autumn EDITION 2012 ISSUE NO 75 PRODUCTION EDITOR: RAY DAVISON EAST DEVON CLP AND CLPD publication for CLPs and Labour Party Members www.clpd.org.uk (where this CLPD SW REGIONAL ORGANISER newsletter can be downloaded). For detailed and exclusive NEC and NPF reports, internal All enquiries: [email protected] Party news and debates including Shenanigans, visit www.grassrootslabour.net and for lively Telephone 01395 277481 debates where you can contribute, visit www.leftfutures.org or twitter.com/clpd_labour or email CLPD: [email protected]

KEEPING THE LINK: LABOUR Content highlights n Mick Whelan: Keeping the link: AND THE TRADE UNIONS Labour and the trade unions n Peter Willsman: annual Mick Whelan, Now, as the government takes an axe to pub- conference alert – key General Secretary ASLEF lic services, in a bid to reduce the deficit, the rule change proposals from clps, trade union movement is leading the fight to changes to Party policy making, key defend those most at risk. With clarity and Without trade un- votes at Conference in Manchester purpose, the trade unions have set out an ions, there would n Kelvin Hopkins MP: Life with Ed alternative economic case, one in which the be no Labour Party. – news and views from the plp poorest in society, the elderly, the young, the Without the Labour n disabled and the unemployed are not forced Michael Meacher MP: Tory Party many of the to pay for the mistakes of others. In doing so economic policy on fire greatest achieve- the trade unions have forced the Labour Party n Anton Wahlberg: Justice for Lutfur ments of the trade to rethink many of its initial responses to the Rahman union movement financial recession and the line peddled by n Jim Mackechnie: Glasgow would never have government that ‘we are all in this together’. scapegoated for Labour’s failure in become enshrined In large parts the response of Scotland in law. Despite coming under attack in recent and Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls to the gov- n years from both the right of the Labour Par- Keith Ewing: Labour needs a ernment’s austerity programme – that what ty and the left of the trade union movement, watchdog we need is growth and jobs – now echoes the link between the Labour Party and the n Christine Shawcroft: Spotlight on the responses of union leaders to the crisis. trade unions remains as vital today as it ever the npf That is to the credit of both the Labour Party has been. The link ensures that the concerns n Noel Foy: Parliamentary reselection and the unions, and is a message that must of more than three million working people – a suitable case for treatment (cont. on p2) belonging to affiliated trade unions remain n Sheila Triggs: Labouring for Peace, central to the Labour Party’s programme. review of book with same title Of course the Labour Party will never do n Dominic Curran: Spotlight on everything that trade unionists would like it ANNUAL to do, but it remains the only political party n Colin Burgess: A review of Dexter where trade unionists can play an actual role CONFERENCE Whitfield’s In Place of Austerity in determining policy and making sure that the concerns of working people are heard. ALERT 2012 n Tel’s Tales: Neo-liberal blinkers et al Without this historic link, there would no n Laura Davison: Seddon’s World, a way of ensuring working people are elected By Peter Willsman, review of Mark Seddon’s Standing for Something to parliament, local and devolved govern- Secretary CLPD and ment, and to the European parliament, from n David Beere: French lessons for where much of the legislation protecting member of Conference Labour working people originates. From the Labour Arrangements Committee n Kate Osamor and Martha Party’s point of view, the trade unions’ finan- 1981–1994 Osamor: Rebuilding Tottenham cial support ensures that the Party remains n David Gardner: Hang onto the a viable force to fight on the principles on Briefing on the rule change Branches which it was founded. Without this support proposals from CLPs coming up n CLPD TUC fringe and conference the Labour Party would cease to operate in at Manchester any meaningful way. highlights The trade union movement has long n More Bitebacks: the ever snappier At Manchester delegates will be debating and been the biggest driver of equality, helping shots from a political sniper voting on (by card vote) several proposals to to create a fairer and more just society which benefits all of us, not just those at the top. (cont. on p8)

PLEASE PASS THIS NEWSLETTER ON TO ENSURE A WIDE CIRCULATION. CAMPAIGN BRIEFING AUTUMN EDITION 2012 LIFE WITH ED – NEWS AND VIEWS FROM THE PLP

Kelvin Hopkins MP billionaires’ budget and savage spending The voters have done with Thatcherism cuts driving the economy into double dip in all its forms. Neo-liberal capitalism has CLPD got it ab- recession (with the possibility of a decade brought us close to disaster and worse is still solutely right in of “depression” according to the IMF) has to come. It is indeed time to bring forward urging members destroyed the Tories’ credibility. My Tory a bold, democratic socialist programme to to vote for Ed constituency neighbour attacking the “posh clinch Labour’s victory at the next election. (M) as our num- boys” has also helped and the voters are ber two to Diane looking to kick them out a.s.a.p. KEEPING THE LINK There have been a number of similar Abbott in the (cont. from p1) Leadership bal- step changes in public opinion in the past lot. Diane spoke and, once they happen, the victor in that be driven home by both the Party and the for the left in contest normally goes on to win the subse- unions who can address their own members the hustings and quent election. ’s big electoral with a directness that politicians cannot. This shifted the debate lead was overturned by Thatcher’s victory in is particularly true when it comes to reach- away from the the Falklands War before 1983, and Major’s ing groups under-represented in the Labour ground where the heir to Blair felt comforta- Tories were destroyed by the collapse of Party, such as women and ethnic minorities. ble. Since then the Party has felt more at ease their disastrous ERM strategy in 1992. That Only working people can get the coun- with itself. Despite occasional hiccups, Ed step change has now happened to Cameron’s try back on its feet. The work undertaken has shown himself to be more of a unify- Tories. But our own Party leaders now have by trade unions in raising the skills and ed- ing leader, at ease with the Party’s centre and to be asked “where’s the beef ” (with apolo- ucational achievements of the workforce, who can even listen to the left. Ed’s speech at gies to vegetarians for the carnivorous meta- creating equality and diversity – which the the Durham Miners Gala proved immensely phor)? What indeed are our policies for the CBI and the TUC agree increases productiv- popular, from the grassroots to the PLP. It future? What is to be done to rebuild from ity and profit – and looking beyond short- reaffirmed the Party’s trade union link and the ruins of Tory Britain? termism to create a genuinely sustainable put him in touch with Labour’s heart and Mocking Cameron at the despatch box economic vision is central to our economic heartlands. is great to watch and Ed has done well, recovery; as is a sense of cohesiveness that Labour now has a substantial lead but voters are asking on the doorstep what has nothing to do with the ‘Big Society’ and amongst the electors. Ed has overtaken our policies are? Tory bashing alone is not everything to do with fairness, both in the Cameron in popularity, and the Thatcher- enough and implying that smaller cuddly La- workplace and outside it. The Labour Party ite fifth column in the form of “” bour cuts would be OK but nasty big Tory was founded on a desire for fairness, but has been exposed for what it is by our trade cuts are not is absolutely wrong. All cuts are only with the help and support of the trade union brothers and sisters. Its millionaire deflationary when what is needed is reflation unions will fairness ever become more than backers are continuing to fund constituency and in particular additional spending in ar- an aspiration. selections for their favoured candidates, but eas of high labour intensity to bring down When Margaret Thatcher attempted to at least Party members now have no illusions unemployment. Construction and the public sever the link between unions and the Labour about its nature. services are just such areas, precisely those Party with the 1984 Trade Union Act, which The best news is that the Tories have which the Tories are cutting. required unions to regularly ballot members blown it and are unlikely to recover. The The whole Party must now engage in on whether they wished to continue pay- the process of developing policies for vic- ing into their union’s political fund, it was tory next time, and those policies should a direct attempt to cripple the Labour Party be advanced and promoted at Conference, while reducing the influence of the unions BITEBACKS not simply decided by faceless apparatchiks on policy. Having tried and failed to break behind closed doors. The leadership must the link once before, the recent Kelly Report ‘Economists on the left are warning listen to Labour’s grassroots, to trade union- on party funding recommends changing the that spending cuts lower growth and ists and working people across the board, emphasis on unions to ask their members to tax revenues, increasing deficits and to families with children, to pensioners and ‘opt-in’ to the political fund, rather than the creating a downward debt spiral. Their to young people. And the Left must also be current ‘opt-out’. This has the potential to opponents argue that unless spend- heard. Re-democratising Conference is vital devastate the Labour Party, and with it any ing and deficits are cut, interests rates in that process. Conference in recent years hope the unions have of ever over-turning will soar, putting a further damper on has become a dull and lifeless rally for the draconian anti-union legislation. growth. Evidence from Greece and leadership, not a democratic policy maker Not only should trade unions encourage Spain support the left. The failure of for socialism. their members to join and play an active role interest rates to rise following the US Ed has shown himself to be a listen- in the Labour Party, but members of the La- downgrade throws the right’s argu- ing leader and a number of us on the left bour Party, including elected members, must ments into question.’ in Parliament have had discussions with him be actively encouraged to join a trade union. (Irwin Stelzer, Sunday Times 21/8/11. from time to time. (I personally never had Only in this way will the Labour Party re- NB: Stelzer is a right-wing neo-liberal a discussion with Blair or Brown, although main a viable fighting machine and trade un- American economist.) I have to say this was a mutually agreeable ions continue to make the voice of working arrangement!). people heard.

