Posted by Ann Black

Ann Black’s report from Labour’s March executive

Inside Labour ann black from NECNational Executive Committee, 15 March 2016

Ann Black reports on Labour’s national executive committee meeting which took place this month.

This was a shorter meeting than January, only five-and-a-half hours. Glenis Willmott MEP opened with her European report, pleased that the government had finally applied for flood relief funds after Labour lobbying. Talks with Turkey were aimed at alleviating the refugee crisis, and Labour MEPs would ensure that any money was used for humanitarian assistance. Turkey’s possible accession to the EU was a long way off and would require real progress on human rights, and short-term visa arrangements would apply only within the Schengen area, not to Britain. On the transatlantic trade and investment partnership (TTIP) she promised that Labour would continue to oppose any deal which threatened public services, and to demand transparency in dispute settlement procedures. She stressed that in the coming referendum Labour was backing Britain at the centre of a social Europe, not David Cameron’s very different concept. Continue reading →

Ann Black’s report from Labour’s November executive

Inside Labour ann black from NECNational Executive Committee, 17 November 2015

Ann Black reports on Labour’s national executive committee meeting which took place this month.

The first meeting after conference is always a long session, planning for the challenges ahead. Overall objectives were to develop Labour as a campaigning movement, achieve real change, build trust in communities, and win elections at all levels. Each department would contribute, with strategic leadership on policy, effective opposition to the government, and world-class integrated strategic communications among the more important elements. The NEC’s terms of reference were circulated, and as Chair of the disputes panel I have now joined the NEC officers. Other aspects would be discussed further in January. Some members argued that the NEC had lost power since the days when the working classes ran the party, while others thought that we retained authority but just needed to exercise it. Continue reading →

Ann Black’s report from Labour’s September executive

Inside Labour ann black from NECNational Executive Committee, 22 September 2015

Ann Black reports on Labour’s national executive committee meeting which took place this month.

NEC meetings have their own familiar rituals, and though the world may have changed, the routine remained the same.  Members welcomed the return of Dennis Skinner, replacing John Healey who is now in the shadow cabinet, and congratulated Jeremy Corbyn and Tom Watson on their election as leader and deputy leader.  Both addressed the NEC and responded to questions and comments.  

Jeremy Corbyn thanked general secretary Iain McNicol, NEC Chair Jim Kennedy, and the staff who worked throughout the summer, registering all the new supporters.  During his campaign people told him repeatedly that they wanted things done differently.  He stressed that the new young members were not steeped in party culture, and if local meetings were devoted solely to minutes and matters arising, they would not come back, a sentiment with which Tony Blair would surely have agreed.  Continue reading →

Ann Black’s report from Labour’s July executive

NEC Report ABNational Executive Committee, 21 July 2015

Ann Black reports on Labour’s national executive committee meeting which took place this month.

Interim leader Harriet Harman said that we were living through turbulent times, and she was under no illusions about the scale of the challenge. Labour had to listen to the country and campaign in a spirit of unity and mutual respect. Councillors would provide vital links, particularly in areas with few MPs.

She and others laid bare the iniquities of the Tory welfare bill. Twelve billion pounds of cuts would take more than £1,000 from many working people through slashing tax credits, even with a higher minimum wage. Those not in work would also suffer; the £100 employment support allowance for the work-related activity group would be reduced to £70, the same as the job-seeker’s allowance. Child poverty targets would be scrapped. Abolishing maintenance grants would raise student debt from £22,000 to £43,000 and could deter poorer students. The 1% annual reduction in social rents might look attractive to tenants but would make it harder for councils and housing associations to maintain their stock, and selling off housing association properties would mean fewer affordable homes. Continue reading →

Twelve things Labour members thought about the general election campaign

NEC Report ABOn 8 May I mailed Labour Party members asking for feedback on the campaign and thoughts on the way forward. I received hundreds of messages from all parts of the UK which I collated and passed to the Learning the Lessons Taskforce.

The document runs to 231 pages and may be rather indigestible, so I encourage everyone who wrote to me, and indeed everyone else, to contribute directly to the taskforce as well. There is a survey at here which asks:

  • What do you believe were the main reasons Labour lost the election?
  • How could we have improved our campaign?
  • What do we need to do to win in 2020?

Continue reading →