be strict guidelines drawn up governing the administration of these funds.

-           To be able to fund this all of this there will be a change to the current amount of the membership subscription given back to CLPs per head of member – all CLPs would now get £1.50 for each member.  The biggest CLPs, including my own, will experience a drop in funding because of this.  However I am confident from that given the feedback I have received that CLPs understand the reasons for this and know that it is for the benefit of the party as a whole.

-           These changes will be phased in so those that will see a drop in their cash income will only drop by half in 2012 and then by the full amount only in 2013.  Those who are set to gain from the proposal will benefit immediately.

Don’t let anyone dismiss this proposal as an irrelevance or a tinkering at the edges – they could only do so if they had never felt the frustration of members who, day in day out, try to fly our flag when the odds as stacked against them.  If you happen to be a Labour activist in a non-Labour constituency which has poor prospects of Labour success and even lower levels of membership life is tough.  I am really proud of this proposal.   It is our minimum wage for CLPs – not just the support they need to get by, but the means by which they will be able to flourish.  It means more CLPs will be able to do doorstep campaigning, enabling greater voter engagement and ultimately more Labour seats – and if those are council
seats to begin with that’s fine, we can built from there.  And they’ll be able to participate in our democratic process – that is a good thing for our party.

For our communities…

A new Clause I is proposed which states that “The party shall bring together members and supporters who share its values to develop policies, make communities stronger through collective action and support and promote the election of Labour representatives at all levels of the democratic process.”

It is proposed that the party allow individuals who do not want to join the party to register as Labour supporters and that these individuals can be recruited locally by CLPs and activists or that they can register online to the party’s national database.  It was stressed that those signed up locally would be held on a local list and would not have their details passed to the national party without their agreement.  Registered supporters could be invited to local CLP social events or policy discussions etc. 

For our Representatives…

-              Those who want to represent our party will be given a clearer understanding of the party’s expectations of them with introduction of candidate contracts.

-              A new clause will be inserted into the rule book setting out the rights and duties of the Leader and Deputy Leader and our MPs.

-              Whilst there was agreement in principle that there should be gender balance on the leadership team it was agreed that a working group should be set up to discuss this with any final decisions postponed to 2012

 For our Councillors…

-              Councillor ALC subscriptions will be replaced with the representative levy of 2%

-              The ALC will gain the same rights as affiliate rights

-              The party will work with the LGA and the ALC to agree a new package of support to councillors.

For our young members…

-           There will be an Annual Youth Conference with a clearer programme of work developed in conjunction with Young Labour.

-           Young Labour will acquire the same rights as an affiliate organisation in terms of being able to submit motions to conference and make nominations in the leadership.  They won’t have and additional vote in the affiliate section. 

For our Scottish Party…

-           It was agreed to create for the first time an elected Leader of the Scottish Labour Party, with the Scottish Executive Committee having primary responsibility over the procedures for electing the Leader of the Scottish Party, where they intend to change the rules so as to widen the eligibility criteria to allow MPs & MEPs to contest the position.

-           All other proposals arising from the Scottish Review will be considered at a special meeting of the Organisation Sub-Committee in October.

For Northern Ireland…

The commitment to enter into discussions with our sister parties about the Northern Ireland CLP’s wish to stand candidates for election in Northern Ireland.

But this is only the start…

I specifically asked Ed and Peter if we could start thinking about how we would implement these proposals if they were agreed at
conference.  We all know that the devil is often in the detail and I want to ensure that we don’t vote on high principles but then see a dip when it comes to delivery.  I’m pleased therefore that it was agreed that an NEC working group would be established to progress the implementation of the proposals.

Next Steps…

All delegates will now be sent a full copy of the Refounding Labour to Win document which outlines all of the proposals being put to conference as well as a full copy of the party’s rule book with the highlighted changes that would arise from those proposals.  Peter Hain has assured us that no delegate will turn up at conference without having had sight of these.  This mailing to conference delegates will also be followed up by an all-member e-mail outlining the issues that will be put to conference on Sunday.

The NEC will meet again on Saturday evening to consider the few issues which are undergoing further discussion including specifically the balance of voting rights at conference and whether registered supporters should have a vote in the affiliate section in leadership elections.
If you have any views on this please do get in touch.

