Tagged with Peter Willsman

Peter Willsman reports from Labour’s March Executive

Peter Willsman reports from the National Executive Committee

Tuesday 21st  March 2017

A useful NEC: dominated by the comprehensive and impassioned presentation (by our two National Campaign Co-ordinators, Andrew Gwynne MP and Ian Lavery MP) of our preparation for the wide range of local elections in the Spring.

Leader’s Report

Jeremy paid tribute to the unremitting and dedicated commitment of our two campaign teams for the Copeland and Stoke Central by-elections. Both teams gave their all and their campaigns could not have done more. The result in Copeland was, of course, very disappointing (as I point out below, Copeland has recently become a marginal seat), but our victory in Stoke was very inspiring. The many flaws of the UKIP leader were ruthlessly exposed. Jeremy also thanked the many helpers from all over the United Kingdom that had given their time to help in both contests. We heavily outnumbered our opponents on the doorstep. Continue reading →

CAC election will be crucial, speakers tell conference rally

Clark & Willsman for CAC v2A packed rally heard last night that delegates have a real chance to re-claim Labour conference for members and meaningful discussion – the election of the conference arrangements committee (CAC).

At CLPD’s opening fringe meeting, delegates heard from CAC candidates Pete Willsman and Katy Clark MP, alongside Diane Abbott, Michael Meacher, Young Labour’s Michelle Collins, ASLEF’s Tosh McDonald and Christine Shawcroft, who sits on Labour’s executive, and others.

“We want a conference that is democratic,” said Clark. She and Willsman are being challenged by two parliamentary whips, in party HQ’s two-fingered salute to the notion of representing grassroots members.

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How YOUR vote is cast for the conference arrangements committee

Clark & Willsman for CAC v2Labour’s constituency branches are increasingly wondering what the point of sending delegates is at all – last year, a whole quarter of constituency branches (CLPs) voted with their feet, and didn’t turn up at all. That’s a quarter of CLPs disenfranchised from numerous votes – but proper participation in conference requires mandating of conference delegates by local members as well as just turning up. What this means is that decisions on how delegates vote should, where possible, be taken by the wider membership rather than delegates themselves. Continue reading →

CAC: The election that could get winning ideas onto Labour’s agenda

Clark & Willsman for CAC v2The deadline for nominating candidates for Labour’s conference arrangements committee (CAC) has passed – and September’s party conference will see battle lines drawn between party democracy champions Katy Clark MP and Pete Willsman, and two parliamentary whips, Heidi Alexander and Tom Blenkinsop. But it’s not too late to make sure your vote is cast for candidates who will stand up for grassroots members, whose voices are all too often lost in the party machine. Continue reading →