A document on the Labour Party’s democracy review has been leaked outlining how the party plans to involve its hugely expanded membership to become a mass movement which can transform society.
As of June 2017, Labour had 552,000 members, far out-performing the Tories 149,800 members and Lib Dems 102,000 members.
And now the party plans to seize on its rapidly growing supporter base in order to transform society by working closely with its member-base and affiliated organisations.
Included in the plans are three phases to be rolled out over the next six months which will look at the role of Young Labour, improving diversity and gender representation and strengthening the involvement and participation of members.
There will be a hub for the review hosted on the Labour Party website where members, CLPs, affiliates and other stakeholders will be able to access the consultation questions and submit responses.
Read the full leaked document below:
Labour Party Democracy Review
Background
At the meeting on 29 September, the NEC agreed the terms of reference for a Review of Labour Party Democracy. The Review is to be led by Katy Clark assisted by Claudia Webbe and Andy Kerr from the NEC. The review will report to the Jeremy Corbyn and to Ian Lavery MP, the Party Chair.
The overarching theme of the review is to ensure that the hugely expanded membership is fully involved to become a mass movement which can transform society.
Work plan
The review will be formally launched in early November. The Review team will consult widely with CLPs, affiliated trade unions, other affiliated organisations, the PLP and individual members and will produce a first report for Annual Conference 2018.
The review team will be seeking responses to all areas of the review from the launch. However, given the wide-ranging nature of the review, in order to manage the workload and deal appropriately with responses, there will be three phases with deadlines for submission on particular topics.
Phase one will cover:
The role of BAME Labour
The role of Young Labour
The role of Labour Party Women’s Conference.
The deadline for phase one will be 12 January.
Phase two will cover:
The governance of CLPs
The role of socialist societies
Improving diversity and gender representation
Strengthening the involvement and participation of members
The recruitment of members and harnessing the potential of social media.
The deadline for phase two will be 23 March
Phase three would cover:
The method of electing the Party Leader
The composition of the NEC
Regional structures
Freeze dates
The policy process including CLP motions
Local government
Local and national links with Trade Unions.
The deadline for phase three will be 29 June.
Consultation process
There will be a hub for the review hosted on the Labour Party website where members, CLPs, affiliates and other stakeholders will be able to access the consultation questions and submit responses. In addition there will be a dedicated email address democracy@labour.org.uk where submissions can be received as well as any queries about the consultation. And there will be facility for receiving paper submissions.
The review will be holding at least one consultation event for members in each Nation or Region. In addition, members of the review team will be visiting a wide range of CLPs and other party units and organisations to profile best practice.
A calendar of consultation events is currently being constructed and a ‘live’ version will be available at the meeting.