2 CAMPAIGN BRIEFING AUTUMN EDITION 2012 TORY ECONOMIC POLICY ON FIRE – OSBORNE IS KAMIKAZE, BUT WHERE’S LABOUR?

Michael Meacher MP Second, Labour is at last – though far too stand model, SMEs, and innovation and late – recognising the need for a jobs and technology. To ensure this happens, most of With Osborne as- growth strategy. But if the Party is going to the banks should be in the public sector. sailed from every carry conviction and not just appear to be quarter, from the moving with the tide of wider opinion, it Lastly, Labour has so far followed the dis- IMF and the Brit- should acknowledge that its previous adher- astrous Tory policy of imposing the costs ish Chambers ence to a ‘cut less far less fast’ policy was a of the folly of the bankers’ ramp exclusively of Commerce as badly mistaken adoption of a pseudo-Tory on those of average and low earnings, while well as from the policy driven by very different motives (i.e. letting the rich completely off the hook. Left, Osbornom- shrinking the state). Since the richest 1,000 persons, according ics is toast. With to Rich List, made gains the latest UK Third, Labour must not just chant the of no less than £155bn (yes, billions) over growth figures ‘jobs and growth’ mantra: it must spell out the last 3 years of austerity, this has been showing a very in detail how it will be delivered if Labour’s a monumental error. If these gains were serious contrac- conversion is to be seen as real and if the taxed at the current capital gains tax rate of tion of 0.7% in the second quarter on top public is to be assured that Labour has a 28%, it would yield £43bn – enough, with- of falls in the two previous quarters, the UK solid, practical and affordable plan to de- out any additional public borrowing at all, economy is now a disastrous 4.5% below its liver it. That requires a strategy for a major to fund the creation of up to 2 million jobs peak just before the financial crash. Manu- revival of manufacturing, the rebalancing in the next 2-3 years. Alternatively (or in ad- facturing and construction are slipping back of the economy away from finance to in- dition), if the £4 trillion owned by the UK’s badly, and services have failed to grow. Bank dustry, the wholesale restructuring of the top 10%, which is 5 times the size of the lending to industry is now at the worst trend banking and wider finance sector, and a country’s entire accumulated national debt, since 2009, with a £3bn fall hitting SMEs radical programme to flatten unacceptable were made subject, in the current desperate hardest. Britain is now the only country in inequality not only for reasons of social financial situation facing Britain, to a one- the G20, apart from Italy, which is in double- justice but to ensure a level of aggregate off wealth tax of 20%, that debt could be dip recession. And to cap it all, Britain’s in- demand within the economy at a steadier wholly wiped out. So why is Labour going debtedness is still growing. Apart from that, and higher level. so soft on the mega-rich? We’ll never get everything’s fine! Manufacturing could secure a stable their votes, but we need their (fair) contri- flow of affordable funding if the Big Five bution to get the jobs and growth strategy banks, after a run of historically unprece- going on which the future of Britain now “Osbornomics is toast” dented scandals, were broken up and made depends. to focus on the needs of domestic indus- But where does Labour stand? It now try for infrastructure, house-building and has a regular 5-10 points lead in the polls, but the foundations for the future low-carbon that is driven largely by the unending stream economy. The strategic sectors of British BITEBACKS of Tory mega-mistakes. To establish a real industry need to be protected from foreign lead on the economy, Labour now needs to acquisitions by major changes in the takeo- ‘We do not need to be Einstein to see do 4 things: ver rules and from the break-up of crucial that the growing inequalities of wealth supply chains by privatisations and whole- here and elsewhere in the world create First, Labour is still held back because, sale sell-offs. And SMEs need both fund- a parallel universe of unequal power whilst the public despises Osborne’s poli- ing and technical assistance to move up to relations. Thus the wealthy and power- cies and hates the results, they still believe higher tech levels to better protect them ful, secure and protected, sitting on that all this austerity has been forced on the from Asian competition. their nest eggs, can impose, with glee- country because the last Labour govern- The key to rebalancing the economy is ful impunity, austerity on the impotent ment blew it with gross over-spending. La- to regain public control of the money sup- poor.’ bour has allowed, and is still allowing, the ply. At present the banks largely invest their (Ray Davison, Of Power and Austerity, Tories and their right-wing media friends money in property, overseas speculation and June edition of On Target, the newslet- to get away with this blatant canard ever elaborate tax avoidance contrivances, and ter of East Devon CLP which Ray since 2010. In fact the budget deficit at only 8% goes into productive investment. Davison edits.) mid 2007 was just 3% of GDP and only That has to be radically reversed. rose to 11.6% in 2010 because of the bank The banks have to be wholly restruc- ‘G. Brown notes that if bankers had bailouts. Indeed for three-quarters of its tured. They are over-weighty within the paid themselves 10% less between 13 years in office the Labour government economy, dangerously too big to fail without 2007–10, this would have covered the ran a lower level of public expenditure colossal taxpayer bailouts, scandal-ridden, £50 billion black hole in bank capital than Thatcher did in her lowest spending poorly managed, and not primarily focused that the British taxpayer had later to year. Until this lie about the Labour record on British industry at all. We need smaller provide to save our large banks.’ is firmly nailed, the Party will continue to banks specialising in infrastructure, knowl- (, Beyond the Crash, fights its economic corner with one hand edge and science industries, green economy, quoted in Chartist, July-August 2011). tied behind its back. regional networks on the German Mittel-

3 CAMPAIGN BRIEFING AUTUMN EDITION 2012 JUSTICE FOR LUTFUR RAHMAN: THE CASE FOR REINSTATEMENT

ANTON WAHLBERG, couple to prove adultery. In , all it 1000 new socially affordable homes per year, NUJ MEMBER takes is a rival with a dodgy dossier assembled in order to tackle the borough’s chronic over- from the worst of the Tory Press to unseat a crowding problem. He is bringing all council Although Tower Hamlets has the wealth distri- democratically chosen mayoral candidate! homes up to Decent Homes standard. He has bution profile of a least developed country, the While currently Independent Mayor Lutfur reinstated the Education Maintenance Allow- borough has made big improvements in edu- Rahman’s reputation was restored even by the ance, making Tower Hamlets the first council cation, housing and other social services, both Press Complaints Commission, which ruled in Britain to do so. Under his leadership, the under Labour control and now under an ex- against the scurrilous articles that formed so borough also became the first local authority Labour executive Mayor. Even so, in the media much of the dossier, he remains outside the to pay all workers the London Living Wage, a it has become a by-word for corruption and Party he has served for decades, while those cause that Ed Miliband has passionately cham- incompetence, but that reputation owes less to who made accusations that were subsequently pioned. He is setting up an Energy Coopera- reality than to perceptions fanned by a disturb- proven unfounded remain in. Throughout the tive that will offer an alternative energy suppli- ing alliance of New(ish) Labour and old-style process Party apparatchiks have assumed guilt er to residents, slashing hundreds of pounds stitch ups, with conservative little Englanders with no opportunity for him to rebut the case. per year from gas and electricity bills. He has epitomised by the Telegraph and Mail. Now the injustice, and damage to the not closed a single library, unlike Brent which What they share is an evocation of the Party, has been compounded with the sum- has closed six, and, unlike Haringey which last pernicious traits of Islamophobia in this mary expulsion of five councillors for alleg- year announced plans to cut youth spending country and other parts of the West. New edly supporting an independent supporter by 75%, in Tower Hamlets spending on youth Labour apparatchiks were so tainted with it of the Mayor in the election. They were services is actually increasing. that they suspended the candidacy of former not given notice of the move, let alone an While other parts of London were in Labour Leader Lutfur Rahman for alleged opportunity to rebut the charges, and quite flames during the riots, Tower Hamlets, “Islamist” links. The affair reveals disturbing rightly point to the contrast with the promi- whose youth have every reason to protest dis- prejudices – and the cynical use of them in a nent Labour figures who actively called for parities of wealth in Tory Britain, stayed quiet. campaign almost reminiscent of the Koch/ the defeat of Livingstone in the London This has gone beyond the rights or Tea Party onslaught on Obama. elections – with seeming impunity. In the wrongs of individual Party members: in- On the evidence of Tower Hamlets, all meantime, a councillor who was arrested creasingly at stake is Labour’s relationships it takes to remove a rival in the Labour Party for assaulting fellow members and uttering with large numbers of politically active peo- – at least a Muslim one – is to hint at “Is- death threats in the council chamber retained ple of Muslim origin. The Party should set lamist” links. That guarantees a reflex that is the Labour whip, while the police considered up a commission to inquire into the Tower not only shamefully racist but also abandons pressing charges. Even though they dropped Hamlets Party with a view to reconciling the all pretence to the standards of justice that them, the incident does little to enhance the various factions, reconstituting the Party and we presume to hold in opposition to “Islam- prestige of the beleaguered council readmitting members who have been loyal to ism” and Shariah Law. Many of the Labour group on the council its principles and represent a large constitu- Indeed, in one school of the latter, it takes team up with the Tories to thwart the poli- ency of those on whom Labour depends for four adult male witnesses trying – and fail- cies of the expelled Mayor, policies which put victory. Otherwise, it will be giving a gift to ing – to pass a thread between the copulating most Labour councils to shame. He is building the deservedly flagging fortunes of Respect. GLASGOW SCAPEGOATED FOR LABOUR’S FAILURE IN SCOTLAND

JIM MACKECHNIE, CLPD had decades of service as elected members. zarre view was taken that Labour councillors REGIONAL ORGANISER IN The vast majority were highly respected in – especially those in Glasgow – had been re- the communities they represented. sponsible for this defeat by ‘not campaigning’. SCOTLAND AND FORMER Over the last year Glasgow City Labour All the evidence, however, both from Party GLASGOW CITY COUNCILLOR Party (LGC) had seen a substantial change sources and independent commentators, in composition, with a significant number of shows that the backbone of campaigning As Autumn 2011 saw Scotland preparing for new delegates being elected by their CLPs. teams is local councillors and their families. this year’s local authority elections, Party of- Most had no experience of panel selection. After the 2011 election, the SNP started ficials masterminded a massive cull of Glas- It appears that Party officials and other sen- to claim that winning control of Glasgow gow City’s Labour councillors. Fifteen out of ior figures took advantage of this to impose a City Council in 2012 would be ‘a stepping forty-seven sitting councillors were rejected clear-out of ‘dead wood’ and those who were stone to independence.’ It was to be the lit- for the panel of candidates. Another three ‘not good enough’. This panic measure was mus test of their growing success. were denied an interview as they had previ- prompted by the Scottish Parliamentary Elec- With the local council elections looming, ously been placed under suspension – one tion results in 2011 where the SNP won an the Party took the decision to interview all sit- for almost two years – for various alleged absolute majority and Labour lost four con- ting Labour councillors. This is not normal acts of misconduct. Some of those rejected stituency seats in Glasgow. Somehow the bi- (cont. on next page)

