Forty Years of Clpd, a Cause for Celebration CLPD MORE NEEDED THAN (Cont

CAMPAIGN BRIEFING SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY EDITION 2013

SPECIAL 40TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY EDITION 2013 ISSUE NO 76 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]

FORTY YEARS OF CLPD, Content highlights A CAUSE FOR CELEBRATION SPECIAL billy hayes, bour Party, David and Morris Kogan wrote ANNIVERSARY General Secretary cwu of the Derers’ home in Golders Green (page EDITION 2013 45): “It is arguably the most important and best-known centre of left-wing activity in OPENS OUR Britain”. n Billy Hayes: Forty Years of CLPD: FORTIETH Such an assessment was fair, given the A cause for celebration ANNIVERSARY impact of CLPD’s successes. Today, we must EDITION. n Diane Abbott MP: CLPD and the continue their work by ensuring that CLPD struggle for black self-organisation remains a practical vehicle for progressive The Campaign for aims of Party members. n Jim Mortimer: The vital role of Labour Party De- The need for alternatives to the Coali- CLPD mocracy’s fortieth tion government’s austerity policies is widely anniversary is in- n Gavin Strang: CLPD more needed shared amongst Labour Party members. deed cause for cele- than ever More dialogue between membership and bration. Our campaign has registered a num- leadership is the best guarantee that an in- n Leo Panitch and Colin Leys: Forty ber of important successes in its existence. coming Labour government in 2015 will im- years of CLPD: our part in Labour’s Yet surely its importance really lies in its fu- plement an expansionary economic policy. history ture. For CLPD continues to offer socialists in the Party a route to effective politics. (cont. on p3) n Chris Mullin: His message to the CLPD understands that socialist policies anniversary AGM are tied to the promotion of Party democ- n Empowering women 1: Vera Derer, racy. Membership activity and involvement Sandra Ernstoff and Rachel Lever: in all areas of the Party produces better and CLPD AND THE ‘Women demand democracy too!’ more effective policies. That is a strategy and appreciation which has worked for these past STRUGGLE FOR n Empowering women 2: Loraine decades, and will work for many years ahead. Monk: From 1970 to New Labour CLPD has rejected any approach which BLACK SELF- n Empowering women 3: Christine involves presenting the membership with Shawcroft: More than a tea party: ultimatums. Instead, its approach has always ORGANISATION Have the feminists won, or did been to offer solutions which are both prac- Blairism see us off? tical and radical. WITHIN THE As a result it has, on occasion, led and n From the archive: Vladimir Derer, articulated the desires of the majority of LABOUR PARTY extract from ‘Blair must go’ Party members. This was most notable in n Dominic Curran and Conrad the achievement of the electoral college for By diane abbott MP FOR Landin: Young CLPD looking ahead leadership elections, and on the reselection to a more democratic Labour Party of MPs. But there are other recent victories, HACKNEY NORTH such as the four/four balance in contempo- n Ray Davison: Fighting fit at forty – rary resolutions to Conference, and the use It was, and still is, very hypocritical of people Highlights from CLPD’s anniversary of OMOV for the constituency section of who have not been bothered about majority- AGM the National Policy Forum. white conferences, and even today, in some n CLPD TUC fringe and Labour As we celebrate the successes we must areas, all-white CLPs, to conclude that black conference meetings acknowledge the outstanding contribution sections are separatist. We have de facto sep- n made by Vladimir and Vera Derer. In their aratism already. More Bitebacks less than friendly book The Battle for the La- (cont. on p2)

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1 CAMPAIGN BRIEFING SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY EDITION 2013

CLPD AND THE STRUGGLE FOR bring their daily experience of life and em- BLACK SELF-ORGANISATION THE VITAL ployment to the discussion of policy. Their voice and influence are essential ingredients WITHIN THE LABOUR PARTY ROLE OF CLPD for the policy of the Party. (cont. from p1) CLPD has done much since its founda- tion to initiate democratic changes, to up- The fight for Jim Mortimer, former hold democratic practices and to encourage a black section Labour Party General the rank-and-file of the Party to be vigilant within the Labour Secretary, lifelong trade to ensure that their voice is heard. Discussion and the consideration of op- Party was a long unionist and long-serving and hard fought tions, with the expression of criticism, is one that began at CLPD member, assesses essential for policy-making. This is why the the grassroots of CLPD’s role. Jim and his British labour movement has never been at- tracted by ideas and proposals for “proletar- the Party. When wife Pat have actively I was first select- ian dictatorship”. Dictatorship of any kind ed as a Labour supported CLPD for many can lead to the abuse of power. It took many councillor in the years years of struggle to establish universal suf- then Paddington frage for ordinary citizens of both sexes. constituency, I The Campaign Accountability is an essential ingredient of was very concerned about the lack of black for Labour Party democracy. people involved in my CLP. So I organised a Democracy plays This does not imply that progressive black caucus of Party members and found a vital role in the governments challenged by military reac- that there were actually a lot of black Labour Labour Party. In tion should be denied the right to defend Party members. Organisation like this was every large or- their measures and their democratic power. happening all over the country and a nation- ganisation there We remember the example of Spain, Chile al conversation had already begun through is the possibility and the experience of fascist oppression in the National Black Caucus. This creation of authoritarian Europe. of black sections in constituencies helped decision-making, CLPD has a distinguished record and it channel black people into the mainstream of intolerance of deserves support. It is good to know that it is Labour Party activity. They came out of the internal criticism in a healthy state, is growing and, is attracting closet so to speak and became active for the or curtailment of support from young members of the Labour first time. accountability. The Labour Party is not an Party. Let us ensure that it continues to do The aims of the black sections were to exception to this possibility, even though so. encourage black people to be confident in its contribution to British political life has their involvement and activism. They pro- had many democratic attributes. Facilities vided a framework to discuss and form for democratic discussion, decision-making policy on issues of concern to black people. and accountability have been part of La- BITEBACKS Finally they gave us a forum to organise for bour’s tradition. This is not a statement of increased black representation in the form complacency, but recognition of the con- ‘Take notice, That England is not a of black councillors, MPs, school governors tribution made by Labour Party members Free People, till the Poor that have no and so on. Black sections maximised black and elected representatives extending over Land, have a free allowance to dig and people’s contribution to the mainstream of many years. Labour the Commons, and so live as politics from Parliament to all sections of Problems, nevertheless, still arise. Con- Comfortably as the Landlords that live civil society. stant vigilance is required. Democracy is es- in their enclosures’. We found our natural allies in the sential at every level. The True Levellers Standard Advanced Campaign for Labour Party Democracy. At the basic level it is important to per- (April 1649). Here the black sections were provided suade individual members and affiliated trade with a huge amount of support. Hav- union representatives to attend and partici- ‘The Chancellor seems more afraid of ing spearheaded the campaign that led pate in discussion and decision-making. This admitting that his policies have failed to formal women’s representation within is an essential part of the democratic pro- than kick-starting the economy’. the Labour Party, CLPD’s experience cess. So too is the selection of candidates for Jim O’Neill, Chairman of Goldman was invaluable in achieving our aim. public office, including parliamentary and Sachs Asset Management, Tribune We have come a long way but there is a local government candidates. (22/3/13). lot more work to be done. Despite having The full-time officials of the Party have more black MPs and councillors than we an important supportive role to play in the ‘Studies show that the vast majority of have ever had in Britain, at the current rate functioning of the Party at all levels. Their new arrivals to the UK enhance and it will still take 100 years before black repre- role should always be helpful rather than enrich our society, both economically sentation in Parliament reflects our numbers disciplinary, though it is right that the con- and culturally. The true threats to our in society. As long as inequality exists so will stitution of the Party should be upheld. The national wellbeing lie not with those the need for self-organisation, because those route to success is through discussion and who come to visit or make their lives who suffer from oppression are the best persuasion. here but with the increasing gap be- placed to lead the fight against it. We need to The relationship with the trade union tween the rich and poor among us’. take the fight back to the grassroots, remem- movement is very important for the func- The Bishop of Dudley, David Walker, bering that power is never given, and that we tioning of the Party. Trade union delegates Observer (24/3/13). will have to unite and organise to take it. – the representatives of working people –

