Corbyn's Political Secretary leads Democracy Review

Katy Clark, Jeremy Corbyn's political secretary attended a special meeting of Poole Labour Party members in March to discuss the party's Democracy Review. A report of the meeting is published below.

Katy Clark

• The party is conducting a review of internal democracy, talking to as many groups and members as possible. A report will be issued in the summer.

• A key issue is how can the party’s newly expanded membership help turn the party into a mass movement that can bring about a lasting transformation of society.

• Over 3000 submissions were made to the first phase of the review process (including one by Poole CLP on the Women’s Conference). The deadline for the next phase in 23 March 2018 and Poole CLP’s submission will be based on the points listed below.

• Democracy is not just about voting every 5 years. Lots of people have been enthused by the election of Jeremy Corbyn as leader and the party’s structure and organisation needs to give them the energy, vision and hope that another world is possible.

Points to be made in Poole CLP’s submission

The role of Labour Party conference

• Labour Party conference appears to have two contradictory functions. One is to showcase the party and present a unified message to the public, whilst the other is to make policy. By its very nature, policy making and the democratic process can lead to disagreements and divisions which the media and our opponents will try to exploit. There is therefore merit in considering having two separate events, each with a specific role.

• There also needs to be more clarity as to the limits of the democratic process when it comes to the party conference. It strives to be the sovereign policy making body, yet experience has shown that the cabinet/shadow cabinet can seek to change policies with which they do not agree.

• To ensure every CLP can exercise its democratic rights, at least one delegate should be funded centrally by the Labour Party; to include fares, accommodation and entrance to the event. The event should not be seen as a fundraiser, and neither should CLPs have to pay additionally to take part in the democratic process.

Training and Information

• CLPs with brand new officers urgently need training as to their roles, and mentoring from other party officials. An online booklet is simply not enough.

• The creation of an online Activists’ Hub would be a useful place where ideas could be shared, CLPs could be asked to make regular submissions and discussions could take place as to what does and doesn’t work in relation to local CLP organisation and activity.

• Greater clarity is needed for members to understand the role and function of every aspect of the party: local, regional and national (including the National Policy Forum and Conference). Part of this democratic review process has revealed how little is known about each aspect of the party’s structure, and as a result, that can make it difficult to comment on how things should change. From this comes the need for more model rules and guidelines for CLPs to follow, so that there is consistency across the country, rather than the ad hoc way in which some parts of the party are organised.

• It was discussed that every regional HQ has a different way of handling elections and associated matters. We feel that all regions should be consistent in their approach. In order to do this, the regions would need to know what "good" looks like on a regional level and then have all regionals working towards attaining the same level. This consistency would mean democratic votes carry the same weight no matter which region they're held in. It would also mean that any area regions are lacking in would see improvement by applying a consistent approach.

• A further way of involving greater participation and understanding would be through the idea of micro conferences – on a much smaller level than the current regions. This would help to build closer, stronger and more practical networks of support across local CLPs. Funds would of course be required to make this happen.

General points for Poole CLP to consider

• The CLP needs to consider ways in which we can better reflect the surrounding and diverse communities in Poole. Should we be asking other groups from outside the Labour Party (eg. ethnic minority groups, disabled groups, trade unions etc) to have an input into shaping Labour Party policy and activity? Can we enable groups to self organise in places where they feel safe and that are accessible to them and at times which fit into their cultural and identified group lifestyles as well a work patterns.

• There is a need to talk to local union branches regarding both extra financial support and greater involvement in the work of the local party.

• The CLP should consider inviting our regional board members to address a meeting and explain their role and that of the regional party.