Campaign Tuesday 28 September 2004 Briefing Briefing for delegates published daily at and online at www.clpd.org.uk

Enhance democracy in More say for members Young Labour Vital rule changes will be debated today. Delegates should re- The democracy of Young Labour would be dramatically improved main in the hall after the Leader’s speech to make sure they can by an amendment from Hammer- cast their card votes. smith and Fulham. If passed, it Rule amendments offer the potential to increase members’ influ- would mean that young members ence over policy and party affairs. These have been submitted will be able to vote directly for the by CLPs but are also gaining strong union backing. A broad officers of YL. At present officers range of support will get the rule changes passed. Delegates are chosen solely by the National will need to follow proceedings carefully so that they cast the Committee, which is itself not di- correct card vote number for the relevant amendment. rectly elected by, or accountable to, young members. Currently the Support West Better representation YL Conference, open to all young Suffolk – more say at Conference members, as well as Labour Stu- The large number of empty seats dent and young trade unionists, for CLPs on the NEC at Conference is evidence of the only elects the YL rep on the Party’s NEC. Correct this injus- West Suffolk CLP will be moving need for a re-think on Constitu- tice by allowing YL members to a rule change which will increase ency representation. The amend- elect their own officers. the number of CLP seats on the ment from Bethnal Green & Bow National Executive from 6 to 8. will allow CLPs with less than SUPPORT At least four of these will have to 750 members to appoint two dele- be women. Under Partnership in gates. This would give CLPs Oppose glass ceiling Power, the CLP section of the much stronger representation, and Islwyn CLP’s change would roll NEC was reduced from 7 to 6 would mean that a male and fe- back women’s representation. It seats. Yet at Conference, CLPs male delegate could be sent each would set another glass ceiling by have 50% of the votes. The Trade year. If CLPs chose to send only limiting the number of women in Unions have 12 seats on the NEC one delegate, the rules still require delegations and other areas of the and this rule change should be that a woman be sent at least party. OPPOSE adopted to help redress the imbal- every other year. This is a per- ance. fectly sensible response while membership is regrettably falling. SUPPORT National Constitutional SUPPORT Committee elections Delegates should support the sitting Conference to elect the Party Chair member, Rosina McCrae. At the The Party Rules have always stated that the Chair of the NEC is also time of nominations, Scottish CLPs the Chair of the Party. Nevertheless, despite this rule, the leadership were being re-organised, and there decided to appoint an extra “Party Chair” and give the holder a Cabinet was no guarantee Rosina would be seat. If the Manchester Central proposal is carried there would only be nominated. In the event, she was, one Party Chair in the future and this person would be elected by Con- and therefore Russell Cartwright is ference. This would give the post greater accountability. SUPPORT asking delegates to vote for Rosina.

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

Leadership disappearing trick NEC’s rule changes At least one CLP (SW Surrey) submitted a Contemporary Mo- Section A: The Government es- held minority views. Moreover tion calling for a special session tablished the Electoral Commis- faction-fighting and personal of Conference to consider the sion with the aim of capping Tory point-scoring could be encour- question of a possible leadership party election spending and its fi- aged through these changes. At election. This was ruled out on nancing by dodgy overseas mil- the same time the role of the local the strange (and incorrect) lionaires. However, the Commis- government committee is reduced grounds that it was sion is using its powers to inter- with Labour Groups given more “unconstitutional”. A list of all vene in all political parties’ activi- say over policy thus reducing the CLPs submitting Contempo- ties however legitimate. Onerous their accountability. OPPOSE rary Motions that were ruled out responsibilities and duties are have been published in the green causing hard-working voluntary Section D: Gives greater powers CAC Report 1 (pages 12 and 13). officers to throw in the towel. All to the NEC over property owned Except one: SW Surrey has dis- these rule changes give further by local parties. OPPOSE appeared without trace! powers to the NEC over CLPs and other party units.In creating Section E: Would ensure that a DIRTY TRICKS (PART 5) female Young Labour representa- the Electoral Commission the Party officials continue to abuse party may have a made a rod for tive has to be elected to the NEC their positions by exploiting the its own back. OPPOSE in, at least, alternate terms of of- esteem in which delegates hold fice. SUPPORT them. Delegates undecided on Section B: Black and Ethnic the rail issue were called to one members of the party have always Section F: European Party units: side and asked if theY would like been under-represented in its Lays down criteria for Regional ‘a meeting with the Minister/ structures. This section of rule Board and clarifies their role in policy adviser’. More than one changes enables Black and Asian relation to European Elections delegate decided that this ap- members to establish forums. and campaigns. proach made up their mind for This is a welcome move in the them and voted to return rail to right direction. SUPPORT Section G (if tabled): On the eve public ownership. of a General Election campaign, Section C: Council Groups: the Party holds a meeting between No such thing as a free lunch These rule changes impose more the NEC and the Cabinet to adopt Nor information. control over local councillors. the Manifesto. The NEC is pro- Volunteers give their time free to pro- While party discipline should be posing a change to this process duce Campaign Briefing, but we have yet maintained to ensure effective im- which would involve a wider to find anybody giving away paper and plementation of local policies, range of party ‘stakeholders’. ink! these amendments go beyond that SUPPORT So when you see us tomorrow (and Thursday) with buckets in hand, please aspiration to limit legitimate de- be generous. Campaign Briefing will bate and the holding of genuinely have a cover price of £2 for the week.

Palestine Solidarity Campaign and War on Want Socialist Campaign Group of Labour MPs Justice for Palestine Not the Leader’s Speech 12.45 Thistle Hotel, Kings Road 6pm, Brighthelm Centre. North Road Speakers: Gerald Kaufman MP, MP, Chair: MP Richard Burden MP Speakers include: Tony Benn, MP, Kelvin Hopkins MP, John McDonnell MP, Alan Simpson MP, David Taylor MP, Bob Wareing MP, 12.30 Thursday, Belgrave Hotel Christine Shawcroft CLPD & Labour Reform The Way Forward Ann Black [LR/NEC}, Billy Hayes [CWU], Sinn Fein: Working for Irish Unity Ros Stock [LR], Mark Seddon, 1pm Wednesday, Royal Albion Hotel, Old Steine Christine Shawcroft [NEC], Pete Willsman [CLPD] Speaker: Alex Maskey MLA, Sinn Fein