2 CAMPAIGN BRIEFING SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY EDITION 2013 forty years of clpd, a cause for celebration CLPD MORE NEEDED THAN (cont. from p1) EVER CLPD’s current priorities for Party reform and development are aimed at ensuring such dialogue can take place. by Gavin Strang, FORMER MP the statute book will give it more power. The Hence, the importance of CLPD’s pro- FOR EDINBURGH EAST CLP remarkable Scottish election results achieved posed rule change to allow full involvement by the SNP in 2011 gave them total control of Party branches and affiliated organisa- We should take over the Parliament. tions in the selection of Westminster candi- pride in what La- Some on the left, including a small mi- dates. This chimes with Ed Miliband’s com- bour has achieved nority of Labour Party members,say they mitment to give members a greater role and over the years. will vote “YES” to independence. The SNP influence. It also demonstrates CLPD’s con- The National has always opposed Trident and pledge that tinuing commitment to maintaining union Health Service there will be no nuclear weapons in an inde- involvement in all aspects of Party life. when it was creat- pendent Scotland. Equally important is CLPD’s proposal ed led the world. The decision of the last Labour gov- for Party Conference to be able to vote for The principle was ernment to develop a full replacement for NPF reports, and other reports, in parts. At simple: health Trident was profoundly wrong. Trident is present Conference delegates are faced with care should be al- a first-strike nuclear weapon system de- the invidious choice of “take it or leave it” located according signed to destroy the missiles of the for- for lengthy, complex documents. Such a to need not ability to pay. The Open Univer- mer Soviet Union while they were still in method has weakened the internal policy- sity was also set up by Labour. their silos. making process by removing Conference’s The introduction of a statutory mini- Scots are opposed to present Trident power to change a policy through debate. mum wage by Labour was a breakthrough. It never mind its planned replacement. We It is wrong to assume that debates at made illegal the payment of poverty wages. need a government at Westminster which Conferences can damage the Party in the not uncommon at the time in the private cancels Trident and becomes a credible op- eyes of TV viewers. Live debate on current sector. It gave dignity to some of the lowest ponent of nuclear weapons proliferation. issues makes for enthralling and engaging paid workers in our society. The result of the referendum is not a viewing. Politics matters desperately, and it Generally, but not always, Labour has ad- foregone conclusion. We need more leaders is not difficult to present a conference as an vocated and or implemented a progressive and activists in the trades unions in Scotland important event in the calendar. foreign policy. Labour leader Hugh Gaitskell to come out against making England a for- opposed the Conservative government over eign country and to work for a “NO” vote to “40 years since the Suez. Similarly Prime Minister Harold Wilson independence. founding of CLPD, we face resisted US pressure to send British troops to a position where politicians fight alongside the Americans in Vietnam. “Labour has a great This year is the tenth anniversary of the democratic history... are held in lower public disastrous decision by the Labour govern- esteem than in 1973” ment led by Tony Blair to take part in the We need to restore Party US led invasion of Iraq in defiance of the democracy” 40 years since the founding of CLPD, we UN Security Council. The more informa- face a position where politicians are held in tion that enters the public domain the more Labour has a great democratic history. lower public esteem than in 1973. A big part we learn how superficial and unreliable was Major questions facing the UK have in the of this is because of the scandal of MPs’ ex- the intelligence on which the British govern- past been debated openly and honestly by penses. ment claimed to base its decision. Writing in Labour: issues such as German re-armament But perhaps more damaging, has been the Sunday Telegraph, Sir Christopher Meyer, after the war, entry into the European Com- the shift by some Labour leaders towards a our Ambassador in the US at the time claims mon Market, nuclear weapons. consensus with the other parties on key pol- that in the course of the run up to the inva- We need to restore Party democracy. icy issues. This failed the electorate, as was sion the Labour Prime Minister “became an CLPD has been a force for progress over clear when the consensus of neo-liberalism honorary member of the Bush inner group the years. To-day we need it more than ever. resulted in the worst crash in the internation- of neo-conservative hawks while moderates al economy since the 1920s. such as US Secretary of State Colin Powell Now, in difficult circumstances, the La- were relegated to the outer fringe”. BITEBACKS bour Party is clawing its way back to gov- On a visit to Edinburgh earlier this year ernment. But we must learn the lessons of Tony Blair made a speech attacking the case these past decades. The incoming Labour for breaking up the UK. The SNP response ‘On BBC’s This Week, Michael Portillo government must offer a real alternative to was to attack him and Labour over the inva- was asked whether he agreed with the the Coalition’s attack upon the poor and sion of Iraq. plan to renew Trident. He said: ‘No, I working class. It is vital that Scots vote decisively think it’s completely past its sell-by date. CLPD’s continued campaigning means against Scotland becoming a separate state It’s neither independent, nor is it any kind that we can ensure that there will be serious in the referendum to be be held in Septem- of deterrent. It’s a tremendous waste of membership pressure for a radical Labour ber next year. money and is done entirely for reasons government in 2015. We must renew our The Scottish Parliament,set up by La- of national prestige. It’s wasteful.’ contribution to building CLPD in this an- bour in 1998 has very substantial powers Guardian (2/11/12). niversary year. over Scottish affairs. Legislation already on