4 CAMPAIGN BRIEFING AUTUMN EDITION 2012 Labour needs a watchdog

PROFESSOR KEITH EWING to think in turn about other aspects of Party ent and would be someone to whom com- management, particularly in light of the ex- plaints of irregularity and impropriety could Earlier this summer, I attended the selection perience of the last 15 years or so. be referred, someone in whom all members meeting for a new parliamentary candidate How can members deal with the situa- would have confidence. for Cambridge. About 200 people turned tion where a candidate is foisted onto a Con- Consistent with the values of a demo- up on a Saturday afternoon to the Assembly stituency Party, or where there is an alleged cratic socialist party, the Ombudsman should Hall at a local school. irregularity in the selection of a candidate, be elected by the members in a membership- The meeting was conducted in an ex- perhaps in the counting of votes? wide ballot, the election to be confirmed by emplary manner. Five would-be candidates Is this beginning to ring any bells? It is Conference. were on display, and all did very well, a fu- true that it may be possible to bring a com- Once appointed, the Ombudsman would ture Cabinet minister amongst them. Each plaint under the rules to be dealt with by the have wide powers under the rules to investi- had a fair opportunity to speak and to ac- disciplinary procedures of the Party, or that gate complaints referred. It would be for the count, and no one in the meeting was – fairly someone sufficiently motivated could bring Ombudsman to decide which complaints to or unfairly – shut out. a complaint in the courts. pursue. The satisfaction I felt about the way in But both of these procedures are flawed. If necessary the Ombudsman could ini- which the meeting had been conducted in The member’s concern may not be that there tiate disciplinary action where appropriate, accordance with the best practices of a dem- has been a breach of discipline – there may if his or her investigations revealed a breach ocratic socialist party led me to reflect on not yet be enough evidence. And no one of the rules. In conducting this work he or what would have happened had the meeting should be required to incur the expense of she would be accountable to Conference and been conducted differently. legal action to vindicate Party rules. subject to periodic re-election. Suppose any of the would-be candidates This is why the idea of a Party Ombuds- No one anticipates that the Party Om- had been unfairly treated, and that an attempt man is so attractive – someone to whom budsman would be especially busy – it is un- had been made by an organised minority to members within CLPs and affiliates can turn likely after all to be a full time position. But control the proceedings? Or an attempt was when something is not quite right or very Party members are entitled to see some clear made to silence any members who did not badly wrong. This would apply not only to commitments to Party democracy from the support a particular candidate? selection foul ups, but to all aspects of Party new leadership. What redress would there be in such a activity. The Party Ombudsman would be a small case? How would complaints of irregularity A Party Ombudsman (like the Parlia- – but important and symbolic – step in that or unfairness be investigated? That led me mentary Ombudsman) would be independ- direction.

GLASGOW SCAPEGOATED candidates whom they felt were doing a good been lost, not because they lost the confi- (cont. from previous page) job. While the City Party could have tried to dence of the electorate or their local Parties, stand up to central Party control, they did but because of the well organised interfer- procedure but is permitted under the rules, not – probably due to the widespread inex- ence of paid officials of the Party. but only with the agreement of the Scottish perience in their ranks. Many of those subse- (Editorial note: this is an abridged ver- General Secretary and the NEC. Immediately quently newly elected will fit in well with the sion of Jim’s article. The full version will prior to the commencement of the inter- managerial ethos that dominates the Party. appear on CLPD’s website. Please note also views, it was announced that Ken Clark, a for- The reaction of Glasgow MPs and MSPs that Jim was not a victim of the cull and did mer London organiser, had been appointed was almost totally hostile to the cull. During not contest the May elections). as ‘’s Head of Local Govern- this period the hustings for the elections of ment’. It is widely agreed that from that point Leader and Deputy Leader of Scottish La- in time, he ran the show. bour were taking place and all the candidates BITEBACKS As the outcomes of the Panel interviews who were questioned on the matter expressed became apparent, it was obvious that each their repugnance at what had happened. ‘The existing rules set out the duties councillor had been privately assessed on an The City Council Labour Group’s major- and restrictions on members of the individual basis prior to being interviewed. ity was steadily reduced between October and Labour Party but recent experience of To this day nobody knows what the criteria the May elections. By the day of the election, top down management of the Party were. Certainly the questioning at the inter- defections had left Glasgow City Council of- has demonstrated that these rules, views took an unusual track, downplaying ficially designated as ‘no overall control’. and the Party as a whole, would now council work and years of involvement with Those who supported the cull claimed it benefit from a Charter of Members’ community groups, but probing about indi- was entirely justified as Labour resumed its Rights and an official code of ethics vidual voter contact and campaigning. One previous absolute majority on the Council, concerning the running of the Party. interviewee likened it to going for a driving securing 44 of the 79 seats. (Glasgow First The enforcement of these rights and test for an ordinary car licence and being fielded candidates in every ward, but won the investigation of complaints as to given the test for a HGV. only one seat.). their breach will need to be under- The axe appeared to be waved indiscrim- The downside to this saga is that local pinned by the work of an independent inately – left or right, male or female, old or Party democracy has been seriously eroded ombudsperson.’ young, Asian or white, senior councillor or and precedents set for much more central (CLPD supporting argument for a rule backbencher – none was safe. control in the selection of local government change to create a Labour Ombud- The outcome was that local Party mem- candidates. In Glasgow, a whole tranche of sperson. ) bers were denied an opportunity to re-select experienced and dedicated councillors has

5 CAMPAIGN BRIEFING AUTUMN EDITION 2012 CLPD SPOTLIGHT ON THE NPF IN ACTION

CHRISTINE SHAWCROFT, whilst we appreciate that Party staff are ticipants in the workshop opposed Trident, NEC MEMBER AND CLPD snowed under with work, Party members are even one who had just stood for re-election a resource which isn’t being used, and that a on the Progress slate in his region. I was very EXECUTIVE MEMBER proper division of work with people tasked concerned about the continual use of the with monitoring, summarising and drawing word “deterrent”. If we are to have an hon- The NPF delegates who travelled to Aston in up alternative positions on each topic would est debate in the Party on the issue, we have June were repeatedly told by the Party leader- help everybody. to dump value laden terminology like that, ship that there is a new commitment to making The quality of the discussion in the and participants agreed not to use it in fu- the work in an open, workshops, certainly the ones I went to, was ture. I also attended the workshop on hous- transparent and democratic way. Previous very high. Lots of interesting points were ing in the private and social rented sector NPFs have been marred by long and tedious made, and good ideas came forward. We which represented a big shift in the Party’s platform speeches, making the weekend more were promised that these would be included thinking on the issue, with commitments to of a listening shop than a talking shop, but the in redrafted documents for Conference. At looking at good practice in the private sector welcomes from the new Chair and the Leader the first afternoon plenary session we were in places like Germany, and a new awareness and Deputy Leader were kept to a minimum given a choice for the next day: did we want of the need for affordable, well designed so- leaving us to go off into workshops. to carry on with workshops based on Policy cial housing. There had been rather a tight timetable Commission documents, or would we like to At the final plenary, a paper on improv- to get submissions in for this meeting, al- have further discussions based on two top- ing the NPF process was circulated, which though it was made clear that Policy Com- ics for each Commission which had come suggested several reforms which have been missions were still accepting them. The out of today’s deliberations? It was agreed put forward by CLPD over the years, includ- ones that had made the deadline ran to four to have the latter, which is how we managed ing the right to put amendments to policy hundred pages. Several Party members had to get a discussion on the future of Trident documents at Conference. Unfortunately this done sterling work trying to summarise sub- (notoriously unmentioned in the Britain and has subsequently been watered down by the missions, which was greatly appreciated. In the World document). National Executive Committee, so perhaps fact, the point was made several times that To my surprise the next day all the par- things aren’t going to be so different after all.

PARLIAMENTARY RESELECTION – BITEBACKS

A SUITABLE CASE FOR TREATMENT ‘When you look back at the 1945 La- But it does happen now and again that all bour Cabinet that constructed the wel- LABOUR MUST REJECT fare state, the contrast (between past TRIGGER BALLOTS or a majority of Party Branches vote for an ‘open’ selection process and the affiliates vote and present Labour MPs) is almost for automatic re-selection (as they invariably obscene. The giants of Clem Attlee’s NOEL FOY do). government (Bevin, Bevan, Morrison) (Noel worked for the Labour Party in Scot- For the sake of argument let’s assume were all from working-class back- land until retirement, member of East Lo- that Sweetborough CLP is doing re-selection grounds… It was the trade unions and thian CLP and chair of his local Branch, of its MP. It has 283 members organised in local government that had provided member of the GMB). six Branches. When voting closes all Party them with the ladders to climb, ena- Branches have voted for open selection. bling them to end up as towering po- Who cares about Parliamentary re-selec- However, seven affiliates vote for endorse- litical figures and respected statesmen.’ tion? Not many it seems. And after all why ment of the sitting member who is automati- (Owen Jones, Chavs, 2011 p.105.) should they? It’s a minor problem, not worth cally re-selected. CLP members in this situ- ‘One of the maxims of the West Wing bothering about. But pause for a moment: ation might feel aggrieved and say that local spin doctors was never, ever, accept suppose there is widespread dissatisfaction Party opinion should prevail. And they have the premise of your opponent’s argu- with a sitting MP, suppose CLP members a point. ment. Eds M and B are now unable to believe that without action their seat may Some have said that the answer is to bring see an opposition premise without not be lost. How do Party procedures cope with Parliamentary re-selection in line with selec- just accepting it, but embracing it, hug- this? The answer is badly. Re-selection, as it tion by introducing OMOV. This seems un- ging it to them and loving it to bits. All stands, is geared to one outcome only – re- likely to happen. The option of raising the this, of course, creates the view among adoption of the incumbent. bar so that the incumbent must secure a two the voting public that Tory policies, We all know how re-selection works. An thirds majority of the Electoral College is a however unpleasant, must be right.’ Electoral College of Party Branches and af- step in the right direction but does not go far (Christine Shawcroft, , filiates decide by a simple majority whether enough. February 2012). or not to ‘trigger’ an open selection process Giving Branches votes in re-selection ac- (where other candidates, in addition to the cording to the number of delegates they ap- This is an issue that won’t go away. There sitting MP, may be considered) or simply point to the GC would be more democratic were problems in the last round of re-selec- confirm the sitting member as the Party can- and give due weight to local Party opinion. tions and there will almost certainly be prob- didate. Each Party Branch has a vote, as does Importantly, it keeps the link between affili- lems in the next. And when it goes wrong the each affiliated Branch. In most cases Branch- ates and Constituency Parties but gives CLP fallout is catastrophic for everyone involved. es and affiliates agree so job done. members a greater say in the outcome. This is an issue badly in need of sorting.