My conclusion…

Much has been made about the deficiencies of the Refounding Labour process.  Has it been perfect?  No.  I have repeatedly expressed concern about the timescales involved, the level of communication to members and the publication of submissions.  Have we been able to deliver absolutely everything on every member’s wish-list?  No.  But the proposals should deal with the biggest issues raised by the majority of submissions.  Crucially, does this give members a better deal than before and the building blocks to a stronger party?  Absolutely, and I wouldn’t support it if it didn’t.  I’m really excited by the opportunities this presents and I genuinely can’t wait to meet those delegates to conference
next year who will, if this goes through, be able to attend and give their CLPs a voice in our democratic process for the first time in years.

Other issues;

-              GS Report – Iain McNicol talked about the internal review of party structures that he, Ed Miliband and Ray Collins have established.  He wants to ensure that all staff and the NEC are consulted in that review and Charles Allen has already started meeting people to discuss their thoughts about how the party is currently and could be better structured internally.  I met Charles recently and found him to be knowledgeable and thorough in his questioning and analysis.

-             Boundary Commission – the huge amount of work that was being put into consulting CLPs on the Boundary Commission proposals and our party’s response was acknowledged.  It was noted that the public hearings being set up by the Boundary Commission would commence on the 11^th October so the party’s national response must be agreed the week after our annual conference.  As this was still being discussed with CLPS it was agreed that an NEC panel would review and agree the final proposed response in the week after conference before it was published.  It was noted that there would be a session at conference on the Sunday for delegates who would like to make any last minute representations on this issue or find out more how their CLP would be affected by the proposals.   It was noted that some of the early selecting seats have had to suspend their elections due to the unforeseen impact of the proposals on their constituencies but that this would be restarted as soon as there was further
clarity on the make up their seats.

-           Conference – much time was spent discussing the preparation for conference with the Chair of the Conference Arrangements Committee (CAC) Harry Donaldson.   It was noted that 181 contemporary motions had been submitted and that an appeals process had been set up to deal with those that the CA had rejected.  It was noted that the party were introducing a smartphone app for conference, in a first for any political party.  The CAC’s decision on this years Merit Awards were noted.  I was delighted to be selected by the NEC to introduce the Health debate at
conference and hope those of you who are attending will be able to make it along for this session. 

This is my personal account of this meeting and should not be taken as the official record but please do pass on to other Labour
members who may be interested.

Keeping in touch…

I made fewer CLP visits in the past month solely due to the fact that most CLPs take a bit of a break over the summer but I have been delighted to be able to visit and talk to members in Leiston & District Labour Party, Maidstone & The Weald CLP and Saffron Walden CLP.

I’m always keen to talk, and provide verbal reports, to CLPs so if you’d like me to visit please yours please don’t hesitate in contacting me and I’ll do my best to get there.

Your CLP reps on the NEC met with Ed Miliband on Wednesday evening to discuss the progress of Refounding Labour.

At that meeting we discussed many of the reform proposals that have been subject to much discussion over the summer including reform of the NPF, the involvement of Labour supporters, votes in the leadership election, a new fairer method of funding CLPs and membership rates etc.

I pressed Ed again about publishing the submissions that had been received in response to the consultation.  I told Ed that members were concerned they hadn’t had a recent update on our discussions and were worried about the timescales for mandating their delegates to conference.  I specifically asked that we update members on the progress of our discussions following the meeting of the NEC’s Organisation Subcommittee the following day.  I also asked how the proposals would be voted on at conference and whether we could consider continuing the conversation beyond conference on those issues where we might need more time to develop our proposals.

I was very pleased that colleagues on the Organisation Sub-committee agreed we should communicate with members on those issues where agreement could be reached as soon as possible after our meeting.  It was a full and lengthy meeting with the committee going through each and every proposed rule change arising from the Refounding Labour to Win document.  The all-member e-mail has now gone out and I hope you now have a greater sense of our direction of travel and the things that will be put to the NEC at our next meeting on Tuesday 20^th September.  If you have any comments or concerns about any of those proposals please get in touch with me directly.  

But that e-mail doesn’t give the full extent of the changes likely to be proposed from Refounding Labour because there are some issues that are still under discussion and there are ‘softer’ issues which don’t require rule changes e.g. commitments to improving technology etc.  Where negotiations continue we should allow them to because if there is any opportunity for agreement to be reached on those before a final position is taken then we should allow that to be explored.  Indeed I’d argue that if we can’t reach agreement in the timescales we have we should consider deferring those issues and consulting further.

