Vote early, vote left!
This year’s election to the Constituency section of the Labour Party NEC is being held earlier than previously, probably in May and June.
Officially this is because the result distracts attention from the key issues at Party conference. The Blair coterie was certainly upset when the victory of four Grassroots Alliance candidates was announced just before Blair’s ‘shirtsleeves’ session with delegates at the beginning of last years conference.
However, the cynical also believe it is also because party structures will be closed down for most of April, all of May and part of June, due to local, Scottish, Welsh and European elections, thus hindering campaigning. It also helps Michael Cashman, elected last year on the Blairite slate, to stand again as a ‘rank and file candidate’ just before becoming an MEP in a favoured position on the West Midlands list.
In order to deter interest, the date for nominations was also brought forward to April 9, something not many activists found out easily.
At the time of going to press it looks certain that all 6 Grassroots Alliance candidates – Ann Black, Bill Butler, Liz Davies, Mark Seddon, Christine Shawcroft and Pete Willsman – will get the requisite nominations (and more).
What is unclear is precisely what the opposition is this year.
Diana Jeuda and Michael Cashman, the two succesful Blairites last year, are standing again, but it is unclear whether there are even 4 other Blairite candidates. There is certainly no sign to date of another ‘Members First’ campaign.
Maybe after last year’s debacle and the Welsh leadership election the Blairites have decided they have a better chance if they play things low key. They want to retain the two places they won last year, but given that the NEC is so marginalised from decision-making they can perhaps ‘live with’ having four oppositions elected.
Last year's result was a product of serious campaigning by rank and file activists
This seems particularly so as they currently have no real support among other NEC members. Members of affiliated unions should try to ensure that union nominees are willing to challenge Blair and pressure is kept up on NEC members to represent union policy.
Despite this marginalisation, it is important to use the election to mount a campaign around Labour’s policies and lack of democracy, and to organise those supporting the Grassroots Alliance candidates.
Those elected last year have used their time on the NEC to report what goes on at meetings of what is supposedly Labour’s top body, and to campaign against many of the policies of the leadership.
Last year’s result was a product of serious campaigning by rank and file activists, circulating leaflets, contacting party members, and organising meetings at which the candidates could put forward their arguments.
Despite the elections, activists should look to do the same, but even more effectively, this year.