6 CAMPAIGN BRIEFING AUTUMN EDITION 2012 LABOUR’S NEC: A TRADE UNION VIEWPOINT

JIM KENNEDY is a real unity of purpose within the NEC on this issue. As Chair of the Organisation Committee BITEBACKS I am the National Political Officer of UCATT, I see a wider unity of purpose, all sections of member of the Labour Party National Execu- the Party moving forward determined that ‘During the 1930s the Tory Govern- tive Committee, and Chair of the NEC Or- this will be a one term period of opposition ment became committed to collective ganisation Committee (Org Sub). only. I believe that unity of purpose has been bargaining. This was seen as a way to I also hold the grand title of Convenor of created by the election of Ed as leader and increase wages and thus increase de- the NEC Trade Union Group and, although assisted by the appointment of Iain McNicol mand – classic Keynesianism. In 1938 an impressive title, it actually means I’m the as General Secretary. the Tory minister for Labour actually person who arranges pre-NEC meetings for Iain has been doing a tremendous job in spelt out this commitment in parlia- the trade unions. difficult circumstances. His financial plans ment. In 1945 the Labour government NEC trade union members work as a are tackling head on the problems we have energetically took up the cause and ac- functioning and effectual group. Our pri- had over a sustained period. It has been a tively pressed for collective bargaining. mary responsibility is to ensure the effec- baptism of fire and he has had to take some By 1946 collective bargaining covered tive governance of the Party. Be it disputes, difficult decisions but we are seeing the rea- 86% of the workforce. In 1980 the fig- selections or financial stewardship we, as a sons he was appointed by the NEC: he is ure was 82%. However, by 1997 it was group, do our business with the due dili- resolute, cerebral, inclusive and, as he holds down to 36% and is 32% today. During gence expected of anyone who holds the a karate black belt, a jolly nice bloke. the last 30 years there has been a huge privileged position of an NEC member. transfer of wealth from labour to capi- Since becoming Chair of the Organisation tal. This is reflected in the ballooning of Committee, I have seen the integral support “Ed’s philosophy... personal debt.’ given by Party staff. They are often at the recognises that Westminster (Professor Keith Ewing, speaking to blunt end of others’ actions; however, the CLPD officers, January 2012). intellectual contribution, the commitment cannot be reflective of and the accessibility they offer are often be- society when 34% of all MPs ‘They don’t come much more blue- yond the call of duty. went to fee paying schools” blooded than Sir William Robert Fer- Just as CLP members of the NEC are an- dinand Mount, third baronet, Eton swerable to the members who elected them, Ed’s philosophy and direction for our and Christ Church, whose cousin is so are we. As a Trade Union Group we look Party has started to resonate not only with David Cameron’s mother. He ran Mar- at the direction of the Party, its structure, the naysayers within our own Party but also garet Thatcher’s policy unit in Down- its finances and of course its policy-making. with the wider electorate. Of particular ing Street and has been a lifelong and On policy, the unions were extremely disap- note, and this is something that resounds loyal Conservative. Yet he has written pointed in the remarks made earlier in the with me, is his mission to increase working the most explosively left-wing book year about public sector cuts; the announce- class representation in Westminster, some- in decades. No Polly Toynbee, Kevin ment was wrong and completely unneces- thing long overdue from a Labour leader. Maguire or any of the coterie of the sary, and the trade union members on the He recognises that Westminster cannot be left commentariat would dare to write NEC expressed the anger our members felt reflective of society when 34% of all MPs such an attack on current economics in firm and unambiguous terms. On policy went to fee paying schools. He recognises and the craven capitulation of our rul- making we now have Angela Eagle as Chair that although the Labour Party has a large ing politicians to unaccountable, un- of the National Policy Forum (or whatever it percentage of MPs from the public and elected, unwholesome money men and has been rebranded as by the time you read voluntary sector, it also has 27% of its nomenklaturists who control the Brit- this), and all sections of the Party have wel- MPs from a political background or occu- ish state and all our lives.’ comed the freshness and vitality that she has pation. And he recognises that just 4% of (Denis MacShane reviewing Mount’s brought to the process. I think everybody MPs coming from manual trades is unac- The New Few or a Very British Oligarchy, had become tired and a bit cynical about ceptable. Ed’s appointment of Jon Trickett Tribune 15/6/12). the previous process and, without Angela’s to oversee the question of working class drive, it could have looked like we were try- representation will hopefully see the step ‘The negative way in which Labour ing to give the kiss of life to a dead body for change required to get more people from talked about social security (aka wel- the third time. the manual trades through the selection fare) while in power helped to fuel As a Trade Union Group we supported process. its unpopularity. Ed Miliband recently the TULO submission into the reforms re- Finally, on selections, this is always an spoke of the importance of the value quired by PiP and actively pursued these emotive issue. The decision of AWS or of solidarity. A decent social security within the NEC. All affiliated unions were open selection will invariably disappoint scheme represents the institutional signed up to the TULO submission and that someone. Decisions are deliberated and embodiment of that value and is es- was reflected in the representations we made supported by contemporary data from the sential to help people cope with grow- both at the Organisation Committee and the region and Party headquarters. We all need ing economic insecurity. Labour must NEC. We need to emerge with a democratic to ensure selections are fair and free from defend it in the name of solidarity and process which enjoys the confidence of the undemocratic interference. All candidates security.’ Party. I don’t think our concerns are particu- are entitled to a fair opportunity to present (Ruth Lister, Labour, House of Lords, lar to us but are shared by the Socialist Soci- their electoral platform without undue in- Guardian 19/5/12). ety and CLP reps on the NEC. In fact there fluence of funding from outside our Party.

7 CAMPAIGN BRIEFING AUTUMN EDITION 2012 ANNUAL CONFERENCE ALERT

PETER WWILLSMAN'SILLMAN’S ANNUAL restoring a more effective Annual Confer- South propose) would be an even stronger CONFERENCE ALERT, ence. Bridgend is proposing that CLPs mechanism of democracy and accountabil- and unions should have the right to amend ity. Delegates need to rescue Annex Reports (cont. from p1) NPF documents at Conference. It is abso- from the long grass by supporting Islington lutely right that Party organisations should North. change the Party’s Rule Book. Most of be able to have their views tabled at our The platform will say that this matter these will be from the NEC, but two are Party’s Sovereign body. Bridgend doesn’t is ‘under review’ and ask for the Islington tabled by CLPs [Bridgend CLP and Is- specify when and how amendments should North rule change to be remitted into the lington North CLP]. The latter two were be submitted. In order not to frighten the dustbin. Don’t be bamboozled! Vote for Is- submitted last year, but under an obscure powers-that-be too much, it could be agreed lington North! convention (known as ‘the 1968 Ruling’) that direct amendments from CLPs and un- have been delayed for a year. This one ions would only be allowed in the year that The CAC is out of order – Justice year delay applies to all rule changes sub- the final stage policy documents are being for CLPs! mitted by CLPs and unions, but does not considered. It is already the agreed practice apply to rule changes from the NEC. The that, at this final stage, CLPs and unions An identical rule change (from Leyton and NEC can (and has!) agree rule changes can send amendments to the NPF. But this Wanstead CLP and from Rochford and one week and have them voted on by means that CLPs and Unions have to rely on Southend East CLP) has been ruled out conference the following week. the grace and favour of NPF reps in order completely illegitimately. The rule change Last year, in addition to the rule for their amendments to be progressed. If sought to establish the new position of a changes from Bridgend and Islington the Party leadership is serious about giving Party Ombudsperson. This person would North, a further twelve rule changes more influence to members and CLPs then, investigate all complaints of dubious and were submitted by no less than a total at the final policy stage, CLPs and unions unethical conduct within our Party, includ- of 28 CLPs. All of these were ruled out should have the right to submit their policy ing complaints against full time Party offi- by the Conference Arrangements Com- amendments direct to Conference for a de- cials. A cynic might argue that this is pre- mittee (CAC). In some cases the ruling cision. In order to establish this vital prin- cisely why Party officials might like to see out was completely out of order and in ciple delegates must vote for the Bridgend this particular rule change redirected to the many cases it was highly questionable. It rule change. The platform will say that this dustbin! is all too obvious that the powers-that-be matter is “under review” and ask for the When submitting their rule change the do not want pesky CLPs interfering with Bridgend rule change to be remitted into two CLPs simply proposed adding a new their preordained rally, which is what An- the long grass. Don’t be bamboozled! Vote clause 10 (establishing a Party Ombudsper- nual Conference has degenerated into. for Bridgend! son) to Chapter 1 of the Rule Book. And And this despite the protestations from they asked for the existing clauses to be re- Ed Miliband et al that they take CLPs se- Support rule change from numbered. The rule change from the 2 CLPs riously and want to listen to them. Unfor- Islington North CLP was correctly printed in last year’s Delegates tunately these fine words do not butter Report. But in the version of the rule change any parsnips. This important rule change seeks to make shown subsequently to the CAC, the office Annex Reports to Annual Conference from had added “Delete the current Clause 10”. Support rule change from the NPF more democratic. Annex Reports They then used this deletion as the basis for Bridgend CLP gave an account of the action that the NPF recommending that the Leyton and Roch- had taken in relation to each of the Con- ford rule change be ruled out! The office This is a very important rule change temporary Motions/Issues that were con- also argued that since “a very similar propos- proposal and agreement on this basic sidered by the previous year’s Conference, al” from South Ribble CLP was defeated in principle would be a big step towards consequent to the Priorities Ballot in that 2011 then Leyton and Rochford are caught year. Conference could then assess to what by the ‘3-year-rule’. But South Ribble was extent the Contemporary Motion/Issue had proposing a Code of Ethics for our Party, Key votes in Party been treated seriously by the NPF. It was not an ombudsperson. Also South Ribble elections a way of holding the NPF to account. But was trying to amend a different chapter in last year no Annex Reports were presented the Rule Book. The ‘3-year-rule’ states: The National Constitutional Com- and it looks as if the ‘powers-that-be’ have “when Party conference has made a mittee (constituency section) redirected them to the long grass. But Con- decision on a constitutional amendment, n Vote: Mark James (Greenwich ference should have a specific report about no proposal to amend that part of the and Woolwich CLP) what has happened to the Contemporary constitution or rules of the Party shall Motions carried the previous year. Whether appear on the agenda for a period of Conference Arrangements Com- these were labelled ‘contemporary motions’ three years”. mittee general section or ‘contemporary issues’ is neither here A completely different chapter is clearly n Vote for Mick Murphy (Unite) nor there. Annex Reports are an important not the same part of the constitution! n Vote for Jane Taylor (Unite) mechanism of accountability. Minority re- The definition of the word “part” has ports within Annex Reports (as Islington a major significance because the CAC has