Our NEC meeting on Tuesday will agree the final recommendations to be put to Conference.  That will be a historic meeting and as always I’ll ensure that member concerns are represented in the discussions and the decisions we make.  I take my responsibility to you seriously so before then I’ll be checking and re-checking the line by line amendments – a huge amount of work has already gone in to this and I want to make sure that we get it right.  I’ll get you a report of the meeting as soon as possible after its taken place and the party will also send you the full details of the actual textual rule book changes arising from the proposals as soon as possible after the meeting.

All of this is happening at a time when Peter Hain, the person in charge of the consultation, has been standing with his community in one if it’s darkest hours after the tragic death of the four Gleision Colliery miners.  I cannot imagine the pain and suffering those families must be experiencing now but it is surely immense and my thoughts and prayers are with them and all affected in that community.  With the South Wales Branch of the National Union of Mineworks, Peter has launched an Appeal Fund to help support the families of the Gleision miners which I’d urge you to support.  Donations can be made here;  http://www.minersappealfund.org/

Scottish Review

In my last post I explained that I had asked for an update on the Scottish Review.  You will know that the deadline for that consultation closed on Friday 9^th September.  The NEC received the proposals arising from that review on Sunday 11^th September.  Those propose that the party;

• create, for the first time, an elected Leader of the Scottish Labour Party
• open that position to all elected Labour parliamentarians in Scotland, provided they commit to seek election as an MSP and First Minister
• devolve the Labour Party rulebook to the Scottish Labour Party in all Scottish matters, including the rules for the Scottish leadership election, local government processes and selections, and Scottish parliament selections begin the process of restructuring Constituency Labour Parties in Scotland on the basis of Scottish Parliament seats rather than Westminster seats
• establish a political strategy board, meeting weekly, to develop and co-ordinate political strategy with the Leader, Shadow Secretary of State, the leader of the COSLA Labour Group, the party chair, and the Scottish General Secretary
• establish a political base in Edinburgh with press and policy functions

I have asked for further details on these including specifically about, & the implications of, ‘devolving the Labour Party’s rulebook’.

These proposals will be discussed by those of us on the NEC’s Organisation sub-committee tomorrow and at the full meeting of the NEC on the 20^th September.  The NEC will be mindful of the Scottish Executive’s agreement to these proposals.  I would welcome your views on these before our discussions take place.

Funding of CLPs

The issue of achieving a more equitable distribution of money to CLPs has been discussed further.  You will know that we have explored a variety of options to achieve this.

We are now looking at bringing forward a system that would;

-              Cover the cost of the two national deductions – Euro levy and election insurance – for every CLP

-              Cover the cost of giving free access to Contact Creator to all CLPs

-              Cover the cost of one annual conference pass for every CLP

-              Give every CLP a fresh start by writing off all residual CLP debt, incurred before and during the 2010 General Election.

-              Introduce a new NEC Diversity and Democracy Fund which would help the poorest CLPs with the other costs of sending delegates to Annual, Scottish and Welsh Conferences, and for encouraging diversity at a local level.

-              Introduce a new NEC Local Campaigns and Improvement Fund which would specifically support local campaigning in the field – so activity is rewarded and incentivised.

I suggested that we draw up clear public criteria for applications to, and reporting of, where the two new central funds would go and how they operate and this is being worked through at the moment.

As I stated in my previous post this will mean a move away from the current distribution of funds across CLPs and this could mean significant changes for those CLPs with the largest number of members.   We understand that transitional arrangements would need to be deployed to mitigate against the initial effect, allow for proper budgeting and election planning but do feel that this would be a fairer way of ensuring a basic level of provision for all.

I would stress that these are still very much draft proposals and will be discussed further at both the Organisation sub-committee and the full NEC.  I’d welcome your views on this in advance of those meetings.

Meeting Ed

Ed Miliband has agreed to meet those of us who are CLP representatives on the NEC to discuss Refounding Labour this evening.   If you have been reading my blog you’ll have a sense of the issues I will want to raise but if you have any other burning issues please do let me know asap.

Organisation Sub-Committee

The NEC’s Organisation sub-committee meets tomorrow to discuss Refounding Labour further in advance of the NEC meeting next week.  I will try to get what information I can to you as soon as I am able.

I hope you have managed to get a relaxing break over the summer.

