The National Policy Forum met at Aston University last weekend, 16/7 June 2012. Here some of those present describe the highlights for them. For all of them, it was the last meeting in this term of office (and in most cases, they were still waiting to hear whether they have been re-elected). It has also barely met in this period, and, in spite of all the promise of Refounding Labour and Ed Miliband’s change agenda, has been a frustrating agenda. More contributions will be added. Continue reading
Tagged with Refounding Labour
National policy forum – at last, things are getting better
Early reports from the National Policy Forum meeting in Birmingham at the weekend are encouraging not only about the review of policy itself, but also about the reform of the process. We shall bring you fuller reports by tomorrow, but in the meantime there seem to be grounds for thinking things are really getting better.
The change seems to be the result of a combination of factors: Iain McNicol as General Secretary and now at last, supported by his new Executive Board appointments, in control of the party apparatus; Angela Eagle replacing Peter Hain in the Chair; and Jon Cruddas replacing Liam Byrne as Ed’s choice to lead the policy review in parliament. Continue reading
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At last, let’s have a policy process which empowers members
Last week we welcomed Ed’s replacement of Liam Byrne with Jon Cruddas and his nomination of Angela Eagle to chair Labour’s national policy forum. The fact was that Liam Byrne had wasted 18 months without any genuine advance in the policy review, and Peter Hain had failed to establish a working model of member participation in policy during his term as chair of the national policy forum. Whilst discussions between party officials and the unions do continue about how it might be reformed, the Campaign for Labour Party Democracy (CLPD) has now circulated a rule change which would deliver Ed’s promised of making Labour a “living, breathing party” with a real voice for members. Continue reading
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The reform of Labour policy process is unstoppable: Ed’s office please take note
As the extended period of consultation about Refounding Labour reaches its conclusion tomorrow, it has become clear that the determination to democratise decision-making extends across the party and its affiliates, and across the political spectrum. It cannot be stopped by the desire of the Leader’s advisers to force trade unions to give up yet more of the influence they have in the party they founded and continue to fund. Continue reading
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10 ways in which Refounding Labour might actually happen
Were you or your local party consulted about our new commitments on freezing public sector pay or not reversing Tory cuts? No? And what about or policy review more generally — have you felt any more involved than you did in the New Labour years? We thought not. As it happens, you’ve got one more week to respond to the party’s consultation on how “to make a reformed policy making system more accessible and responsive to Party members.” You can respond as individuals or through your CLP by 31 January, online or send your views to Iain McNicol and Peter Hain at party HQ. Needless to say, we have some views of our own. Continue reading