8 CAMPAIGN BRIEFING AUTUMN EDITION 2012 ruled out most of the 12 rule change pro- democratic. But in reality they ensured that it basis. This is a step backwards for Party posals from the 28 CLPs by employing a Annual Conference was reduced to a happy democracy. blanket application of the word ‘part’. They clappy rally and that policy making was cen- l In the year prior to a General Elec- clearly maintain that if there is, say, a gigan- tralised and in the hands of an unaccount- tion each Policy Commission will pro- tic clause, covering lots of different parts/ able and neo-liberal clique. duce a ‘final year document’, which will topics, then even the most minor successful The NEC is now proposing some im- draw upon all the previously agreed poli- rule amendment, to only one small part of provements. The introduction to their latest cy papers from earlier years. At this stage that clause, automatically means that noth- document is encouraging – “we need real CLPs and affiliates will be able to submit ing whatsoever in the whole clause can be change to transform how we make our poli- specific amendments for consideration touched for another three years! This has cy. So we will change Partnership into Power by NPF reps. This is the existing arrange- to be an incorrect interpretation. Unfortu- to give Party members more of a say and to ment. It would be much better if CLPs nately it suggests that the powers-that-be reach out to supporters new and old.” What and unions could submit their amend- have a deep seated hostility, perhaps sub- we are getting is hardly a transformation, but ments direct to Conference, rather than conscious, to what they see as pesky CLPs it is some steps in the right direction. These having to rely on the grace and favour of having ideas above their allotted station. will include: NPF reps. Had the originators of the ‘3-year-rule’ l An online ‘policy hub’. This will pub- l Once agreed by the NPF, and meant ‘clause’ they would have put ‘clause’ lish National Policy Forum (NPF) policy then by Conference, the ‘final year docu- but they put ‘part’. Obviously ‘part’ was papers. Members (and the general public) ments’ form the Party’s Programme on generally intended to be something smaller will be able to suggest amendments, make which the General Election Manifesto is and more discrete than a whole clause. The comments and have a general argument. based. CAC needs to give the matter more thought There will also be provision for members l The current six Policy Commis- and stop treating CLPs so unfairly. This in- to engage with the Party’s elected reps on sions will be renamed and reorganised to justice must be addressed! current policy issues outside the formal focus on Labour’s key priorities. All NPF NPF process. reps will be able to attend meetings of Our Party must end its neglect of l A new power for Annual Confer- one Policy Commission. the working class ence to shape the work of the NPF via a ‘Policy Ballot’, which will identify key topics Ed Miliband and the NEC are beginning for consideration. These will then presum- to address this major issue and some pro- ably be taken up in NPF policy papers. The BITEBACKS posals may be put to this year’s Confer- ‘Policy Ballot’ will operate alongside and in ence. The NEC has commissioned a sur- addition to the existing Priorities Ballot at ‘If we compare the present policy- vey, which reveals that only 9% of Labour Conference. making process with the previous MPs have a manual working background, l Every June the NPF will consider long-established practice of decision- whereas 27% have a political ‘bag carrying’ the policy arguments generated by the NPF making by Annual Conference, there background. As Iain McNicol has pointed policy papers that were published during the are several major advantages of the out, if these percentages were representa- previous year (arguments that have taken earlier system. It generated contribu- tive of the public at large, then over six and place in Policy Commissions and on the tions from 100s of CLPs. The latest a half million people would be working for Hub). The NPF will choose between differ- NPF consultation attracted responses MPs etc! ent political positions on a simple majority from only 35 CLPs. Furthermore, at The Executive Committee of Unite has basis. Final policy papers will then go to the the Annual policy-making Conference, recently endorsed a political strategy that JPC and then on to Annual Conference for a ordinary members could speak directly commits the unions to working in the Party decision. There seems to be no provision for to power.’ to end this disgraceful situation. If it is not minority positions at Conference, which is (Ann Black in a recent report to mem- ended Labour will suffer an enormous elec- contrary to the existing arrangements. Con- bers.) toral penalty. In the words of the Unite doc- ference will simply vote on a take-it-or-leave- ument – “we aim to end the discrimination against working class candidates, BAME and women candidates for public office. That SUNDAY’S PRIORITY BALLOT to make sure issues important to CLPs only 4% of the MPs in Parliament are from get a hearing, CLP delegates must make manual occupations is a notable part of the USE YOUR VOTE, their choices on different subjects from crisis of working class representation. 55% the union four, thus giving Conference come from public relations, politics and the DON’T WASTE IT the opportunity to debate four subjects media. This must change – we have it in our from the CLP section of the ballot and power to do so”. CLPs must give guidance to their del- thus eight subjects in all. Delegates are egates about how to vote in this ballot. likely to come under illegitimate and even Changes to Party policy Above all they must be made aware that browbeating pressure from Party offi- making there is no point whatsoever in wasting a cials, including parliamentarians, to rep- vote by supporting any of the same four licate the union four, thus restricting the Ed Miliband has recognised that the existing resolutions supported by the unions in number of issues. Don’t be fooled by this policy making procedures, dubbed ‘Partner- the ballot even if, as is likely, you support undemocratic malpractice. CLPD will ship into Power’, are past their ‘sell by’ date. any or all of them. The union four are be advising delegates of the four union They were introduced during the dark ages rightly guaranteed automatic inclusion for choices in the Sunday edition of its Yel- of Blairism and had the appearance of being debate. To maximise range of debate and low Pages.

9 CAMPAIGN BRIEFING AUTUMN EDITION 2012

LABOURING FOR PEACE BITEBACKS

SHEILA TRIGGS, FELLOW who was among the founders of the Fellow- ‘Charles Beard in 1947 described the na- ACTIVIST IN THE WOMEN’S ship. tional security doctrine of the US presi- In 1971 the LPF became Labour Action INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE dent as “perpetual war for perpetual for Peace, (LAP), widening its base beyond peace”.’ FOR PEACE AND FREEDOM totally pacifist members. But throughout its (Mehdi Hassan, Guardian 20/8/11). REVIEWS FOR US: history, LAP activists have worked to pro- mote policies of peace and socialism within ‘Two-thirds of Margaret Thatcher’s first Labouring for Peace, by the Labour Party. The different political is- cabinet opposed buying the US Trident sues of each period in this history includ- Grace Cookall-Greening missile system and the chiefs of staff ing nuclear weapons, international relations, were not unanimous. But the Downing and Rosalie Huzzard. wars, the United Nations and Labour Party Street papers show that this did not stop conferences and resolutions become easy the “Iron Lady” from going ahead with This short and accessible book (just £5 from to follow with the clear sub-headings that the deal behind their backs.’ Housmans Bookshop) is the story of dedi- break-up the text. (‘Missile Defence’, Guardian 30/12/11). cated activists within the Labour Party work- Over the years, leading activists from ing for peace over the past seventy years with Fenner Brockway, Frank Allaun and Robin the organisation Labour Action for Peace Cook, to Ron Huzzard, Walter Wolfgang and Labour Party in office. This has been true in (LAP). Tony Benn, have taken to the LAP stage to particular in the New Labour years. In 1940, when the Second World War try to mould the policies of the Labour Par- Labouring for Peace is a positive testimony had already begun, the Labour Pacifist Fel- ty. Their lifelong efforts have been heroic. to numbers of activists and MPs who have lowship (LPF) was set up by socialist inter- But this book reveals the tragedy of a Party made the decision that the Labour Party nationalists, within the Labour Party, who system where resolutions passed with over- continues to offer the possibility of a social- opposed the war. In our current political cli- whelming majorities at a Labour Party Con- ist and peaceful alternative in international mate, it may be difficult for readers to grasp ference – even in the days when conference and domestic policies. The challenge for the strength of the support at that time for resolutions were supposed to count – were them has been how to make this happen. the principles of peace, socialism and dis- ignored by the Party leadership when writing Whether or not you agree with their analysis armament among Labour Party members, the subsequent Party manifesto. Peace poli- of the road to peace within the UK, this is a including the pacifist MP cies in opposition were abandoned by the fascinating and salutary history.

