| Save the Labour Party |
| Scottish Labour Party 2005 Spring Conference Rule changes and membership crisis for Labour north of the Border Vince Mills writes: The Scottish Conference of the Labour Party meets in Dundee this weekend amidst a storm about the crisis in membership. The annual report to conference gives the total membership figure for Scotland in 2004 as 19,061. No figure was given in last year’s report, according to party officials because of the reorganisation of Scottish constituencies. The last figure available, then, is the 2003 report where membership was given as around 21 500 suggesting that over two thousand members have left in that short period. It is difficult to make historical comparisons because of the previous practice of affiliating all CLPs at 1000 members minimum, but the 2004 figure is the lowest since individual membership was properly tracked. This has given added edge to what is likely to be a fierce debate over constitutional change. The Revitalise alliance, a group of unions led by Unison, and CLP activists led the Campaign for Socialism are arguing that members are leaving because they feel disenfranchised by the Party. They are supporting two constitutional amendments. One would give the Scottish party the right to debate and take decisions on issues reserved for Westminster under devolution, like Iraq and the other would give CLPs and affiliates the right to submit amendments to final stage documents from the Scottish Policy Forum (SPF), rather than accepting or rejecting reports en-bloc. The Scottish Executive narrowly decided to ask conference to either remit or reject the constitutional amendments. However, given the support of several unions and many CLP activists the vote is likely to be narrow. Elaine Smith MSP who is backing the changes said: ‘Few Labour Party members would deny that the Scottish Labour Party needs to be given a new lease of life. Declining membership, union disaffiliation and less active participation, particularly at conference, needs to be addressed. A strong campaigning party respects its members by giving them a meaningful role in policy development.’ 1 March 2005 |