3 CAMPAIGN BRIEFING SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY EDITION 2013 FORTY YEARS OF CLPD: OUR PART IN LABOUR HISTORY: AN ASSESSMENT

BY LEO PANITCH AND accepted as normal in most European social The CLPD’s careful monitoring of what COLIN LEYS ADAPTED FROM democratic parties… [and] extremely difficult the various union delegations had been man- to refute by any standards of democracy.’ * In dated to vote for led to a tactical decision THEIR BOOK THE END OF light of the determined opposition the CLPD to organise support for an option slightly PARLIAMENTARY SOCIALISM faced in confronting deeply entrenched elitist weighted towards the unions (40-30-30) FROM NEW LEFT TO NEW aspects of the parliamentarist mode of repre- Although the Wembley conference deci- sentation in Britain, not to speak of the chal- sion to leave the unions controlling 40% of LABOUR, 1997 lenge it posed to the traditional arrangements the vote in the electoral college was a mas- between the industrial and political leaders in sive reduction from the 90% of the vote they The Campaign for Labour Party Democracy the Labour Party, it was certainly a remarkable accounted for at the Party Conference it was (CLPD) – which for a while became the core victory for the Labour new left and the CLPD immediately presented by the social demo- organisation of perhaps the most power- in particular. crats and the media as a vote for the domina- ful movement for radical intra-party reform Circumstances were now very different, tion of the Party by “union bosses”. ever to arise within western social democ- thanks to the efforts of the new left activists This completely drowned out the Labour racy – was set up in June 1973. over the course of the decade, as the forma- new left’s actual aim, which was not to adopt The campaign itself involved building tion of the Rank and File Mobilising Com- the ersatz plebiscitary democracy of an support through affiliations by constituen- mittee in May and June 1980 showed. The American-style primary system but to make cy parties and trade union branches as well RFMC brought CLPD and LCC activists MPs accountable to an informed and active as through enlisting individual supporters; together with a broader range of left groups local Party membership, and to politicise and sending out model resolutions and convinc- in the Party to conduct common campaign- democratise the unions’ role in the Party, not ing CLPs (each of which had the right to ing – including twenty rallies at different sites jettison it. forward only one resolution to the Party’s around the country in the run-up to the 1980 The organisational changes pushed annual conference) to use them; and organ- Conference – for five key constitutional de- through by Kinnock, Smith and Blaire to ising among trade unions to have their del- mands: defence of reselection; control of the disempower the activists paved the way for egates mandated to support reforms to the Manifesto by the NEC; election of the leader a policy accommodation with neo-liberalism. Party’s constitution. and deputy leader by the whole party; defence The modernisers confirmed in this way how At the 1979 Party conference, mandatory of the NEC’s structure; and accountable and correct the Labour new left, for their part, reselection was finally passed by 4 million to 3 open decision-making within the PLP. had been in seeing intra-party organisational million votes. It had taken five long and ardu- At the 1981 Special Conference at Wem- change as a precondition for effective policy ous years of dedicated organising to win just bley the CLPD’s tactical brilliance and the change. the first of the CLPD’s constitutional reforms, RFMC’s organisational efforts did prevent entailing a change which, as one student of the adoption of an electoral college still * David Hine in Patterson and Thomas eds., comparative parties would observe, was ‘long dominated by the PLP. The Future of Social Democracy, Oxford 1986.’

This is an historic photograph in CLPD’s last forty years. It shows Vladimir and Vera Derer, Peter Willsman and other supporters demonstrating outside the labour rooms where Reg Prentice is in the process of being deselected.

4 CAMPAIGN BRIEFING SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY EDITION 2013 chris mullin’s Message to our Anniversary AGM