YOUNG LABOUR NEEDS AUTONOMY

DOMINIC CURRAN FROM alism with real social democratic policies to ates, they have to get a rule change passed LABOUR STUDENTS PUTS deal with youth unemployment, the housing by Party Conference rather than decide it for crisis and child poverty. themselves. THE SPOTLIGHT on THE What is clear is that in Young Labour A key demand for improving our youth CONSTRAINED WORLD OF there is much potential and energy to cre- section is to give real autonomy to young LABOUR STUDENTS ate the vibrant and independent youth sec- members so they can decide how their or- tion that would be a real asset to the Party in ganisation is constituted and in what ac- It has been an eventful year for those in- campaigning and reaching out to young vot- tivities they wish to take part. This would volved in our Party’s youth and student ers. I went to the European Young Socialists’ not necessarily mean becoming a socialist sections, yielding some success for those summer camp in Croatia in July and was re- society but merely becoming a fully auton- who seek to increase their autonomy and ally impressed by the strong and well organ- omous youth section. A way of achieving democratise their internal workings. Under ised young socialist groups from all over Eu- this would be for Conference to pass a rule Refounding Labour, last year’s Party Con- rope that provide their mother parties with a change to transfer responsibility for the ference gave Young Labour most of the stream of committed and experienced young majority of Young Labour’s internal con- rights of a socialist society, a measure wel- activists. These youth organisations are what stitution to the youth organisation itself. If comed by young members. Furthermore, Young Labour in Britain should aim to be this were to happen then young members in the run up to the Labour Students’ Na- like. would have a far greater level of autonomy tional Conference in February, a really well One of the things that limit Young La- in their organisation, allowing Young La- organised campaign sprang from almost bour in fulfilling this potential is its lack of bour to develop as a more effective youth nowhere calling for OMOV in elections to autonomy. Despite the various rights won section. the National Committee and winning many for Young Labour in Refounding Labour, Other issues such as the lack of ac- democratic concessions within the organi- real autonomy is still some way off. Cur- cess to membership lists continue to hold sation. rently Young Labour’s constitution is merely back Young Labour and the remedying of Furthermore, in a real landmark for the a chapter in the Party’s rulebook, rather than this situation must remain a key demand Party’s youth section, Young Labour held being a standalone document for an au- of young activists. But winning a greater its first ever policy conference in June. At tonomous organisation. We currently have measure of autonomy would be a huge the conference a real centre-left consensus the absurd situation that if young members leap forward in improving the Party’s youth emerged with a desire to confront neo-liber- want to change how Young Labour oper- section.

10 CAMPAIGN BRIEFING AUTUMN EDITION 2012 REVIEWS

COLIN BURGESS, justice, public investment, high quality ser- THORNBURY & YATE CLP vices and employment, universal provision and sustainable development. On recon- structing the state, Whitfield bases himself DEXTER WHITFIELD’S IN on the United Nations. PLACE OF AUSTERITY, Unlike most alternative strategies, this RUSSELL HOUSE, is well researched and although much work needs to be done in re-developing the insti- NOTTINGHAM, 2012 tutions to ensure that any possible devils in the detail are kept minimal, with the neces- Let me start by saying that this book is not sary political will, the suggestions offered an easy read, but one that all Labour Party here are practicable. We need to take up and trades union people should buy, read, these strategies and run with them. Another and keep by them as they struggle to resist world is possible! the restoration and consolidation of capital- ist class power. Whitfield says that he had four key ob- jectives in mind when writing the book: BITEBACKS a) to develop a theoretical framework to the fragmented glimpses beneath the surface better understand neo-liberal transformation of everyday life. The model satisfactorily ex- ‘“Big society” rhetoric is all too often of public services and the welfare state; poses the liberal-democratic myths around heard by many as aspirational waffle b) to expose the myths of commission- the Big Society. The underlying state/mo- designed to conceal a deeply damag- ing, localism, big society and empowerment; nopoly capitalism is creating as a cloak a ing withdrawal of the state from its c) to promote action strategies that can “corporate welfare state” as the citizens’ responsibilities to the most vulnerable.’ stop, slow down and/or mitigate the nega- welfare state is privatised. However, there (Faith in the Public Square, Rowan Wil- tive consequences of these policies; is still some way to go before a useful theo- liams, quoted in The Observer 24/6/12). d) to advance a framework of policies retical framework is produced. In the mean- for the reconstruction of the economy, state time, the work of David Harvey (2010/11) ‘It is a fallacy to assert that a sovereign and public services. The Enigma of Capital, the only theoretically government, with its own currency and The purpose of this review, then, is to based author that Whitfield quotes, gives the its own central bank, is ever short of assess from our point of view the extent to perspective within which his theory should money. How do we think major wars which we can feel that he has succeeded. To be viewed. were financed? If a Labour govern- do this you have to take Whitfield’s first key ment is returned in 2015 with a pro- objective seriously because it informs the gramme for restoring output and em- other objectives. “The objective is to establish ployment it will have no difficulty in From his considerable previous work on a fundamental return to finding the money. Labour needs to the social reality of our times, Whitfield has values of collective solidarity, stop pandering to public prejudice, and indeed abstracted four empirical generalisa- become the Party of full employment.’ tions: financialisation, personalisation, mar- public interest and social (Michael Kennedy, Former economic ketisation, and privatisation. These four he justice” adviser at the Treasury and British em- joins rather loosely together into a model of bassy, Washington, Guardian 24/1/12). the neo-liberal public sector transformation. The centre part of the book is devoted Starting from the demand for public goods, to reconstruction strategies. “Reconstruc- ‘Thank heavens for the bonus culture the model runs through the increased finan- tion” he says, “has three inter-connected that enables UK banks to recruit top cial control of the public’s activities and the parts – new economic policies, alternative people. Imagine what a shambles they personalisation of consumerism, with its policies for public services and [citizens’] would be if they were run and staffed input of neo-liberalism and corporate/busi- welfare state, and a new public service man- by greedy unprincipled muppets.’ ness interests. Economic activities then run agement”. These need to be understood as a (David Guest, Guardian 29/6/12). through the marketisation of, for example, whole. This is an example of what our previ- the NHS and the resulting commercialisa- ous Labour governments called “joined-up ‘One former executive described how tion of services and labour, embedding thinking”. If Ed Miliband based his strategy Apple relied upon a Chinese factory business interests and restructuring demo- on these suggestions, it is possible to be- to revamp iPhone manufacturing just cratic accountability and user involvement. lieve that he would find enough support to weeks before the device was due on the These processes culminate in the full-blown stay in power long enough to be able to put shelves. A foreman roused 8,000 work- privatisation of public property. The real these thoughts into practice. The objective, ers inside the company’s dormitories. consequences, intended or unintended, of Whitfield says, is to establish a fundamental Each employee was given a biscuit and these processes, wrapped up and obscured return to values of collective solidarity, pub- a cup of tea and within half an hour by liberal-democratic ideology, are capitalist lic interest and social justice, rescuing them started a 12-hour shift fitting glass accumulation by dispossession and the dis- from speculation, greed, exploitation and screens into bevelled frames.’ empowerment of the public. self-interest. The reconstruction strategy (Network to Get Products Made, The The model is massively documented with needs to be based on seven core principles, New York Times 29/1/12). data, and is itself useful in gathering together including democratic accountability, social

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Lurking in the Shadows through the riots, but accepted as a gift a looted pair of shorts. She was not given the TEL’S TALES In recent months there has been a lot of talk option of returning them; instead, she got about the very well-heeled Blairite Misnomer five months. Neo-Liberal blinkers organisation (also known as ‘Progress’). The right wing slate for the Party’s NEC was even Watt a prat! David Cameron was quick to claim cred- dubbed ‘the “Progress” slate’. But this is a it when General Motors decided not to misreading of the situation. The slate was Peter Watt, Labour’s former General Sec- close the Ellesmere Port car plant. If the a – ‘Progress’ slate. It is the retary and Blairite, disgraced himself by Tory government were not so blinkered it long established, but shadowy, Labour First going public with bitter criticisms of Gor- might reflect on the fact that General Mo- that pulls the strings. The two successes on don Brown during the 2010 General Elec- tors would no longer exist, were it not for their slate were from Labour First, whereas tion campaign. Recently he has been gob- the bail out by Obama as part of his gov- the ‘Progress’ reps on the slate disappeared bing off on a website with his views about ernments’ economic stimulus and growth without trace. benefit claimants. According to Watt, “they policy. Labour First goes back to the bad old don’t work, but never seem to be short of days of Frank Chapple; its guru is John a bob”. The Sunday Times pointed out that Next General Election? – Spellar, who was Chapple’s loyal bag carrier. this is just the sort of talk Tories want to Getting the facts right For years senior officials and general secre- hear from the PM, although the newspa- taries of both the Labour Party and some per suggested that it was probably a bit too The hacks in the media are wrong to say Unions have operated in the Labour First right-wing for Cameron. But clearly not too that the LibDems are trapped in the coa- underworld. In the unions they call them- reactionary for a former top official of the lition. The recent Fixed-Term Parliaments selves Members First and, presumably, the Labour Party. Act rules out a snap election. An election new right wing group called ‘Scotland First’ before 2015 can only be called if there is comes from the same stable. On the few oc- Be cool: read Leftfutures a two-thirds majority in the House vot- casions that they emerge blinking into the ing for a dissolution of parliament, or if daylight, they pretend that Labour First is The most discerning Party members – and an existing administration is defeated on only a mailing list. Pull the other one! by definition this includes the readers of a no-confidence vote and a new adminis- Tel’s Tales – should check out the website tration cannot be cobbled together within The Conservative and Leftfutures.org. If you don’t have a com- 14 days. Thus, were the LibDems to break Unemployment Party puter then use the free ones at the local li- with the Tories, Cameron would have to brary, like I do. Leftfutures is pretty much soldier on as a minority government. If In the old days the Tories were called The a daily Tribune, with links to lots of other this were defeated, in a confidence vote, he Conservative and Unionist Party. A bet- good stuff. The regular pieces by CLPD would not be able to dissolve parliament. ter title would be ‘The Conservative and member Michael Meacher on economics Instead, Cameron would have to resign and Unemployment Party’. Once in office the and inequality are always worth reading. the Queen would have to send for Ed Mili- Tories always force up unemployment as How about this for a statistic! – out of 27 band. Only if our Ed were unable to form a a deliberate strategy. This is in order to EU countries, only Estonia has a higher lev- government would there then be a general strengthen capital and weaken labour. A big el of poverty among the unemployed than election. wig at the Bank of America Merrill Lynch the UK. This is because the benefits paid As Prof. Vernon Bogdanor has pointed has spelt this out very clearly – “A decrease here are among the lowest in Europe. Over out, there is a case for Labour trying to get in government employment, in govern- the last 40 years unemployment benefit has the LibDems to simply switch sides. From ment wages, and in unemployment benefits been cut by 50%, as a proportion of aver- the LibDems’ point of view this might well can have positive effects on the economy age earnings, to just 10%. Over the same have the major advantage of saving many of because it makes the labour market less period, the total remuneration of FTSE their parliamentary seats. If they stay with tight and weakens unions’ power” (Investors chief executives rose by more than 1,000%. the Tories they will lose most of their MPs. Chronicle 7/10/11). The ignorant Peter Watt needs to read Left- But after a more popular Lab-Lib (minor- futures. ity?) government they could do quite well in Its the poor wot gets the 2015. blame BITEBACKS One rule for all We have heard about Boris Johnson walk- ing off with a cigar case, about Nick Clegg I am not calling for tighter disciplinary rules as a student setting fire to two greenhouses ‘As early as 2000 the gap between New within our Party. On the contrary, I think and about celebrity chef Antony Worrell Labour promise and its practice was they should be more light touch. But I am Thompson, caught by security cameras on set out in the . I thought calling for even handedness. For example, five separate occasions putting only some the New Labour project was to make in Tower Hamlets rank and file members items through the self-service check out ma- our ideas into the dominant ideas of are constantly facing expulsion for any de- chines. Nothing much seems to have been the society, in an enterprise of advo- viation from total support for Labour. But done about any of this. But a ‘rioter’, who cacy and persuasion and example, not what about Party donor Lord Sugar tell- walked off with £3.50 worth of water bot- to take the dominant ideas we found ing people not to vote for Ken?! And what tles, was jailed for 6 months. lying around after the Thatcher years about well connected blogger, Dan Hodges, Michael Gove claimed thousands in and make them into our ideas.’ writing “Ken Livingstone is right; it’s him dodgy expenses; then when found out (Tony Wright, Doing Politics, Biteback or Boris Johnson. That’s why I’m voting he apologised and paid the money back. Publications.) Boris”?! A mother-of-two from Manchester slept

