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27 September 2004 Briefing Briefing for delegates published daily at Labour Party Conference and online at www.clpd.org.uk Alice Mahon for the Conference Delegates vote for Arrangements Committee debate on Iraq Despite blatant leadership pressure A vote for Alice is a vote for democracy and manipulation, CLP delegates Alice Mahon MP is standing for election to the Conference have voted to debate Iraq. In a Arrangements Committee (CAC). The ballot takes place to- string of regional briefings Party officials misled delegates by tell- day. All delegates – from both trade unions and constituen- ing them to vote for the four union cies – have a vote for this section of the CAC. We urge you subjects, because there would ‘not to vote for Alice. be enough time’ to discuss other Alice will be a strong voice for matters! democracy and will speak up for ‘If elected, I will strive to The four union priorities — public the right of delegates to discuss ensure that conference is services, pensions, employment issues they consider important, delegate-led, with a real rights and manufacturing — were and will respect the sort of trans- opportunity for full and frank guaranteed to be debated. As a re- parency in decision-making and discussion of the issues that sult of last year’s victory – when accountability to members that delegates have submitted conference voted through CLPD’s conference needs. Alice Mahon resolutions on. Conference is 4+4 rule change – CLPs and un- has an unbroken record of cam- the sovereign body of the ions were each entitled to choose paigning for the issues supported Labour Party. Party members four subjects. by Labour members. and affiliates must be allowed Unfortunately constituency dele- to debate and take a position gates did vote for 3 out of 4 of the This year – once again – many on the critical issues facing resolutions on subjects which union favoured subjects and there- our party.’ fore threw away the opportunity to members consider vital to discuss ALICE MAHON MP were ruled out of order by the debate additional important issues. CAC. They covered issues such But the strength of feeling on Iraq as progressive taxation, Guan- and listen to, its own members. could not be suppressed. Confer- tanamo Bay, selection in educa- The government ministers who ence must ensure the vote is re- tion and civil service job cuts. currently take up constituency spected. No more dirty tricks! Clearly ‘contemporary’ matters places on the CAC have shown such as these were suppressed by they do not effectively represent the current majority on the CAC the members. Labour Party Irish Society using the spurious argument that Alice will be a much needed and the Left Field they ‘have been discussed be- voice for the members and for de- Can Trade Unions make a difference in fore’! mocracy. Northern Ireland? These manoeuvres make a mock- For a democratic conference Monday, 9pm till very late Brighton Charter Hotel, 15 King Street ery of conference. For Labour to and a fair say for members regain its public esteem requires Chair: John McDonnell MP the Party to have confidence in, VOTE ALICE MAHON MP Followed by music from Neck

Campaign Briefing is published by the Campaign for Labour Party Democracy, the Centre-Left Grassroots Alliance and the of Labour MPs

DIRTY TRICKS (PART 3) Public ownership: the right track At the North-West delegates’ briefing Hazel Blears MP used for our railway her position as the only person on TSSA has received tremendous The same can’t be said for private the platform to present the support for our alternative posi- train operators, where it is the leadership’s view on this week’s tion on public ownership for rail – economics of the madhouse. Last policy debates. from both unions and constituen- year they received over half a bil- Despite the introduction of the cies and we put on record our ap- lion more than BR did before it 4+4 rule change, she urged preciation. was sold off. And some fran- delegates to back those motions Everyone realises that this is a chises are even set up so firms are already guaranteed to be backed genuinely popular, vote-winning guaranteed a profit. by the “big four” unions and also policy. Our own independent TSSA wants to see train fran- carefully ran through each of the polling has revealed that two- chises taken back in-house as they NPF minority reports, citing thirds of all voters and 75% of expire; that way it won’t cost the reasons for them to be rejected. Labour supporters think passen- Treasury a penny in compensa- Rail renationalisation would be ger services should be run in the tion. We don’t want to see a BR “too expensive”, advocating public sector, not by private train mark II. But we do want to see a continuing to subsidise the operators. publicly owned railway where private companies. We should reject the council housing There’s been some scurrilous every penny goes to improve ser- minority position because of the briefing that this would cost vices. great benefits ALMOs bring. £20bn because it would mean tak- Please support TSSA’s alternative ing Network Rail back into the position on rail this afternoon. When challenged that there was time for policy debate on the public sector. Nonsense. Net- work Rail can stay exactly as it conference floor, with both sides Gerry Doherty, Gen. Sec., TSSA represented, she argued that she is – a not-for-profit organisation. was expected to provide DIRTY TRICKS (PART 4) “leadership”.

The Acid Test When picking up our ballot Delegate from the NW Region In 1997, when Partnership in form for the Priorities Ballot a Power was introduced, Confer- be-suited apparatchik smoothed National Assembly ence was assured that any alter- up to me to ask if I knew how to Against Racism native positions that were carried vote. I said I was a first-time Monday 5.30—7 would accepted in full by the delegate and so would appreciate Montpellier Room, Royal Albion Hotel, Leadership. Yesterday, for the help. “Do you know about the 35 Old Steine first time since 1997, an impor- TU motions?” he asked. Upon Speakers include: Billy Hayes—Gen. tant alternative position was car- replying in the negative he drew Sec. CWU; Lee Jasper—Sec. NAAR; ried in the teeth of opposition attention to the 4 TU motions Ken Livingstone—Mayor of London; from the platform. The test will and said that shortage of time Claude Moraes MEP; Abeer Pharaon— be whether this is taken on board would prevent more than four Co-ordinator, Assembly for the Protection of the Hijab by Ministers. If it is not, Partner- subjects. Therefore they were Followed by a reception by Unite ship in Power will be exposed as encouraging CLP delegates to Against Fascism: 7—9pm a con! support the TU motions. We did not accept his advice, but instead LLB/SCG/CfS Stay in the hall on followed Campaign Briefing. I Target Labour Government? have lodged a complaint with 7pm Monday, Friends Meeting House, Ship Street Tuesday afternoon the CAC. for the rule changes! Tony Benn, John McDonnell MP, e Smith MSP, Bob Delegate from London Region Crow, Mick Shaw, Christine Shawcroft

Labour: the party of war or peace? 7pm Monday Hilton West Pier Hotel, 137 Kings Road Speakers: Tony Benn, Jeremy Corbyn MP, John Holmes (CWU rep on NEC), Kate Hudson (Chair CND), Sabad Jawad (Iraqi Democrats Against Occupation), Alice Mahon MP, Michael Meacher MP, Keith Sonnet (Dep. Gen. Sec. Unison) Organised by Labour CND, LAP and CND.. 9pm: Peace Connection Social with special guests