CHRIS MULLIN (FORMER MP nal moment came in 1977 when the Ne- FOR SUNDERLAND SOUTH, wham North East Constituency attempted to de-select their MP Reg Prentice. Pren- EDITOR OF TRIBUNE 1982–4 tice immediately declared himself to be the AND WELL KNOWN AUTHOR/ victim of an extremist conspiracy and the JOURNALIST) AND CLPD entire Labour establishment, backed by an hysterical media campaign, attempted to EC MEMBER DURING THE come to his rescue. Whereupon Prentice STRUGGLE FOR MANDATORY announced that he was defecting to the RESELECTION, SENT THE Conservative Party adding, in a gratuitous swipe at his supporters, that he had been a FOLLOWING MESSAGE Conservative for at least the two previous TO CLPD’S ANNIVERSARY years. From that moment onwards CLPD’s ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING. campaign was unstoppable. We owe a lot to Reg Prentice. Although I do not belong to that small but distinguished band who founded CLPD, nised. The chairman would say that George “The seminal moment I joined soon afterwards and have been a had urgent business back at the House and came in 1977 when the paid up member ever since. To this day I would we mind bringing forward the MP’s Newham North East remain proud to have been a member. Con- report. Members would then shrug wearily. trary to what our critics sometimes alleged George would get up and give a surreal ac- Constituency attempted to it was never our aim to get rid of sitting count of what he thought was going on in de-select their MP MPs. The aim was to change the relation- the world. The chairman would ask for ques- Reg Prentice” ship between Labour party members and tions. Members again shrugged wearily and their elected representatives in parliament George would totter out, nodding at people Although mandatory re-selection was and I believe that, by and large, we have whose faces rang a vague bell. Incredibly, represented by many as an extremist cause, succeeded. aged 79, he was intending to contest the I think we were ahead of our time. One forgets that in the 1970s many Con- 1979 election, until the Constituency Party My best wishes to CLPD on its 40th stituency Labour Parties in safe seats were put its foot down. anniversary. I take this opportunity to sa- virtually moribund. I lived at that time in Although Vauxhall was an extreme case, lute Vladimir and Vera Derer who more Lambeth Vauxhall which had been repre- it was by no means uncommon for long- than anyone kept the show on the road in sented by George Strauss for 55 years – from serving MPs to have entirely lost touch the early years. And to wish you all well 1924 when he was first chosen as the Labour with their Constituency Parties. The semi- in the years ahead. candidate to 1979 when he was reluctantly persuaded to retire. When I came on the scene in the early ‘70s, the Vauxhall party was all but dead. EMPOWERING WOMEN Three people attended my first branch meeting, two councillors and a man of VERA DERER (CLPD LEADING egates are women... But must this under- 82. The Party Secretary was also George MEMBER), SANDRA ERNSTOFF representation continue? Isn’t it time we Strauss’ personal secretary, which meant looked at democratic reforms which would that it was difficult to join. Strauss, a (NOLS) AND RACHEL LEVER help women overcome the barriers to politi- wealthy man, also owned the party offices, (WOMEN’S FIGHTBACK) cal activity? an elegant Georgian house on Kennington JOINED TOGETHER IN 1980 Democratic reforms would encourage Road and he always made clear that, come women to join and take an active part in the day of his retirement, he would be tak- TO WRITE THE FOLLOWING Party life. Of course many of the barriers ing the offices with him. He was as good as ARTICLE: ‘WOMEN DEMAND exist in society as a whole and are beyond his word. DEMOCRACY TOO!’ (MOBILISE the Party’s immediate control. But we can Although Strauss could see his constitu- take steps to ensure that such barriers ex- ency from the terrace of the House of Com- FOR LABOUR DEMOCRACY, isting in the Party are broken down. The mons his visits were infrequent. Election MAGAZINE SUMMER 1980). WE existing women’s organisation needs more campaigns were almost non-existent. The REPRODUCE EXTRACTS HERE power. The principle of positive discrimi- turn out was one of the lowest in the coun- nation should be adopted. The idea of try. By the time I came on the scene, he had TO PAY TRIBUTE TO VERA AND women, hampered as they are by social more or less lost touch with both his constit- HER CO-WRITERS. conditioning and domestic obstacles, com- uency and his Party. The monthly meetings peting on equal terms with men expresses of the management committee were surreal. There are only 11 women Labour MPs. a false and abstract view of equality. The Strauss would arrive nodding vaguely in the There is no woman in the shadow cabinet fact that it just doesn’t work is borne out direction of people he thought he recog- and only 11% of Annual conference del- by the results.

5 CAMPAIGN BRIEFING SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY EDITION 2013 EMPOWERING WOMEN 2: from 1970 to new labour

LORAINE MONK, FORMER NPF born. Democratically through meetings large campaigned for women’s rights in the pre- MEMBER FOR LONDON, CHAIR and small, across the country, women mem- vious three decades. They turned instead to bers devised a plan for every aspect of Gov- other means of achieving change through OF THE LONDON REGION ernment, under a new Ministry for Women. non-governmental agencies, the law or their WOMEN’S COMMITTEE The only way to change the make up of the individual trade unions. FOR SIX YEARS AND Parliamentary Labour Party was to have Women’s position in British society has women only short lists for safe Parliamen- changed – it is better than it was, but women, LONDON REP ON THE NEC’S tary seats. It was finally agreed in time for the most of all working class women, of all eth- WOMEN’S COMMITTEE FOR 1997 selections. nicities still lack equal opportunity. FOUR, DESCRIBES THE RE- New Labour’s ascendency meant the end The argument for the Women’s Ministry of Labour’s socialism, and with it any radical was that a women’s agenda affected everyone ENERGISING OF THEFEMINIST transformation of society. – that is to say, concerns for justice, equality MOVEMENT IN THE EARLY Labour policy no longer sought to effect and education were universal. What we have SEVENTIES AS IT BUILDS ON social change, too often aping Tory policy at present is a government and opposition THE MANY STRUGGLES FOR and supporting the status quo. After Labour that argue about bankers and agree together won the 1997 general election, the Minis- that public expenditure needs cutting, while EMPOWERMENT OF EARLIER try for women became a Minister without a still spending on war and weapon building YEARS INCLUDING THE Ministry. – a boys’ club while throughout the world MATCHSTICK STRIKERS. After Jo Richardson, the role became women suffer oppression, torture, rape and shared – a minister without an office... other violence. The first act of the new Labour gov- The Labour Party missed a great oppor- The first wom- ernment had been to cut benefits for single tunity to effect substantial change and with it en’s liberation parents. Restructuring the Party resulted in the appeal to voters, both women and men conference in the abolishing the NEC Women’s Committee who wanted real transformation. UK was held at and pushing in the Regions for the disband- Ruskin College ment of regional Women’s committees, ef- in 1970. It was a fectively starving the womens sections of time when peo- BITEBACKS support. ple in the UK be- Eventually progressive plans were for- lieved that poli- gotten: the fallback position if the Party ‘I used to think that Karl Marx’s defini- tics could change wanted to display how good it was on tion of banks in capitalist society as “in- people’s lives… “women’s issues” was to relaunch the policy stitutions created for the systematic rob- Women began to demand equal oppor- on domestic violence, again and again. In the bery of the people” was cheap polemic. tunities in education, to be involved in the 2010 general election, Labour returned only Now I begin to see what he meant.’ treatment of their own bodies and to cam- 81 Labour women MPs – 33% of the Parlia- Patrick Renshaw, Sheffield, Guardian paign for equal rights and opportunities to mentary Party. By then it had lost significant (19/3/13). other than low paid, low status jobs. Women numbers of the women members who had from ethnic minorities were forceful in their ‘People think that the proportion of argument that they suffered double oppres- the welfare budget that goes on ben- sion. For moments to inspire and recall with efits to unemployed people is 41 per In the eighties, Women of Greenham pain and pleasure, you must read Carol cent. The real figure is just 3 per cent. Common showed the world that women Turner’s Speaking truth to power – Walter Failing to change the terms of this tox- could act politically and establish a politi- Wolfgang: a political life, with a forward ic, pernicious debate will not just have cal agenda much wider than just their own by Jeremy Corbin MP, Labour CND, profound consequences for the poor- political oppression. Women were also as- October 2012. Relive Walter’s days of est; it is central to efforts to create a serting their views and demonstrating their fame as he is ejected shamefully from better society and, as a result, a matter abilities in a range of trade union branches Labour’s 2005 Conference in Brighton for all of us. So far the welfare debate and campaigns. with his ‘nonsense’ intervention to Jack has illustrated a politics based on de- Women in the Labour Party began to ar- Straw. The power of the single word spair and envy, which actively seeks to gue for their rights within the Party- women’s rocketed him erode trust and solidarity’. sections began to reach beyond being Party to stardom Lisa Nandy, ‘Talk of strivers is perni- tea makers and jumble sale organisers to es- and to elec- cious’, Tribune (8/2/13). tablishing a political voice that demanded tion to the equal representation in the Party at all lev- NEC for the ‘Only 16% of students eligible for els and to write policy that would force the CLGA slate. free school meals go on to university, Party, when in government, to create laws A master as opposed to 96% of private school that would change women’s lives. That also stroke from students’. meant representing the Party. Peter Wills- Observer (13/1/13). The idea of a Ministry for women was man.