Since my last NEC report in July Refounding Labour has remained my top priority – reading through your submissions and engaging in the debate about the issues arising from them.  I know that some members have had concerns about the progress of the project to date and I have sought to address these as best I can.  I recently wrote an article for LabourList where I called on the party to do a number of things to demonstrate our commitment to an open transparent debate before agreeing which proposals would be put to conference.  As we are only a few weeks away from conference I felt it important to give you an update on where we’ve got to and to get your feedback on some of specific proposals currently being discussed.

Draft proposals

You will recall that Peter Hain circulated a summary of the draft proposals currently under discussion last month.   I stressed in my NEC report that this was very much a draft document and should be treated as such.   Since then LabourList have obtained a copy of the full, confidential, report which was put to the last NEC meeting.  I don’t know how they got it but since they have, and other journalists have started writing about the specific proposals it contains (e.g. the story in today’s Guardian), it is now very clearly in the public domain.   Given this I don’t believe it is fair for some members to have copies of it and not others or for members to discover what it contains via reports in the press.  I have therefore attached this here; Refounding_Labour_NEC_15july2011  so that you can see for yourself the full extent of the proposals being discussed and I hope that you will be encouraged by many of them.   The health warning that comes with this however  is that the debate has moved on in many areas since the document was drafted, specifically for example in respect of membership rates and funding for CLPs which I outline in more detail below.  I would however be very grateful for any comments you have on any of the proposals.

Membership rates

We have given further consideration to the issue of membership subscriptions and the different systems that could be introduced.  In the current fee structure there is, albeit perhaps not sufficiently understood, the ability to vary the membership payment according to income.  The current thinking is that with better publicity the current fee structure can be simple to understand and easily enforceable.  We would look to maintain the principle that those members who are low waged or unemployed pay the reduced rate and those members who are also members of trade unions pay the reduced rate.

However we would look to amend it to include the following;

• Low rate of £15 for local joiners – to encourage local recruitment.
• Low introductory rate of joining for registered supporters.
• To encourage retention there would be no large ‘jump’ in payment for low rate joiners, they should move to the reduced rate in their second year, and in the third year move to the rate appropriate for them.
• Adopt the Young Labour suggestions of £1 rate for ages 14 to 19 and £12 (£1 a month) for ages 20 to 26 – with young members moving to the reduced rate at the age of 27 for one year.
• Change the name of the parliamentary rate and make this rate applicable to all other remunerated elected representatives other than
  councillors – GLA members, Elected Mayors and other elected roles.
• Better encouragement to pay according to income band online and through membership publicity – so those that can pay more are
  encouraged to do so – but reassess the income bands so they are realistic and in line with the current fee structure.
• Make the online joining process and membership publicity clearer – ensuring that the reduced rate for low income, trade union members,
  and the unemployed is visibly displayed.
• Make it easy to sign up to monthly direct debit through membership publicity and online joining and renewing.

This would enable us to: achieve a lower joining rate; achieve a lower rate for the low waged and unemployed; include the Young Labour  ecommendations on youth rate; encourage local party recruitment, trade union membership, payment by direct debit and those that can
pay more to pay more; maintains a higher rate for elected representatives (except councillors) and is simple and enforceable.  

Funding of CLPs

You may remember that in my own submission to Refounding Labour I raised a concern that all CLPs face the same cost burden in respect of party fees regardless of their ability to pay and that some CLPS were excluded from our own internal democratic decision making process simply because they did not have the means to fund it.

Since the close of the consultation we have done further research into this issue and that absolutely substantiated the case for changing the way membership subscriptions are distributed between CLPs. Currently, CLPs receive an amount of money based on the number of individuals who are paid up members within their CLP, according to the rate at which those members pay. CLPs with large memberships therefore receive greater levels of membership subscriptions than those with a low membership.

It is right that membership subscriptions should reflect actual membership, not least because this serves as an incentive to recruitment.  But because party membership is closely tied to demography and geography, the reality is some CLPs gain members almost automatically while others struggle to make recruits despite very active endeavours. So the funds that follow members can sometimes seem to reward a CLP for its social location rather than its recruitment drive.

Furthermore, significant differences in the income that CLPs receive from membership subscriptions are compounded by the impact of the flat rate deductions which are taken from membership monies before they are distributed to local parties.   At present, prior to the payment of membership subscriptions to CLPs, a flat rate deduction in the form of the Euro Levy and Election insurance is made.  Following these deductions some CLPs receive no membership money at all and instead incur debt to the national party.  This can act as a disincentive to local fundraising as money raised is first used to pay off the annual incurred debt.

