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| Minutes of the Second Annual General Meeting 13 November 2004 - Park Crescent Conference Centre, London W1 Present: Mark Ackary, Patricia d’Ardenne, Stefan Cholewka, Martin Cook, Robert Corfe, Trevor Fisher, Kath Fry, Edward Hart, Mark James, Gaye Johnston, Peter Kenyon (Chair) Margarita Morales, Matthew Patrick, Helen Peters, Susan Press, Tim Root, Clive Rosher, Maggie Rosher, Peter Talbot. Apologies: Norman Antill, Pat Antill, Mike Bird, Ann Black, Dave Brown, Nick Davies, Paul France, Pete Firmin, Brian Grace, Barry Gray, Bill Holdsworth, James Irving,Terry Johnston, May Leadill, Frank MacManus,Tony Probert, Mike Shone, Bob Silby, Elaine Smith MSP, Chris Sewell, Rev Ken Targett, Christine Taylor, Ethel Thompson, Coun. Francis Tonks, Mick Williams, Pete Willsman The formal AGM was preceded by an informal meeting addressed by the Rt Hon Michael Meacher MP who highlighted the constitutional crisis we now face in the Labour party and in Parliament. LP is no longer a collective, collegiate party; No listening from the leadership; No possibility of influencing policy; PLP supine and sycophantic; Extreme power and control by the whips; No checks and balances to power of leader; No accountability. An unprecedented situation. He outlined his views on what our proposed Commission on democratic renewal needs to examine – under 3 headings – Party democracy, Parliamentary democracy, & wider democracy in the country. Party democracy – Role of Annual Conference; Selection of MPs & Councillors; Re-selection of MPs; Election of Party Chair; Accountability of Leader (NB. even in private companies, there is an AGM at which the CEO is held to account). Parliamentary democracy - Elected 2nd Chamber; Issue of whipping; Independence of select committees (who appoints to them and controls publication of reports). Wider democracy in the country – Inadequacy of people having just one vote every 4 or 5 years; Possibility of on-line voting and questioning key people on major bills; Possibility of referendums; Devolution of power from Parliament to Regions. Michael concluded by saying that addressing the current lack of democracy is the biggest task facing us all today. But he urged us all to be undaunted (as he is), because there have been other times in history when just a few people have stood firm and succeeded. Members made a number of supportive and positive comments and suggestions, to all of which Michael responded. These have all been recorded. Formal Meeting 1) Work Programme for forthcoming year: Discussion Paper circulated previously. It was agreed that our main focus would be the commission, which should meet publicly and take evidence (but after General Election – assuming that is May 2005). Peter & Gaye had approached a number of people as potential Chairs, without success, but Michael Meacher has now volunteered to chair it. After discussion about how we could consult members in order to make a submission to the commission, TR suggested exploring the feasibility of an opinion poll, either by a Newspaper or MORI or possibly a student project. PK & GJ to pursue these options. It was agreed that we should ask the Grassroots Umbrella to organise a National Conference to publicise the commission and that the commission should hold a number of conferences in different parts of the country. After a vote, it was agreed that we should suspend operations once a general election has been called. The other proposals within the work programme were also agreed. 2) Minutes of 2003 AGM. Moved as correct record by Maggie Rosher and seconded by Trevor Fisher. Agreed nem con. No matters arising. 3) Annual Report 2004. Secretary suggested that next year STLP hold just 2 national meetings – one in London and one in Manchester, but that we organise local meetings in areas with substantial numbers of members – ie Bristol and Scotland. This was agreed. A question was asked about STLP’s position on the European Constitution and the Chair clarified that STLP does not take a position on any matter of policy. Acceptance of Annual Report was moved by Mark James and seconded by Robert Corfe. Agreed nem con. 4) Financial report. Treasurer presented the audited report and thanked the auditors – Mick Williams and Paul France - particularly the detailed scrutiny done by Paul. Income since last AGM was £1,453.74 and expenditure was £1,116.66. Closing balance at end of September was £627.38. It was proposed that a modest donation be made to the Grassroots Umbrella. This proposal was left on the table. Acceptance of report moved by Robert Corfe and seconded by Peter Talbot. Agreed nem con. 5) Review of Annual Subscriptions. It was agreed that these should remain at £12 waged and £6 concessionary (low waged, unwaged and associate members). 6) Constitutional changes. Two options were put forward by the Committee :- A) to increase the overall membership of the committee to eleven, of whom eight to be elected; at least three must be women and one must be under 27. The remaining three places will be filled by nomination: one will be nominated by Welsh Labour Grassroots, one will be nominated by the Campaign for Socialism (Scotland) and one by the Labour Campaign for Open Local Government. B) members to be invited to elect eleven members from whom officers and committee members with special responsibilities would be elected as per the current constitutional provisions. In addition, the current excellent gender balance is to be protected constitutionally. Option A was agreed (with 15 votes to 3 for option B). It was moved that the reference to “at least 3 must be women” be deleted, by Susan Press and seconded by Matthew Patrick. Agreed – 9 for, 7 against, 3 abstentions. Changes proposed by Dave Brown were formally moved by Kath Fry. a) To include the words socialist and internationalist. Agreed b) To ensure all future meeting venues are accessible to disabled people. Agreed. c) To elect officers at AGM by the members present. It was pointed out that the postal ballot for committee members has ensured greater participation by STLP members and that the elected committee needs to have the flexibility to allocate specific posts appropriately. Amendment not agreed. 7) Election of Auditors. Paul France and Mick Williams proposed and agreed. 8) Election of Committee for 2005. Proposed timetable for postal ballot agreed (counting to be on 8th January). Scrutineers elected – Peter Talbot (Islington North CLP) and Margarita Morales (Hammersmith & Fulham CLP). Meeting closed at 3.30pm. Gaye Johnston - Secretary November 2004 |