6 CAMPAIGN BRIEFING SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY EDITION 2013 More than a tea party: Have the feminists won, or did Blairism see us off?

LABOUR NEC AND NPF Eventually Women’s Sections meeting tattooed on her forehead, selection meetings member Christine in the evening became the norm – and very knew why she was there. Women formulated active they became, too. By the mid-80s, a new demand: for All-Women Shortlists in Shawcroft looks at there was a large network of Women’s Sec- a number of seats, including safe ones. That the history of women’s tions across the country, and many CLPs set was eventually agreed and has had a check- organisation in the up Women’s Councils, with delegates from ered history. Women’s Sections (often branch rather than The Party is now very different and the Labour Party CLP based), locally affiliated trades unions huge tide of feminism which swept through and women’s organisations to co-ordinate all it in the 80s and early 90s has ebbed. Partly When I first tried this feminist activity. this is due to the fact that all forms of activ- setting up local Attendance at National Women’s Con- ism have been choked off as Party managers women’s organi- ference more than doubled (not least after have closed off democratic routes and sti- sations in the La- the Newcastle Conference in 1982, which we fled grassroots voices. bour Party, it was threatened to occupy if the crèche didn’t stay For this reason, some bright spark the late 70s and open till the end of the conference session dreamed up quotas. The Women’s Organi- they were gen- rather than closing at 5pm). Women debated sations never called for quotas. Our princi- erally known as and passed their own policy, usually more ple was always that women’s representatives Ladies’ Sections. radical than that of Annual Conference. should be elected by, and accountable to, You needed the Feminism was thriving in the women’s or- other women, otherwise they aren’t women’s agreement of ganisation, but how could we take it into the representatives at all – they are representa- your (overwhelmingly male) GC, or General wider Party? A group of women delegates to tives who happen to be women. Management Committee (GMC) as it was Annual Conference occupied the MPs’ seats Reserved seats for women’s organisa- then. We had to go cap in hand and plead – showing everyone how unusual it looked tions meant that women had to come to with an uncomprehending GMC for permis- to lose the male domination. Women’s Sections, win the support of wom- sion to set up a women’s section. They were Some women members of the Cam- en members, report back to them and face absolutely mystified: why would a group of paign for Labour Party Democracy re-election a year later – the basic pattern women want to meet? Who would they be (CLPD) set up the Women’s Action of accountability for representatives. Under making the tea for: each other? Committee (WAC) to take the campaign quotas, individual women looking for a ca- When I moved to London in the early further. reer in the Party can make it clear to local 80s, the story was slightly different. There WAC’s main demands included: Party hierarchies that they aren’t going to were many more younger members, as the l Women’s Conference should be threaten the status quo. activism of the times seeped into the Party, able to send five resolutions to Annual Quotas for all delegates and officers in and most of them considered themselves Conference (there being no link whatso- the Party undermined the Women’s Sections. feminists. Naturally, they wanted to meet in ever between the two), When the NEC was re-organised in 1997 to women’s groups – something they had been l there should be one woman on eve- try and keep left candidates out of the CLP organising, in many cases, before they joined ry Parliamentary shortlist; section, the five women’s seats were abolished the Party. Unfortunately, the established l that the five women’s places on the in favour of introducing quotas in the new women’s groups met in the daytime. When National Executive Committee should trade union and CLP sections. The Women’s new women members asked their GMCs for be elected by national Women’s Confer- Conference was abolished because it was “too permission to set up Women’s Sections, they ence, instead of by male and female CLP expensive”, although it had been making a were told to go to the ones which already members. profit for the Party. existed. The young working women couldn’t The outcome of the quota system has go to meetings held in the daytime, and the These demands were overwhelmingly ensured that although more women parlia- older established women were unwilling to supported by women’s organisations – but mentary candidates are being selected, they go out at night. winning them in the Party was another mat- are almost exclusively non-threatening sup- For a while there was an impasse, un- ter. Eventually, Annual Conference agreed porters of the leadership. The “Blair babes” til some clever comrade pointed out there that there should be one woman on every may have benefited from two decades of were no prescriptions on the boundaries for shortlist “if a woman had been nominated”. feminist campaigning in the Labour Party, Women’s Sections: the existing groups be- Ending all-male shortlists was positive, but but they sure as hell didn’t represent it. came Daytime Women’s Sections, and work- implementation of the policy revealed its The question of how we take the fight ing women could set up Evening Women’s shortcomings. This was no breakthrough al- for equality forward, though, is very open. Sections. For a few years, it was common for lowing women to be seen as equally plausi- women to stand up at Regional or Women’s ble parliamentary candidates: executives, still Editor’s note: This is a shortened version of the Conferences and introduce themselves as largely male, put a woman on their shortlists, original article, which can be read in full in Original being from such and such Evening Women’s but felt no need to add any more. Even if Labour Briefing Cooperative March/April 2013 Section. she didn’t have “token woman” physically or at www.left futures.org

