Save the Labour Party - democratic renewal campaign, mass membership promotion, party leadership issues, political party rebuilding, minutes, events

Minutes of the First Annual General Meeting
29 November 2003 - Central Methodist Hall, Manchester

The meeting was preceded by an open meeting on the theme of “New Labour and Democracy - Uneasy Bedfellows” - addressed by the Rt. Hon Michael Meacher M.P. Tony Lloyd M.P. and Pat Buttle of USDAW

Present: Trevor Fisher-Acting Chair, Gaye Johnston - Acting Secretary, Kath Fry - Acting Treasurer (who chaired the AGM), Ian Brown, Dave Barter, Pat Buttle, Stefan Cholewka, Robert Corfe, Tony Dale, Pete Firmin, Paul France, Anne Gardener, Mike Green, Mark James, Peter Kenyon, Mike McIlroy, Paul McLean, Frank McManus, Alan Newbould, Susan Press, Moira Ridings, Tim Root, Stan Skinkis, Hannah Straiton, Christine Taylor, Jonathan Timbers, Mick Williams, Barry Winter and Bob Wood.

Apologies: Ann Black, Michael Chewter, Martin Cook, Mary Craven, Nick Davies, Vladimir and Vera Derer, Ian Flintoff, Patrick Hall, Bill Holdsworth, Terry Johnston, Frances Kelly, Geoff Lumley, Clive Rosher, Maggie Rosher, Tony Probert, Christine Shawcroft, Elaine Smith MSP, Rev. Ken Targett, Coun. Francis Tonks, Bill Whittaker and Eric Woolsey.

