‘Our membership is our party’

Unite delegate Angela Duerden took a stand for Labour Party democracy as she gave a speech opposing a constitutional amendment on Sunday (September 28).

She outlined how the amendment would mean that Constituency Labour Party (CLP) delegates on the National Policy Forum – where Labour Party policy is decided — could only be elected by delegates at the national conference.

“Our party must be a democratic party,” Angela said, noting that the amendment “undermines the fundamental principle of one member, one vote”.

She highlighted that small CLPs in particular would lose out, since many of these CLPs wouldn’t be able to afford to send delegates to the national conference. She added, too, that not all members can secure time off work, or have the financial means to travel to Liverpool to attend the conference.

“Our membership is our party,” Angela went on to say. “It is our members up and down the country who are canvassing in our communities. It is they who are on the doorsteps, talking to our neighbours and to colleagues in the workplace. They shouldn’t be excluded from a chance to shape the policy of our party and the platforms we campaign on.”

Angela made the point that the Party should be looking for ways to support members in participating more in party democracy, not limiting them.

“I urge you – let each member do their part,” she concluded to applause. “Allow each member their vote.”

By Hajera Blagg

Photo by Mark Thomas