Tagged with CLPs

Millions not millionaires: more members speak out to defend the union link

Defend the Link colourOver the past few weeks, we’ve been reporting on the numerous party branches and organisations who have spoken out in defence of the Labour-union link following worrying statements on its future from leader Ed Miliband.

The latest constituency Labour party (CLP) to add its voice to the fray is Hackney North and Stoke Newington, where a motion was passed opposing “any and all suggestions that would weaken or undermine the relationship between the Party and the trade unions based upon collective affiliation”.

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Threat to the Labour-union link: the party grassroots respond

Over the coming weeks Left Futures will be collating responses to the “Collins Review” from CLPs, CLP branches and other grassroots organisations. We have already covered the motion from London Young Labour. Of course most CLPs do not meet in August but nevertheless we have already become aware of some excellent responses from the grassroots. For example, the GC of Leyton and Wanstead CLP carried the following resolution: Continue reading →

The real test of Ed’s commitment to democracy is on reform of the wider party

Labour MPs have voted today to back Ed Miliband in abolishing shadow cabinet elections, with 196 (76%, or 83% of those voting) in favour, 41 against and 20 not voting. Last September the same PLP had rejected the same proposal and, instead, voted to elect the Chief Whip for the first time (although in the end Ed Miliband ensured that his favoured candidate was elected unopposed).

Interestingly, the proposal will go to the Party Conference as part of the Refounding Labour process, led by Peter Hain. This will be the first time the party conference has voted on the rules of the PLP which, unlike every other section of the party, has always agreed its own rules. Perhaps that innovation will somewhat moderate the disappointment of many in the party outside parliament that internal party elections are being abolished. The real test, however, of EdMiliband’s commitment to democracy within the party will be in how he and Peter Hain propose to reform the party’s structure. Continue reading →