1.There are no previous AGM minutes as this was the first AGM of STLP. A welcome and brief written (attached to minutes) and verbal Acting Chair’s address was given by Trevor Fisher. He endorsed the written report given by the Acting Secretary. Save the Labour Party had made a good start and much effort had gone into building the organisation. However much remains to be done especially as we are up against a strong and well-organised opponent in the shape of New Labour.
2. The Acting Secretary, Gaye Johnston, spoke to her written report (All reports presented to the meeting are attached to the minutes). She explained how STLP had come to be formed and that the original vision had been a coalition of organisations working to reclaim the Party. However this type of organisation had not proved financially or constitutionally viable so we have gone ahead with an individual membership organisation to which CLPs can affiliate.   She stressed that it is still vital that we work together with other organisations with similar aims if we are to achieve ours. Immediately prior to the AGM individual membership stood at 110 (with a few still to pay) and two CLPs-Manchester Central and Leeds Central were affiliated. The Acting secretary also outlined STLP activities in 2003 including members meetings, the launch, activity at party Conference and campaigns including our contemporary resolution for party Conference taken up by 20 CLPs, the pilot inquiry into the state of the Labour Party and co-operation with CLPD re other resolutions, with Socialist Campaign Networks on the Labour Rules Working Party and with Labour Reform about priorities for campaigning. The Acting Secretary has received letters of support for STLP from Derek Simpson, Joint General Secretary of Amicus, Billy Hayes, General Secretary of CWU and a request to be kept informed of our activities from the Rt. Hon. Clare Short M.P.
3. The Acting Treasurer, Kath Fry presented the first financial report (also appended). In summary the income for 2003 (up to the AGM) had been Ł624.00 made up of subscriptions and individual donations and the expenditure was Ł358.70 for postage, printing and room hire. The balance at 29/11/03 was Ł265.30. Kath thanked Tim Root for his generous donation of postage costs relating to circulating CLPs with our model resolution.
4. There was a review of individual membership subscriptions for 2004. The Interim Committee proposed an increase to Ł12 pa waged and Ł6 pa concessionary. Subscriptions for 2003 had been for a part year and at an introductory rate. However, it was proposed by Pat Buttle that Ł12 was excessive for those on low wages and after discussion it was agreed that those on low wages could opt to pay the concessionary rate. The affiliation fee for CLPs will be Ł12 pa or more and the same donation rate will apply to trades unions.
5. A rule change was proposed by the Acting Chair and Secretary which would amend the constitution to add a procedure for the election of the Committee (appended). This included an invitation to self nominate to all paid up members to be issued immediately after the AGM, this to be followed by a postal ballot of all members over a three week period- if more than seven are nominated. It was also agreed to appoint independent scrutineers for the ballot at the AGM -from those members not standing. They also proposed a separate timetable for the elections for 2004 which was agreed. This included self-nomination by 22/12/03, ballot papers to go out 27/12/03 to be returned for a count on 17/1/04 with the first meeting of the new committee on 24/1/04. Dave Barter and Mick Williams were appointed as scrutineers by the meeting.
6. A progress report was given by Peter Kenyon, a member of the Interim Committee, into the STLP pilot inquiry into the state of the Labour Party being conducted by himself and another STLP member Frances Kelly. Of the 20 CLPs who had supported our motion and been approached, only six had responded to date. However he agreed to chase the others up. A discussion followed. We need to obtain sponsorship of the final comprehensive survey of CLPs because of the cost. Perhaps the Joseph Rowntree Foundation might be approached or trades unions? We would also benefit from co-operating with other appropriate organisations in this task- such as Labour Reform and Catalyst Trust.
7. A written report from the Acting Secretary on Regional Organisation for STLP was presented, considered and agreed (appended). The purpose of regional organisation is to enable STLP members to meet, network and get organised in their own Labour Party regions. We will also be able to send speakers to CLP meetings. The first major activity is to be the organisation of fringe meetings at the round of regional Party conferences in Spring 2004 and at the Party’s Spring Conference in Manchester on 14/2/04. Some of these may be joint with other similar bodies-we already have an offer from Welsh Labour Grassroots. Later we hope to organise regional briefing meetings for delegates ahead of annual Conference 2004. STLP now has one or more organisers in each Labour Party Region –names and contact details in the Report.
8. A resolution, agreed by the Interim Committee, was presented to the AGM for consideration. The topic is “Democratic Renewal: Response to Blair’s speech at Annual Conference 2003”(aka the Big Conversation). There was a lively debate. The general agreement was that we should encourage STLP members to participate in the Big Conversation, but should always emphasise that Party policy should be made only through the democratic policy making machinery of the Party. An amendment to the resolution was proposed by Susan Press and formally seconded. This entailed the deletion of the last paragraph and the addition at the end of the words “members to contribute to it”. This was carried in a vote as was the amended substantive resolution. The resolution in its final form is appended to these minutes.
9. It was agreed that we discuss the establishment of an STLP website which is now a matter of urgency. Peter Kenyon kindly agreed to take on responsibility for leading this task and to take it on immediately. Tom Davidson one of our members has also offered to help.
10. There was then a discussion of Save the Labour Party’s Strategy for 2004. This included consideration of papers presented by Trevor Fisher(on a Commission on Party Renewal) , Gaye Johnston (on a Democracy Watch exercise) and Tony Probert (STLP’s SW Regional Organiser-not present) on “Towards a More Democratic Political System”. The proposal in the first two papers (attached to these minutes) were adopted. There was also a useful debate in which Tim Root made the point that STLP needs to seek out and engage with prominent and powerful allies e.g. trades union leaders and significant M.P.s. Paul McLean and Bob Wood welcomed the setting up of the Labour rules working party and argued that one of our fist priorities must be to campaign for the democratisation of Party rules. Dave Barter emphasised that one of STLP’s main tasks must be to re-recruit members who have left the Party to return and join the campaign for Party democratisation. There was a general agreement that we need to get ready, well in advance, for the next Party leadership election. It was also agreed that we must work co-operatively and closely with other organisations who share our aims.
11. It was agreed to ask Peter Kenyon and Susan Press to media release appropriate details of the AGM.
12.   In view of the need to book high profile speakers well in advance and to give advance notice to members for their travelling arrangements there was a discussion of prospective dates for STLP meetings in 2004. However, at the suggestion of the Acting Chair it was agreed that these dates would be agreed by the Interim Committee at their final meeting on 3/1/04.
13. The Acting Chair thanked members for their attendance and the Interim Committee and particularly the Acting Secretary for all their hard work. Members present showed their appreciation in the usual way.

Gaye Johnston, Acting Secretary                            December 2003