We want to achieve a more equitable distribution of money to CLPs which ensures that no CLP is left in the position where they simply end up with an ever increasing debt burden. A variety of options have been considered including: a flat fee per member; a percentage payment based on current size of CLP; or a cap on cash levels.

We are now looking at bringing forward a system that covers the cost of the two national deductions – Euro levy and insurances – for every CLP.  In addition, we would want CLPs to start a fresh – and therefore residual CLP debt, incurred before and during the 2010 General Election, would be written off.  We would also like to introduce free Contact Creator for all CLPs.  Currently the system for purchasing Contact Creator means that CLPs currently pay VAT payments that cannot be reclaimed.  With boundary changes and local government gains across the country, as a party we need to raise the campaign bar in every seat and Contact Creator is a vital tool in doing that.

Additionally, as I argued in my submission, we want to move to create a new NEC Diversity and Democracy Fund which would help the poorest CLPs with the cost of sending delegates to Annual, Scottish and Welsh Conferences, and for encouraging diversity at a local level.  There is a strong correlation between the amount of money a CLP has and their attendance at Annual Conference.

We are also looking to create a new NEC Local Campaigns and Improvement Fund which would specifically support local campaigning in the field – so activity is rewarded and incentivised, and match funding of projects could be considered, which encourages local fund-raising and activity.

Funding all of this will mean a move away from the current distribution of funds across CLPs and this could mean significant changes for those CLPs with the largest number of members.  We understand that transitional arrangements would need to be deployed to mitigate against the initial effect, allow for proper budgeting and election planning but do feel that this would be a fairer way of ensuring a basic level of provision for all.  I’d welcome your views on this. {

Publication of Refounding Labour Submissions        

I have argued for some weeks now that the Refounding Labour submissions should be published (whilst respecting those that have explicitly requested confidentiality).  I  continue to press Ed Miliband, Peter Hain and, our General Secretary Designate, Ian McNicol, for this so that all members can view them.  I know that they are all committed to this in principle but have had some logistical difficulties with delivery.  I  nderstand the frustration with this and I know that publication is an important step in giving the transparency needed for members to have confidence in the consultative process.  I will continue to press for these to be published in advance of conference and in good time for members
to consider them before taking a view on the proposals put to conference. 

Scottish Review

The deadline for submissions to the Scottish Review is Friday the 9^th September and I have also asked for an update on the recommendations arising from that consultation which might have a bearing on the proposals in Refounding Labour.

Next steps

The NEC’s Organisation Sub-Committee meets again on the 15^th September.  It is at that meeting that we will be trying to pull together  recommendations to go to the full NEC which meets again on the 20^th September.  Both of these are crucial meetings and I will try and get reports out to you as soon as possible after those meetings to let you know the decisions reached.  CLPs will want to ensure they make time between the proposals being agreed on the 20^th and conference to consider what their delegate’s response to those proposals at conference should be.  I am fully cognisant of the very tight timescales on all of this and will continue to press for CLPs to be given as much information as early as possible to try and maximise the time you have to consider your position.

I know this is an extremely busy and critical time and I want to thank you again for all that you do for the party.  If you want to discuss any of this please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me.

For some time I’ve been concerned about a small minority who consistently seek to undermine the Refounding Labour project either because they consistently want to position themselves in opposition to our leader or because they have a vested interest in it failing.  Theirs is not the view of the majority. Whilst there might have been a healthy dose of scepticism in the party at the start of the process most members I’ve met have been enthusiastic about the opportunity to air their views and have welcomed the positive engagement the process has given them. Most members recognise it as an opportunity to take a fresh look at how we do things and are open to change to benefit the party. Most members I’ve met wouldn’t sacrifice the greater good of the party for their own self-interest.

Last night Peter Kenyon posted a proposal on his blog for a special conference to be held at the end of the year to discuss Refouding Labour. John McTernan responded on Twitter suggesting that instead people should simply support the leader and make the changes he wants. I might have
misinterpreted but this to me sounded like rule by dictat which ignored completely the rights and role of members in our party. When I challenged him on it he responded by saying that ‘It’s a party that only succeeds when the leader leads. Doing something about
the unions is critical if we are to win’.