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Conference dressing room, you get a sense out. He certainly gives the inside track on SEDDON’S of the enormous fun to be had alongside the the workings of the NEC and the time he serious business of political dissent. spotted Rupert Murdoch being schmoozed Beyond the anecdotes there is analysis in Downing Street. His view of David Cam- WORLD of New Labour control freakery and its ul- eron is summed up in the anger he feels timate hollowness, from someone who has when the Tory leader with typical low nasti- Laura Davison, National seen it through – joining the Party aged just ness calls Dennis Skinner a dinosaur. Union of Journalists 15. Mark describes himself as an outsider The book’s star character is really the leg- Official and Member of but many people in the book seem to take endary Gay Hussar restaurant. It hosts theat- the view that it’s better to have him inside rical dinners and plotting meetings with style Folkestone and Hythe CLP, the tent where he can be supervised than and even provides pull out-beds for the tired reviews Mark Seddon’s and emotional who take shelter there. There Standing for Something – are certainly a lot of spirits, of all kinds, on show. The book also gets its own back on Life in the Awkward Squad people who left Mark with the bill. (illustrated by Martin The book concludes at the pivotal mo- Rowson), Biteback 2011. ment in August 2011 when the coalition government was forced into a judicial in- What really makes this book is Mark Sed- quiry following the shock news of the hack- don’s ebullience, charm and good humour as ing of Milly Dowler’s phone. The evidence he delves around in the seamy backside of that has emerged from the Leveson inquiry national and international politics and jour- will fill many books, but it would be inter- nalism. It’s part travelogue, part journal, part esting to hear Mark’s take on it and how he sketchbook, the brilliant Martin Rowson car- sees the way forward for British journal- toons adding extra pizzazz. ism. When Leveson reports there will be an The book is disarming in its honest opportunity to change fundamentally the account of cock-ups and failures, not all political and journalistic consensus so ter- Mark’s fault, which litter his recent history. rifyingly captured in the final pages of the His travels and travails take us through his book in Martin Rowson’s cartoon of a puk- Al Jazeera days in New York and on insight- This brilliant cartoon is reprinted here with Mar- ing Rupert disgorging Thatcher, a slavering ful visits to Libya, Poland and China among tin Rowson’s very kind consent. It looks even better Blair and finally a tiny infantile Cameron. We others. From the international incident in in Mark Seddon’s book and there are several other need people like Mark around to make sure the lavatory of the North Korean general, great cartoons and a foreword by Martin as well. Get this moment is seized, both from the inside to confronting Blair’s toilet backstage in his yourself a copy post haste. and out.

DAVID BEERE OF BANBURY CLP with the public were enacting laws against ex- These levels of support are from all vot- SAYS WHAT LABOUR NEEDS IS cessive prices (81% approval)), an income tax ers and go up with Labour voters So pro- rate of 45% above €150,000 income (80%) gressive, social-democratic proposals such as and reducing the retirement age to 60 for those these resonate with the electorates on both FRENCH with 41 years of contributions (75%). sides of the channel and refute the argu- In case you think that support for Hol- ments of those ever ready to advocate timid- LESSONS lande’s policies ends at Dover then contem- ity in policy development. La lutte continue plate the following levels of support for the and… Hollande won. Politicians often claim they don’t follow opin- policies shown below in a very recent You- ion polls. Footballers often claim not to look gov poll. The percentages shown are those at the match reports on a Monday morning. showing total support. BITEBACKS But we all know the truth of the matter. • Reducing the deficit: 85% approval It is, of course, true that opinion polls can • Redistributing wealth from the richest in mean all sorts of things, but they do mean society: 70% approval ‘Of the monarch’s opinion of Blair, something – even if it is not what you think! • Creating jobs and reducing unemploy- Bedell Smith claims: Elizabeth II once However, it could be that Labour should ment: 95% approval said: “I think he’s in the wrong party”.’ cast an eye on some polling that was done • Creating economic growth: 95% approval (Sunday Times 8/1/12). during the French Presidential campaign. It • Introducing a top rate of 75% income might come as no surprise to learn that ‘Left tax for those earning over £1m a year: ‘Rightwing Tory backbencher Nadine sympathisers’ would support a marginal rate 56% approval Dorries said: “Unfortunately, I think of income tax of 75% on those earning, well • Reducing the state pension age to 60 that not only are Cameron and Os- receiving (!), €1m a year. But the percentage for those who have worked 41 years or borne two posh boys who don’t know support (90) is sensational. The policy won more: 63% approval the price of milk, but they are two 50% from sympathisers of the ‘Centrist’ • Establishing a state owned bank that will arrogant posh boys who show no re- Democratic movement, whose leader, Bay- lend to small and medium sized busi- morse, no contrition and no passion to rou, backed Hollande in the second round. nesses: 74% approval want to understand the lives of others There was 69% support from FN sympa- • Building 500,000 houses a year including – and that is their real crime”.’ thisers. Only with sympathisers of Sarkozy’s 150,000 council houses: 64% approval (Quoted by Tom Clark and Patrick UMP did support fall to 20%. • Introducing a tax on financial transac- Wintour, Guardian 24/4/12). Other ideas of Hollande that found favour tions by investments: 61% approval

13 CAMPAIGN BRIEFING AUTUMN EDITION 2012 REBUILDING TOTTENHAM

KATE OSAMOR AND MARTHA On 6 August 2011, Duggan’s relatives tives were denied access by the police and OSAMOR (MEMBERS OF and local residents marched from Broadwa- the IPCC to put the community’s point of ter Farm to Tottenham Police Station. The view forward. The community has felt that TOTTENHAM CLP) demonstrators wanted information from the policing was and remains both of an op- police about the circumstances of Dug- pressive and racist nature. Broadwater Farm is an inner city estate in gan’s death. A chief inspector spoke with The shooting of Mark Duggan was one Tottenham. Built in the early seventies, it the demonstrators who demanded to see a in a series of illegal procedures and methods consists of 1063 dwellings that at present higher-ranking officer. The demonstrators not just in Tottenham but also in Brixton, accommodate more than 2000 people from waited over five hours and no senior ranking Manchester, Bristol, Toxteth. The people of different ethnic and social backgrounds. officer came to address the demo. The scene the inner cities seemed to have been targeted Senior citizens, single mothers and ordinary turned ugly and the rest is history. for a concerted attack by the repressive forc- families share a physical environment that There have been many stories about es of the state. has become increasingly inadequate due to Mark Duggan but few go beyond a super- As soon as the death of Mark Duggan structural and design faults. ficial account, creating an atmosphere of became known to the wider community, it It was a hard to let estate, so the coun- fear, terror and crime for their readers. The would only be a matter of time before the cil adopted a policy of concentrating single media, as usual have chosen to sensation- shared feeling of justified anger and bitter- parents families, single young black youths, alise several unfounded, unsubstantiated ness would explode onto the streets. elderly white tenants and a large number of stories about the estate rather than find out people from all over Haringey that had been the truth. Reality is not deemed to be trust- How do we move forward and previously labelled ‘problem families’. De- worthy. rebuild Tottenham? picted by the media as a ‘nightmare estate’, When the media focus their cameras it acquired a reputation as a dumping place on the Arab spring, they tell us of innocent Despite all these barriers, grassroots people for problem and homeless families, a haven people being shot in Syria and Libya and the have proven through positive and united for crime and burglary. Under false pretenc- need to go and support the rebels against the community action that we can make a posi- es real social problems were disguised and oppressive dictatorship. tive impact on the lives of Tottenham resi- ignored. Lack of proper services, high un- But when black people want answers to a dents. For example, we have now the Save employment rates, poverty and deprivation clear miscarriage of justice about bad police Downhills Campaign, the Broadwater Farm were replaced by prejudice against the local and bad law enforcement, the media decide Defence Campaign and Wards corner cam- residents. Ordinary people were either for- to report only the negative. Imagine in our paigners. The process of community devel- gotten or neglected. very own backyard a young black man was opment and involvement is paralleled by in- On 4th August Mark Duggan, a 29-year- shot dead and the family was given no ex- creasing uneasiness on the part of the police old black man from Broadwater farm, was planation. and the media who, acting under their own shot by police in Tottenham. Police stated Before the 2011 summer of unrest the prejudices, will not accept the achievement that they were attempting to arrest Duggan people of Tottenham were under increasing of grassroots communities. They media see on suspicion of planning an attack, and that police pressure, and an alienated environ- it as a threat to its exclusive power and au- he was in possession of a handgun. Duggan ment was created between the local commu- thority and as an unacceptable symbol of was shot by police and died from a gunshot nity and the police. Community representa- people’s power. wound to the chest. The police who shot Duggan were part of the Specialist Firearms Command (CO19), accompanying officers from Operation Trident, a London Metro- politan police unit responsible for gun crime HANG ONTO THE BRANCHES within the black community. DAVID GARDNER, CHAIR OF local communities, now is actually the time GREENWICH AND WOOLWICH of the Branch. In all my experience, in Parties across the BITEBACKS CLP AND VICE CHAIR OF country – from being a Party Branch Sec- THE LABOUR DEMOCRATIC retary at the age of 15 through to being a ‘Tottenham forms the core of the bor- NETWORK CLP Chair currently – is that the Branch is ough of Haringey, where a fast-rising at the heart of the Party – and the health total of well over 10,000 people are Anyone who has read about the implemen- and strength of the Party locally is more claiming jobseekers allowance. In Tot- tation of Refounding Labour or the recent often than not down to the strength of the tenham itself, recent government fig- (quickly withdrawn) letter to CLPs on reor- Branch. We all know, of course, that Branch- ures show that there were 54 people ganisation post-boundary changes, cannot es vary hugely. Some like mine in Charlton for each registered employment vacan- fail to see a pattern of advice which is about (London) are inclusive, dynamic, campaign- cy. Spending cuts have led to Haringey aggregating or moving away from our Party ing, and representative and have great de- closing 8 of 13 youth clubs with reduc- Branches as the core unit of the party. Given bates but are also very rooted and effective tions in community police numbers the principal (and most laudable) objective at elections. Others struggle – through lack soon to come.’ of Refounding Labour and the subsequent of members or activity, through councillor (Guardian letter 8/8/11). rule changes is to ensure the Party is genu- inely rooted in – and representative of – our (cont. on next page)