7 CAMPAIGN BRIEFING SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY EDITION 2013

FIGHTING FIT AT FORTY

RAY DAVISON HIGHLIGHTS in Lambeth Vauxhall was hilarious. He too peerless voice (he was once asked not to CLPD’S ANNIVERSARY AGM praised the Derers for their many contribu- shout and famously replied very loudly: tions to CLPD, We reprint Chris’ tribute on ‘I like shouting’)! Peter outlined with his p.5 for your delectation. usual thoroughness and force our model CLPD’s Anniversary AGM (Conway rule changes for the 2013 Conference Hall, 23/2/13 was a cracking and dy- John Ashworth MP (Leicester and our target of challenging and chang- namic gathering with the room ‘plein ing the abuse of the 3 year rule (see Ken comme un oeuf ’ (full) with a multicul- South) Loates for details). He spoke of the many tural mix of young and not so young John praised the work of CLPD over the positive features and successes at the 2012 individuals extremely articulate and years and revisited some of our great advanc- Conference including the daily yellow powerfully engaged with socialist ad- es such as reselection, the leadership college, pages (edited by Jon Lansman) and Cam- vance. Our press officer Mike Loates women members’ representation within the paign Briefing (edited by myself). He paid has penned the official AGM report Party and omov for NPF. He also recalled a very warm tribute to Andrew Fenyo for (available on our website): my task is to the significant and distinguished record in his lengthy editorship of the yellow pages. spotlight some of its greatest moments CLPD and CND of Frank Allaun, one of He also referred with evident excitement and, naturally, they were all great. our former CLPD chairs. John made a strong to CLPD’s own executive rule changes and much appreciated call for more working creating two youth places. GUEST SPEAKERS class MPs in the House after the next election. He said this could only be achieved with Young CLPD Kelvin Hopkins MP union assistance. Media reform was an issue that, in his view, required urgent attention: we Kelvin opened the anniversary meeting Both Dominic Curran and Conrad Lan- needed a fairer system of media ownership to with the warmest of tributes: CLPD din spoke of their plans for an autono- create a more democratic press. Finally, again would go down in the annals of history mous youth section in the Party and you with much support from members present, as ‘the soul of the Labour Party’ fight- can read about them on p9 of this an- he called for the bringing back as Labour ing a sustained battle over forty years for niversary issue. policy the 10p tax rate. Party democracy. With its Yellow Pages and briefing papers, its great rallies, the Launch of CLPD’s Charter for Ann Pettifor outstanding work of its NEC members, a Democratic Conference the wisdom and socialist fire of Peter This was a speech to be savoured. Although Willsman, the strategic brilliance over Ann, by her own admission, was a late arrival Our Charter was launched with style and decades of Vladimir and Vera Derer to in the ranks of CLPD, joining in 1980, she eloquence by Jon Lansman. Read our final whom he paid a special tribute, CLPD soon became involved in our campaign for page for a summary of the Charter’s aims had championed the resistance to right- women’s rights and memorably suggested it and visit leftfutures, grassroots labour and wing regressive control freaks. It had was basically the same struggle she had cham- clpd websites for the full version. worked intelligently with the unions pioned in 35 countries over debt cancellation. to secure many fine successes: reselec- What followed this was a quite brilliant analy- tion, the leadership college, advance of sis of the crisis of international capital. It was Tried and Trusted women’s rights and black sections within sophisticated and extremely wide ranging, the Party and OMOV for NPF elections. sinking Hayek, Friedman and the bandits of The usual fine reports were delivered by CLPD strategy had also almost certainly Chicago but also the leaders of the Labour Christine Shawcroft (NEC/NPF), Ann secured Ed’s victory over the Blairites. Party (‘the leaders of the Labour Party do Black (NEC and Org Sub, cave Cruddas), On the PLP front, there was good not understand finance’)! Even Krugman suf- Russell Cartwright (Treasurer) and the Re- news also: Progress was in decline, Pur- fered a minor rebuke. I began to think Ann gional Key persons available. Resolutions nell had gone (much cheering), defence of should replace Balls as our Shadow Chancel- defining our future objectives were debat- PFI was waning, the unions were laying lor when she said we should focus our strat- ed crisply and quickly (well in the main!). siege to New Labour economics and the egy on private not public debt and make fi- Last, but not least, we all appreciated the new PLP looked more progressive or at nance a servant of production and labour. I great chairing of the meeting by our ever least less regressive. Neo-liberalism had cannot do justice to Ann’s intricate arguments younger Audrey Gardner in the morning failed, he concluded, and it needed to be in this piece but, rest assured, I have invited session and Lizzy Ali in the afternoon. rejected. He suggested our 1945 manifes- Ann to contribute to our autumn edition. I can hardly wait for next year if to should guide our policy pledges as we it’s anything like this year’s Anniver- approach the next election. OUR STRATEGIES FOR 2013 sary AGM.

