| Save the Labour Party |
| e-News No. 1 Click here for printer friendly version 22 February 2004 STLP teams up with Billy Bragg to spark debate on party democracy through Lords’ Reform STLP was contacted by Labour Party activist and pop-star, Billy Bragg, last week to get CLPs debating Lords’ Reform and party democracy. Billy sent every sitting Labour MP a promotional DVD and Video about Reform of the House of Lords on 9 February. Details of the scheme can be seen at www.secondarymandate.org His success in promoting a democratic alternative was written up in the Guardian February 17 under the headline: End of the Peer Show by Jonathan Freedland http://www.guardian.co.uk/print/0,3858,4861057-103677,00.html At the heart of Billy’s proposals for an elected second chamber is a “closed list system”. This is similar to the current method of selecting Labour candidates for the European Parliamentary elections. Lists can be abused by party officials. Billy admits this is an issue. In his original proposal, A Genuine Expression of the Will of the People (2001) available from www.secondarymandate.org he wrote: “Ensuring regional lists are compiled democratically by party members in each region should help to move the process away from central control”. Labour cabinet ministers have been warned that unless they agree to the lists being nominated and compiled in the regions on a one-member-one vote basis, there would be repercussions from the electorate. Billy told STLP, “Any hint of appointment or fixing would leave us open to the accusations of cronyism that these reforms should eradicate once and for all. The process must be transparent to voters if we are to use the secondary mandate to start re-building trust and participation.” This point was made in a letter by STLP Chair, Peter Kenyon published in the Guardian February 20 http://www.guardian.co.uk/print/0,3858,4862817-103683,00.html ACTION POINTS 1. Get the issue on your CLP Agenda 2. Copy CLP resolutions to webmaster@savethelabourparty.org and billybragg@secondarymandate.org so everyone can see Labour Party members have a say in policy making. State funding of political parties – hearings and debates start next week This issue is vital to the future democracy and representativeness of the Labour Party. If state funding is introduced it would allow the New Labour Party Leadership to: · End individual party membership-replacing it with mere supporters on the USA model -as advocated by Peter Mandelson last year. · Break the link with the trades unions and other affiliated organisations (please alert your trades union to these events) P lease do your best to attend these events when they are held in your region/country. Details of the consultation started in May 2003, current hearings and debates are at www.electoralcommission.gov.uk STLP’s campaign link is www.savethelabourparty.org/campaigns 21st century party consultation The closing date for submissions to this Labour Party consultation about the future of the Party is in April. This is an opportunity for your CLP and or branch to tell the Party Leadership what sort of Labour Party you are ready to support. STLP’s campaign link is www.savethelabourparty.org/21stcenturyparty Democracy Watch At the 2003 AGM of Save the Labour Party it was agreed to set up Democracy Watch to encourage members to record and publicise breaches and distortions of the Party rules by Party staff or members. With preparations for the 2004 Annual Party conference now underway this is a vital service to ensure better democratic outcomes. STLP’s campaign link is www.savethelabourparty.org/demowatch Membership Inquiry Following end year figures showing membership inflated by arrears, the pilot questionnaire is being distributed nationally. STLP’s campaign link is www.savethelabourparty.org/questionnaire Diary dates – see www.savethelabourparty.org/events for details STLP member meetings - 2004 Manchester - 13 March London – 26 June Manchester – 18 September London AGM -13 November |