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HANG ONTO THE BRANCHES My father is active in a highly marginal (cont. from previous page) Constituency in the South where we hold the council but lost the Constituency in 2010. BITEBACKS capture (where local councillors dominate to There, they have been “instructed” by the ensure they are reselected!), or through a lack region to canvass only as a Constituency not ‘First-Past-the Post is not perfect, but of policy debate or sometimes through the as Branches and to work only in a handful of having watched Berlusconi’s antics opposite problem of being brilliant at reso- target wards. This has also led to hollowing over the years, I suggest that, notwith- lutions but never reaching out. And, thus, out as people do not travel. standing all its faults, it is best to stick a first class CLP is also critical to provide Branches are not only vital to ensure we with it.’ a framework, support Branches in building have proper democracy in the Party, that lo- (Harry Shindler, Rome, Times their capacity and offering a wider experi- cal councillors are accountable and all mem- 23/12/11). ence and opportunities to members – as well bers can be involved in debate and decision as their formal constitutional role. making, but they are vital to being rooted in Many will be familiar with the Enfield our local communities; vital to the ultimate Not to be missed Southgate CLP story. Won brilliantly by Ste- strength of our CLPs and, above all, to our phen Twigg, the high point for so many of effectiveness in winning elections. us on that famous early morning of 2 May One MP famously told a Fabian event 1997 was watching Portillo’s crestfallen face. at Conference that she would like a mora- 2013 This CLP was the first out of the blocks to torium on meetings for a year. Other MPs take advantage of the new flexibility in the (I suspect not many) would gladly move rules. Out went Branches and their “boring to a US-style machine where the organisa- clpd rituals, meetings and minutes”, in came CLP tion is built just around the campaign and general meetings. Despite initial enthusiasm, has no teeth. But Labour is a proud demo- a sense of locale was lost; capacity at Branch cratic socialist party, as acknowledged by agm level was replaced by a CLP machine but Refounding Labour; we have suffered from people did not necessarily travel. The Party being too “command and control”. We can- hollowed out; in 2002 local elections Labour not just sit back and allow the Coalition to Saturday February 23, lost Enfield when we made gains elsewhere ruin the country and expect that voters will in London. Southgate held just one ward. come running. We need a Party that is vis- 11.30am, Then, to great surprise, Stephen Twigg lost ible and active in every community, where in 2005 with a big swing of nearly 9% to the Labour is seen to really make a difference Conway Hall, Tories when we held on to the equally mar- and be rooted. That means active, inclusive, Red Lion Square. ginal Enfield North next door (under 1% dynamic and local Branches. I am absolute- swing!). We had lost much of that capacity ly passionate that this is a vital ingredient Report of 2012 AGM available on at ward/Branch level to campaign – a single to rebuilding Labour and ensuring we are team cannot cover a Constituency and peo- a strong and democratic, credible national clpd website. ple will not always travel. force.

BITEBACKS CND FRINGE MEETING

‘Many Party members supported the general thrust of Refounding Labour because it promised more of a role Cut Trident – and influence for the grassroot foot soldiers. Unfortunately the NEC ‘s Or- ganisation Committee’s pilot scheme not jobs, health on parliamentary selection is only one development that is pointing in the opposite direction. The selection of a PPC is probably the most important and education decision local Parties and members Speakers include: Time, date and venue: have to make. And in some cases it is a decision that will not be made again for Nick Brown MP 6–8pm, some twenty or thirty years. lt is there- MP Monday 1st October fore a decision that needs thorough Katy Clark MP Arora Hotel, Princess St consideration and full involvement by Julie Morgan AM the membership. Unfortunately, the Pi- lot is rather the opposite of this. It is Neil Findlay MSP Entrance Free somewhat of an “act in haste, repent at Christine Shawcroft, NEC Refreshments available leisure” system.’ Chair: (Peter Willsman, Leftfutures, where Kate Hudson, CND General Organised by CND, Labour CND and Labour Action for Peace the full article can be read.) Secretary

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TUC CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHT Annual Conference Highlights CLPD Fringe meeting at TUC 2012 Brighton Why every trade unionist should clpd rally and delegates’ briefing Sunday 30 September 10.30am) be active in the Labour Party Bar 38 (downstairs bar), Peter Street (adjacent to secure area). Tuesday 11 September, 6.0pm, UMI Brighton Hotel Entry £2 (conc. 50p) (on sea front close to conference centre) Speakers: Audrey Garner (Chair clpd), Mohammed Azam (clpd), Speakers: Ann Black (nec), Kelvin Hopkins MP, Ken Livingstone (nec), Lucy Anderson (npf), Billy Hayes (CWU), Michael Meacher mp, Mark Seddon (clpd), Christine Shawcroft (Unite and Labour Party treasurer), Kelvin Hopkins MP, (nec), Jon Trickett MP, Mick Whelan (aslef) and Peter Willsman Jim Kennedy (ucatt and Labour Party nec), Michael (Special Briefing for Delegates) Meacher MP, Kate Osamor (clpd), Simon Weller (ASLEF), Chair: Peter Willsman (Secretary clpd) Conference assessment and the way forward for Labour DOUBLE RED ALERT: Wednesday 3 October, 6.00pm, Don’t forget to read the Willsman Guide to Conference. Bar 38 (downstairs bar), Peter Street (adjacent to secure area). 2012 edition now available and once again up to the usual Entry £2 (conc. 50p) exceptional standard of insight and intrigue. Speakers: Peter Willsman (Chair, clpd secretary), Tony Benn, Ann Black The indispensable handbook for all delegates (it is 14 pages (nec), mp, Billy Hayes (cwu), Kelvin Hopkins mp, long this year) and anyone else who wants to understand Martin Mayer (nec), Michael Meacher mp, Kate Osamor (clpd), what is really going on at Conference. Christine Shawcroft (nec), Cat Smith (Next Generation Labour) The Guide can be downloaded from www.grassrootslabour.net ABOUT CLPD AND ITS GAINS FOR PARTY DEMOCRACY CLPD was formed in 1973 by a group of members greater representation within the sation’ and, ironically, ‘extending Party de- rank-and-file activists with support from Party. The main demand for a woman on mocracy’. For example, recently CLPD cam- about ten Labour MPs. The first President every parliamentary shortlist was achieved paigned for, and achieved, OMOV for the was Frank Allaun. The main motivation for over the period 1986-88. CLP section of the National Policy Forum. the Campaign was the record of the Labour CLPD will sometimes promote seem- n To find out more about CLPD, visit our governments in the sixties and the way that ingly non-democracy issues such as the website at www.clpd.org.uk. CLPD can usu- Annual Conference decisions were continu- significant extension of public ownership, ally provide speakers for meetings, especially ally ignored on key domestic and interna- defending the welfare state and the first- if requests are made well in advance. To ar- tional issues. The immediate cause was Har- past-the-post electoral system (PR would range this, ring Francis Prideaux on 0208 old Wilson’s imperious and undemocratic mean no majority Labour Governments). All 9607460 and leave a message for him if you rejection in 1973 of any decision by Annual such policies derive from our commitment get the machine and not the man himself. Conference to adopt an alternative econom- to socialist values and socialist advance. ic policy involving the possible public own- The major focus of CLPD’s work in re- Campaign Briefing is sponsored by: ership of some 25 strategic companies. cent years has been to win back the power CLPD’s first demand was, therefore, for for ordinary rank-and-file Party members, mandatory reselection of MPs so that they which has been surreptitiously transferred would be under pressure to carry out Con- to the centre under the pretext of ‘moderni- ference policies and be accountable to Par- ty members. This demand was achieved in 1979/80 through the overwhelming support To join the Campaign for Labour Party Democracy please fill in of CLPs and several major unions, especially the form below and return with a cheque payable to CLPD to: those unions where the demand for reselec- CLPD Treasurer, 157 North Street, Luton, LU2 7QH. tion was won at their own annual confer- I/we enclose £...... subscriptions/renewal/donation ences (eg. TGWU, AUEW, NUPE). Name ...... CLPD also sought to make the leader accountable through election by an electoral Address ...... college involving MPs, CLPs and TUs. Pre- ...... viously Labour leaders were elected by MPs Post Code...... alone. This demand was achieved in January Phone ...... Email...... 1981 and was an advance for Party democ- racy, although some MPs saw it as a reason CLP...... Region...... to defect and form the SDP, eventually to get TU...... Date ...... fewer votes than Lord Sutch’s Party. Annual rates: £20 individuals; £5 unwaged and low waged (under £8,000); £25 couples (£6 unwaged and low CLPD additionally promoted a range of waged); £25 national & regional organisations; £15 CLPs, TUs and Co-op Parties; £5 CLP branches. reforms to give Labour women and black

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