Chris Mullin Peter Willsman in full flight Jon Lansman read out Chris Mullin’s Message to the Anniversary AGM as No CLPD meeting of any kind and least Chris was unavailable. It was characteris- of all this anniversary AGM would be com- tically very witty and his use of anecdotes plete without the briefings and reports of about long-sitting MP George Strauss Peter Willsman, our peerless secretary with a

8 CAMPAIGN BRIEFING SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY EDITION 2013 FROM THE ARCHIVE

Here is an extract from our lead article in the National Policy Forum or the NEC, or had SUMMER EDITION 2006 the 2006 Campaign Briefing 69 entitled arisen since the publication of those reports”. ISSUE NO 69 CAMPAIGN ‘Blair must go’. The article was written The rule changes were railroaded through EDITOR: RAY DAVISON, EAST DEVON CLP AND conference during the euphoria which fol- BRIEFING CLPD REGIONAL ORGANISER with characteristic insight by Vladimir CLPD newsletter for CLPs and Labour Party Members Derer, our present active Political Secre- lowed Labour’s 1997 landslide. Delegates were www.clpd.org.uk (for full NEC reports) tary and former very long-standing CLPD swayed by the argument that, in the past, con- BLAIR MUST GO secretary. Without Vladimir’s indispensa- ference agendas, based primarily on resolu- spectrum from ANNUAL radical” socialist periodicals. Labour MPs, Tony Blair must go. This demand reverberates across the political discontented Blairites have Tory press to Guardian commentators and “ CONFERENCE tions from constituencies and unions, had led one thing unites them: ble role and skill, CLPD would not have leading trade unionists, ordinary party members and even all had enough. Yet, despite the differences in their politics, HIGHLIGHTS when urging Blair’s resignation, they leave the timing to him. has been overtaken by the Tories. Although made its unique and significant contribu- to disunity and harmful publicity. Horror sto- SAT 23 SEPTEMBER, 5.00PM Blair now concedes that Labour’s recent re- The long goodbye JARVIS PICCADILLY HOTEL sults have been disappointing he still sticks to Blair’s Labour critics agree that his continuing “if we remain New Labour RECEPTION FOR DELEGATES, FOOD as Prime Minister threatens the Party’s chanc- the fantasy that AND DRINK PROVIDED. MEET tion to the Labour Party’s history. You can ries as to what the party was like in the 70s and es of winning a fourth term. Yet they don’t go we will remain in office”. HERE DELEGATES CAN MEMBERS beyond merely appealing to him to resign. Open and candid debate? EACH OTHER, MEET Blair, however, has no intention to oblige. He OF THE NEC, TU GENERAL Faced with mounting dissatisfaction, even 80s, were spread by New Labourites and avidly has recently indicated that he certainly won’t SECRETARIES AND MPs. read the full article on our website in the Blair is now calling for the party’s “renewal” go for at least another year. In the Guardian Free for delegates (£5.00 others) (June 27) he stated that he intends to ensure urging critics to debate his policies “openly and candidly” (Guardian June 27). He did that Labour goes into the next election with SUN 24 SEPTEMBER, 10.00AM taken up by the media. The new rules mean - not indicate, however, where this debate is to archive. The article is every bit as pertinent his programme. This would necessitate either JARVIS PICCADILLY HOTEL occur. A letter responding to Blair’s invitation GATES’ him staying until late 2008 or that his succes CLPD RALLY AND DELE (Guardian, July 7), signed among others by E BONNAMY sor agrees to stick with his policies – policies BRIEFING WITH YVONN bringwhich about are rooted in a dogma whichregime favours - several tradechanges union leaders and a number of by military in- that annual conference has lost its function as (CHAIR), MOHAMMED AZAM, now as then and shows clearly how the Labour ex-ministers, promises that the signa- competition, private profit and a foreign poli TONY BENN, ANN BLACK, JEREMY tories intend to organize a public debate on cy tied to the United States. CORBYN, KATH FRY, KELVIN the party’s future “in order to point the way HN - HOPKINS, KATE HUDSON, JOHER, right uses rule changes and constitutional Labour’s supreme policy-making body and has tervention,Four million lost votesas in Afghanistan,towards the change of direction in government Iraq and now McDONNELL, MICHAEL MEAC policy …”. Although welcome, this is no sub Bizarrely, in Blair’s view, these articles of faith CHRISTINE SHAWCROFT, DEREKER guarantee political success. But, had it not stitute for a debate within the party with all SIMPSON, GAVIN STRANG,RIEFING PET Lebanon.been for out-of-date In constituency domestic boundaries, members involved. policies But is such a debate still it means both WILLSMAN (SPECIAL B amendments to control the Party, whilst become a transparently stage-managed event. possible? Not unless rules introduced in 1997- a discredited Tory party and the vicissitudes FOR DELEGATES). of the first past the post system, Labour may - are relaxed. When he became Prime Minis Entry £2 (conc. 50P) not have won a working majority in 2005. To ter, Blair lost no time before introducing rule ending the partial changesprivatisation which prevent the kind of debate he of the Wel- The National Policy Forum which supposedly day it rules with the smallest proportion of the simultaneously accusing of navel gazing THURS 28 SEPTEMBER, 1.00PM popular vote ever recorded by a government. is now calling for. The new rules denied CLPs JURY’S INN HOTEL - any input into the conference agenda and Between the 1997 and 2005 elections Labour CONFERENCE ASSESSMENTMMED AND fare statelost four million and votes. The results the in by-elec staterestricted the unions sector to four subjects(continued which page 2)generally, and and internal self-obsession those who seek took over the function of formulating party THE NEXT STEP WITH MOHA BLACK, tions and local elections held since show a fur- AZAM (CHAIR), ANN N, ther decline, and in the opinion polls Labour BILLY HAYES, GAYE JOHNSTO not accepting the introduction intoCHRISTINE them SHAWCROFT, PETERof to empower members, advance Party de- policies, is an unrepresentative body strictly WILLSMAN AND WALTER THE WILLSMAN GUIDE TO CONFERENCE —ATES 2006 AND EDITION ANYONE WOLFGANG. GOING ON AT Entry £1.00 (conc. 50P) controlled by the government. methodsTHE INDISPENSABLEwhich HANDBOOK imitate FOR ALL DELEG marketRIVE, forces (e.g. mocracy and promote socialist policies. ELSE WHO WANTS TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IS REALLY CONFERENCE. AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE FROM 10 PARK D Does all this mean there is no way out for league LONDONtables). NW11 7SH. Within the Labour Party, it When he became Prime Minister, Blair lost no the Party? Not if members face up to two means the renewal of internal party democ- time before introducing rule changes which immediate problems. racy to give more say to members in deter- prevent the kind of debate he is now calling One is that, for Labour’s renewal to be mining policies and in ensuring the account- for. The new rules denied CLPs any input credible, it must involve a break with policies ability of the leadership. into the conference agenda and restricted the which have lost the party so much support. unions to four subjects which “had not been In foreign affairs, it means that Britain must (The clpd website www.clpd.org.uk has an ar- substantively addressed in the reports of either distance itself from policies which seek to chive of materials dating from the 1970’s). Looking ahead to a more democratic Labour Party DOMINIC CURRAN AND Ed’s election as leader marked the begin- the chair three days running. The much-feted CONRAD LANDIN, YOUNG CLPD ning of the tide being turned back in our Par- “Refounding Labour” project did not come ty. The economic crisis had proved that we anywhere near to the handing back of power could no longer simply go on with Thatch- to members that is necessary to rebuild and The election of Ed Miliband marked a turn- erite economics as Blair had done. The trade democratise our Party. ing point for Labour. But, as Michael Meach- unions’ decisive support for Ed Miliband Most Party members out there want to er said at the time, “the importance was not showed a renewed impetus on their part to see a modern, democratic grassroots move- so much in Ed winning, but David losing.” make sure the Labour Party represented the ment and not a cheerleading and leafleting The elder Miliband brother represented the interests and aspirations of working people. club. But years of New Labour blunting Blairite continuity of eroding internal de- Those who hold to the discredited politics have taken its toll on Party structures – and mocracy in the Party, and adhering to right represented by his New York-bound brother so many members find it hard to see the way wing policies that had so alienated working- have been on the retreat in the party ever out. class people under New Labour. since. So now CLPD is needed more than CLPD advised a first preference for Di- The record attendances at the CLPD ever – to co-ordinate the disenfranchised to ane Abbott and a second preference for Ed Conference fringe events last September achieve a Party managed by its national ex- Miliband. Given that the margin of victory demonstrate the huge potential offered ecutive – a no-brainer in most organisations was less than one per cent, CLPD’s support by this sea-change in the Party. Undemo- – and Party policies decided by Conference. surely proved decisive. cratic shenanigans from Party staff (sup- We cannot have faith in the Party bureau- We both encountered CLPD properly posedly impartial staff) have been cracked cracy to deliver this – as demonstrated by for the first time in 2011 – some thirty years down upon by Miliband and new general Refounding Labour. But with CLP activists after the battles over mandatory reselection secretary Iain McNicol, himself backed by demanding a living, breathing party, and af- and the electoral college for which CLPD is CLPD NEC members and the trade unions filiated trade unions more active than ever probably best known. But what we discov- against Chris Lennie, the choice of Blairite – we stand a good chance of democratic ered was not a jaded clique of elderly die- hacks. reforms, in the form of rule changes, being hards – which cannot be said for many left- But last year’s Conference also saw some supported by Labour Conference. wing groupings in the twenty-first century of the worst abuses of the Party’s standing Only a Party that listens to its members – but an effective and tight organisation full orders, as Conference votes to reject the Ar- will gain the support of the “new genera- of passionate activists looking to get down rangements Committee reports – and thus tion” that Ed Miliband appealed to in his to business. the Conference agenda – were ignored by first Conference speech.

