Discussions among the Left and ‘Centre Left’ in the Labour Party have produced an initial slate for the constituency section of the National Executive Committee.
While this slate is in many ways a good one, the same cannot be said for the process by which it has been arrived at. For a slate to command maximum support, it needs to be debated by as large a forum as possible.
Instead, this was essentially sewn up by a few individuals. Later, a very limited participation was permitted by representatives of the wider left, but more to secure their support than to offer any real say in either the platform or the candidates.
Thus candidates put forward by the Network of Socialist Campaign Groups were simply passed over with no discussion. A candidate in the 1997 general election, Nick Holden, and Maria Exall, CWU National Executive member, were apparently regarded as too left wing for the slate. So was ex-MP Mildred Gordon, currently campaigning strongly among pensioners.
Attempts to improve a politically weak platform were similarly brushed aside on the grounds that the proposed changes were not acceptable to Labour Reform. Sections of the Left, in particular the Campaign for Labour Party Democracy, used Labour Reform as a smokescreen to avoid arguing their own politics.
Similarly ignored were arguments for a slate based on candidates with a strong base in different regions, in favour of a slate which very much has the look of the ‘London Left.’
Labour Reform put forward two right wingers, Terry Thomas and Michael Cashman at stages of the discussion, and were prepared to ignore the protests of some on the Left about their track record. However, neither appeared to be willing to stand on a slate with people well to their left.
Anni Marjoram of the Labour Women’s Action Committee was also accepted on to the slate, despite reservations expressed because of her role in the Morning Star dispute (defending "management’s right to manage"), but has now withdrawn under pressure.
While these withdrawals are welcome, their effect, together with that of the refusal to countenance other candidates, has been that this ‘alliance’ has only 6 people seeking nomination for 6 places (at least 3 of whom must be women). Given the difficulties of securing nomination, this makes it possible that the slate will have less people on it than there are places.
The best response to this method of deciding the slate is to build a Left which is open and democratic throughout the election campaign.
At this stage the crucial thing is to secure nominations. Previously candidates had only to secure the nomination of their own Constituency Party. Although the changes made at last year’s conference under ‘Partnership in Power’ left the details suitably vague, the leadership have introduced additional hurdles this time.
Candidates have to get not only the nomination of their own CLP, but also those of two others in other regions of the Labour Party. Given that MPs are no longer allowed to stand, this makes it much harder for lesser-known rank and file candidates. It means that unless a candidate is in their CLP, activists should only nominate candidates from outside their region.
The candidates proposed are: Kathy Jamison, member of the Scottish Party Executive; Christine Shawcroft, former Tower Hamlets Councillor (kicked off the panel of candidates for opposing cuts) and member of the London Regional Executive; Liz Davies, former Islington Councillor prevented from standing as a candidate in the general election; Mark Seddon, editor of Tribune; Pete Wilsman, member of the Conference Arrangements Committee; and Andy Howell, Labour Reform member.
Nominations have to be in by June 5, which leaves little time in those branches and CLPs closed down for council elections.
Once nominations close, it will be an immense task to publicise the candidates and get out the vote. The ballot papers will be sent out at the end of July, and activists should begin now to plan meetings with the candidates.
The election campaign has to be used to build resistance to the government’s policies and the leadership’s continued erosion of democracy in the Party.
Back these Candidates!
Kathy Jamison (Scotland)
Christine Shawcroft (London)
Liz Davies (London)
Mark Seddon (Southern)
Pete Wilsman (London)
Andy Howell (W. Midlands)