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e-News No. 6 21 December 2004 click here for Word version Click here for .pdf version Leadership challenged to rebuild Party STLP has called for the rebuilding of Labour as a mass membership political party following the publication of the Electoral Commission (EC) report on funding of political parties last week. The EC, the political party watchdog, set up by Labour to clean up British politics, has called on all parties to broaden their support. It has proposed new financial incentives to encourage small donations, and threaten to review capping large donations. STLP’s response can be seen at: http://www.savethelabourparty.org/news19.html That page includes links to the EC report published on 16 December 2004 and STLP’s campaigning against State Funding of Political Parties. Write to the General Secretary, and constituency section representative to press for this issue to be on the NEC agenda on 25 January when it next meets. STLP Committee election results Scrutineers elected at the AGM ruled that all eight eligible nominations were elected. They are: Mark Ackary*, Stefan Cholewka, Trevor Fisher, Kath Fry, Dr Gaye Johnston, Peter Kenyon, Matthew Patrick*† and Susan Press. *New member †Young Labour A total of nine nominations were received. One was ruled ineligible for non-payment of membership subscription. The Committee’s next meeting will be in Manchester on 29 January. Candidate statements will be posted at: http://savethelabourparty.org/contacts The number of elected positions was increased to eight from seven at the 2004 AGM, three additional members will be co-opted from Wales, Scotland and local government. Conference decisions and the British General Election manifesto All CLP secretaries have been sent a copy of the Grassroots Umbrella Project model resolution calling on the government to honour leadership promises to include policies agreed under the new Partnership in Power arrangements in the next General Election Manifesto. The resolution, briefing paper and covering letter from the Project’s chair, Cllr Tom Davidson can be seen at: http://www.savethelabourparty.org/0411_Post_Conference_resolutions.html Labour Party seeks to turn tables on STLP over legal requirements The Labour Party is engaged in a “tit-for-tat” battle with STLP over compliance with the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000. Peter Watt, Head of the Constitutional and Legal Unit at Labour Party Head Office wrote to STLP on 10 December 2004 demanding to know whether STLP was aware of its obligations to register donations and file reports with the Electoral Commission. This follows an exchange of correspondence with Labour Party General Secretary over misleading information being filed by the Labour Party with the Electoral Commission concerning membership. The Labour Party has done nothing to correct the public record. Details of the Labour Party sleight of hand can be seen at: http://www.savethelabourparty.org/040701_NEWS_RELEASE_06.doc Watt’s letter has been referred to the Electoral Commission for formal advice, following verbal guidance from the EC that STLP did not appear to fall within the scope of the legislation. __________________________________________________ Save the Labour Party as a membership organisation in which members have rights as well as responsibilities and matter as much as money to win elections. © Save the Labour Party 2004 Published by STLP 20,Winterley Drive, Huncoat, Accrington, BB5 6UE |