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| e-News No. 4 7 September 2004 click here for Word version Operation Labour Conference 2004 In the run up to Conference, STLP has teamed up with other centre-left organisations to review the democratic legitimacy of our ruling party. Our current efforts are focused on finding out how many CLPs will be represented in Brighton and by whom. Latest data shows 20% will not be represented. A special reception is being organised on the eve of Conference. For more details: email Lizzie@savethelabourparty.org Would the NEC survive a formal AGM? STLP has asked the Conference Arrangements Committee to organise a formal Annual General Meeting at the start of conference to enable delegates to raise issues about how the Labour Party is run. For more details: http://www.savethelabourparty.org/Member_Briefing_AGM.PDF Elected chair Reshuffle speculation concerning the future of un-elected Party Chair Ian McCartney MP has prompted declarations of support from NEC member Ann Black and GMB general secretary Kevin Curran. STLP issued a statement yesterday challenging the Prime Minister's right to make any such appointment. Manchester Central CLP has a Rule change on the agenda for the Brighton Conference. For more details: http://www.savethelabourparty.org/brief2.html Labour Party Membership Early indications from the latest sample survey of end June 2004 national membership data suggest that Labour continues to lose members after brief signs of possible levelling out earlier in the year. This adds further urgency to STLP's challenge to the Party Leader to rebuild membership and encourage activism ahead of the next election. For more details: http://www.savethelabourparty.org/membership.html Annual Report and Accounts Under the present rules these documents do not have to be despatched until at least two weeks before Conference. However, for any CLP wanting to find official membership figures, details of corporate governance arrangements and a full set of accounts go to the Electoral Commission website. The Accounts highlight Labour's growing dependence on large individual financial donations - risking the Party's democratic legitimacy further. For more details: http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/templates/search/document.cfm/10722 State funding of political parties The Electoral Commission is meeting tomorrow (Wednesday) to consider its report. No information is currently available about whether the report will be published before or after the Annual Party Conferences. For STLP's last update: http://www.savethelabourparty.org/partyfunding.html Commission for Party Renewal The establishment of an independent Commission on Party Renewal to oversee a comprehensive review of the 21st century party and Partnership in Power initiatives remains STLP's preferred route to strengthening Labour's membership base. A broader consensus about the best way to rebuild the party and encourage activism remains elusive. For more details: http://savethelabourparty.org/commission Has Labour a future without the Party on the Ground? Have you read STLP’s first pamphlet, authored by founding member Gaye Johnston Download from: http://www.savethelabourparty.org/STLP1.PDF © Save the Labour Party 2004 Published by STLP 20,Winterley Drive, Huncoat, Accrington, BB5 6UE |