9 CAMPAIGN BRIEFING SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY EDITION 2013

clpd’s RED ALERT Charter for CLPD MEETINGS NOT TO BE MISSED IN 2013 a Democratic

Conference CLPD LUNCHTIME CLPD MEETINGS AT FRINGE MEETING AT At least 50% of conference time LABOUR PARTY should be reserved for contributions in policy debates by delegates TUC CONFERENCE The criteria for motions should be CONFERENCE IN BRIGHTON flexible and fair IN BOURNEMOUTH CLPD Conference briefing, Conference should choose the right HERMITAGE HOTEL Royal Albion Hotel (very near pier) policies, not rubber stamp them (OPPOSITE CONFERENCE CENTRE) Saturday 21st September 6.0pm Conference decisions and all papers Tuesday September 10 should be available online to party from 12.30 onwards CLPD REVIEW members OF THE WEEK The structure of conference therefore needs a review by the Conference Royal Albion Hotel (very near pier) Arrangements Committee Tuesday 24th September 6.0pm

ABOUT CLPD AND ITS GAINS FOR PARTY DEMOCRACY

CLPD was formed in 1973 by a group of members greater representation within the racy’. For example, recently CLPD cam- rank-and-file activists with support from Party. The main demand for a woman on paigned for, and achieved, OMOV for the about ten Labour MPs. The first President every parliamentary shortlist was achieved CLP section of the National Policy Forum. was Frank Allaun. The main motivation for over the period 1986-88. 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 tional issues. The immediate cause was Har- past-the-post electoral system (PR would arrange this, ring Fran- old Wilson’s imperious and undemocratic mean no majority Labour Governments). All cis Prideaux on 0208 rejection in 1973 of any decision by Annual such policies derive from our commitment 9607460 and leave a mes- Conference to adopt an alternative econom- to socialist values and socialist advance. sage for him if you get ic policy involving the possible public own- The major focus of CLPD’s work in re- the machine and not the ership of some 25 strategic companies. cent years has been to win back the power man himself. 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 to Campaign Briefing no.76 would be under pressure to carry out Con- the centre under the pretext of ‘modernisa- Special 40th Anniversary London and ference policies and be accountable to Par- tion’ and, ironically, ‘extending Party democ- edition is sponsored by: Eastern region ty members. This demand was achieved in 1979/80 through the overwhelming support of CLPs and several major unions, especially To join the Campaign for Labour Party Democracy please fill in those unions where the demand for reselec- the form below and return with a cheque payable to CLPD to: tion was won at their own annual confer- CLPD Treasurer, 157 North Street, Luton, LU2 7QH. ences (eg. TGWU, AUEW, NUPE). I/we enclose £...... subscriptions/renewal/donation CLPD also sought to make the leader Name ...... accountable through election by an electoral college involving MPs, CLPs and TUs. Address ...... Previously Labour leaders were elected by ...... MPs alone. This demand was achieved in Post Code...... January 1981 and was an advance for Party Phone ...... Email...... democracy, although some MPs saw it as a reason to defect and form the SDP, even- CLP...... Region...... tually to get fewer votes than Lord Sutch’s TU...... Date ......

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