I don’t disagree that a leader needs to lead. I don’t however think that Ed’s leadership needs to be defined by whether or not something is ‘done’ about the unions. I don’t actually think it is helpful to talk about our affiliates in this way. And I don’t think good leadership is imposition of your own will regardless (not that I’m accusing Ed of this, he has not given me the impression that is his position). Good leaders will command the support of the party’s members and will take them with them through periods of change. Those who question the necessity of that should
remember that there is a reason our members rights are enshrined in our rule book – not only does it make political sense (if our members aren’t engaged how on earth can we expect them to deliver our message to the electorate) but we are a democratic socialist party that believes that by the strength of our common endeavour we achieve more than we achieve alone.

Ed knew when he took over that there was an issue with membership engagement – that, to his credit, is one of the reasons the Refounding Labour project was set up. It is a worthwhile process in which many across the party have invested a huge amount of time and effort; 3,255 individual members, 184 parties and 36 affiliates have taken part and there were 66 regional events held to discuss it across the country. I’ve been
to over 40 constituencies myself this year – I’ve seen first-hand the appetite members have for this. That appetite is a good thing for our party. There’s a difference between healthy debate , which we need, and challenging our leader.  Ed needn’t be fearful of that debate but debate there must be.

I know others have some legitimate concerns about the process too. To them I would say that Refounding Labour can still deliver. But it’s success relies on a number of things.

Those who seek to undermine the process should stop sniping from the side-lines and engage in constructive
debate.

It is neither the case that our leader’s, and our party’s, success can be achieved without our members or that every proposal that comes out of Victoria Street is rubbish or a conspiracy against our members. As with all these things the truth, unfashionable as it is, lies somewhere in the middle. So let’s desist with all the conspiracy theories and start engaging in the issues at hand.

We need transparency in the current decision making process.

I have argued here before, and have made the point to Peter Hain on a number of occasions that I think submissions should be published. I know Peter agrees with the principle of this but is confronted with some difficulties.

Some members have explicitly stated on their submission that it is confidential and should not be published. I would prefer this not to be the case but I think we should respect their wishes. There is then the issue of whether it is acceptable to publish all other submissions . It would of course have been easier if members had been told at the start of the consultation that the default position would be that submissions would be published unless they explicitly opted out of that. I don’t know why they weren’t. We can rake over that old ground as much as we like but the point now is that there was no expectation submissions would be published when they were written. But, given the majority of them were submitted online we should be able to use the e-mail addresses we have for those members to check they are happy for them to be published and if necessary I’m sure a few of us would be more than willing to rock up to Victoria Street to help call round them.

I know this is a mamouth task for Victoria Street – I know exactly how much paperwork is involved. But, I firmly believe all of these difficulties can be overcome if the will is there. This needs to be one of our top priorities. Members need to have confidence in the process if they are to have confidence in the decisions which arise from it.

The negotiations that are taking place at the moment on some of the more contentious proposals need to be
genuine negotiations involving all representative parts of the NEC.

I’m sure neither Peter nor my NEC colleagues who sit as representatives of our affiliated unions will need to be reminded that the first rule of negotiation is to have an open mind – be open to compromise. I’ve been reading through the submissions and I’m confident there’s room for agreement if all parties are open to it. To allow that process of negotiation to take place though the press briefings have to stop – the possibility of achieving change on any side when people have already been backed into corners becomes all the more difficult.

And the proposals which impact our affiliates don’t have to be a Union/Leadership issue – they will impact our whole party so it’s right that other members of the NEC are involved in those discussions.

CLPs need to be able to give the proposals due consideration before conference.

It’s great that Peter has sent round a summary of the proposals currently under consideration and you should feed back to us on that direction of travel before our next meeting. But as I said in my NEC report that was very much a summary – there are some good proposals hidden in the detail and CLPs need the full set of worked up proposals in advance of conference in order to mandate their delegate. I’ve already made the suggestion that if timescales here are going to be tight CLPs should be told now if they need to set up special GC meetings to discuss this.

The conversation should continue after, not end at, party conference.

In my own submission I advocated that this should be the beginning of a process not the end, the start of a conversation rather than the conclusion. There are a number of proposals that will easily command majority support at conference and if there’s agreement for change we should just get on and do it. Where more discussion is needed why don’t we have it? Why do we have to feel the need to take all proposals
together and rush to get things through this conference so that we can implement everything in one go? If we allowed conference to vote on chapters of the document we could easily make progress on areas of agreement and reference back issues that needed greater work.

At any rate there needs to be continuous engagement after decisions are taken, through implementation so that all of our stakeholders are supported in that process of change.

Refouding Labour has the potential to bring about great, and good, change for our party. It is too great an opportunity to pass up. But to make it work we need to be united in that objective.