Resolutions - Extending and renewing party democracy
On 24 June 2007 the new Leader Gordon Brown presented a paper 'Extending and renewing party democracy' to a short NEC meeting in Manchester after the formal confirmation of his unopposed nomination as Leader of the Labour Party by the Parliamentary Labour Party.
Read the full document here
The issue of Party Renewal has been the subject of more intensive, evidenced based study by the LabOUR Commission. Its Interim Report can be read here.
Following news of the Gordon Brown proposals the Commission met and issued this press release here setting out its concerns and asking for a rethink about the practicalities.
The following weekend on 30 June 2007 the STLP Committee met in London and agreed to back the LabOUR Commission statement and call on branch, constituency labour parties and affiliates to act here.
The first reported branch resolution expressing views about the paper was agreed unanimously by Walthamstow South Branch Labour Party at its July meeting. (see below)
Further resolutions can be seen be clicking on the items listed below:
Leabridge BLP
Extending and Renewing Party Democracy
This CLP welcomes the aim outlined in the consultation document
'Extending and Renewing Party Democracy' of broadening participation in
policy making process, however we believe that many of the proposals
will have the precise opposite effect.
We oppose the proposal that Conference ceases to be the decision making
body of the party, having its role reduced to proposing 'issues' for the
National Policy Forum to consider.
We further oppose attempts to restrict the right of CLPs and affiliates
to submit contemporary resolutions to conference, again reducing their
role to outlining issues rather than specific resolutions.
We believe that much of the disillusion amongst party members is
precisely because of the lack of ability of local parties to influence
conference agenda, and the refusal of the Labour Government to take
notice when conference does adopt policy contrary to Government policy.
We believe that Partnership into Power and National Policy Forums have
immensely weakened the feeling of ownership of party policy amongst
party members and affiliates. Rather than giving more power to this
obscure process, we should look at ways of better involving the
remaining party members, 7 million trade union members and members of
affiliated organisations in policy making through party conferences, and
mandating delegates to carry out the wishes of those who elect them.
For further information contact the Proposer: Simon Deville
If you want to see where Walthamstow is click here