On June 22 the SSP held a special one-day conference which discussed wide ranging changes to the SSP constitution designed to bring the party structures into line with the expanded membership.
The constitution being reviewed was, with only minor amendments, that adopted when the Scottish Socialist Alliance was formed. At that time the National Council was small enough and met frequently enough to take all decisions. Most members were in the central belt of Scotland, so there was reasonable representation and any member could attend the national council. Each branch had one member on the National Council.
Over the years an ad hoc executive committee grew up consisting of National Officers and full time staff, the number of branches grew and regional councils started to meet. The National Council met less frequently due to its size and the centrality of the Executive increased.
The democracy of the Executive began to be questioneed, given that the ISM platform had around 12 of the 16 members, and that there were few lay members involved and no direct elections
At the National Conference in 2001, a working party was set up to review the constitution. The February 2002 conference took some steps regarding internal democracy, but also called a special conference to review the constitution. The draft constitution was issued to branches for consideration and amendment in early May.
Implemented changes.
SSP membership communications have significantly improved in recent months.
Two monitored SSP members-only email groups exist; a National Council mail group in which Executive papers and minutes are circulated, and an SSP debates mail group. Each branch should receive information through the former, and proposed resolutions and amendments rapidly get to all members. The latter has carried discussion on for example the Euro debate.
Two national members’ mailings have been produced, mainly dealing with the special conference. The plan is to produce 10 mailings to all members a year. The latest, as well as dealing with the conference, invites members to join newly formed working groups to prepare the 2003 Manifesto and reports on progress on the School Meals Bill; mobilising for the European Social Forum.
It carries the timetable for selection for the Scottish parliament, reports from regions and on Youth work and a member’s diary.
Regional committees are now functioning in all 8 regions and act as the main forum for branch reports and setting local campaigning priorities.
As a result of a response to a dues appeal, more party organisers have been appointed and the national office has expanded to a second office suite.
Special Conference
The Special Conference was always going to be sparsely attended. Only the Euro and the constitution were being discussed, the World Cup was on, and it was a sunny Saturday. In the event around 200 delegates (1/3 of those eligible) attended.
The morning was devoted to the Euro debate (see over), and as the temperature in the room rose and constitutional discussions started at 2pm numbers dwindled.
The report from the working group comprised a complete redraft of the constitution. The "Aims and Principles" are broadly unchanged with five broad aims: socialist transformation of society; campaigning and solidarity; opposing discrimination; an independent socialist Scotland; international solidarity.
The main change proposed was a redefinition of the role of the National Council, Executive Committee and Regional Councils.
The National Council was to be responsible for implementing party policy between conferences; and monitoring the work of the Executive, standing committees and working parties. It would comprise at least 2 delegates per branch – 1 per 20 members, plus the executive committee, regional organisers and platform representatives. This would give it around 180 members in current circumstances and will in effect act as a mini conference, meeting every 2 months.
The monthly Executive Committee will provide political and strategic leadership and be responsible for day to day running of the party. The proposal was for an executive of 5 national officers plus 14 members (7 men, 7 women) directly elected by national conference plus a top up of 1 from any region not otherwise represented. Regional organisers and other officials would not be members by right but could attend as observers.
The proposed constitution defined branches as the building blocks of the party, based on geographical, normally electoral areas. Rules for branch AGMs and officials were detailed.
Regional Councils were defined for the first time having the role of co-ordinating and prioritising campaigning based on national priorities. Regional Councils will consist of 2 delegates from each branch, regional affiliates, and network representatives and will meet monthly.
Office bearers, organisers and spokespersons have their roles defined for the first time as are do Conference Arrangements Committee and other Standing Committees which will generally be elected by National Conference. Other groupings such as Networks, Youth and Student Groups and Trade Union groups are also included in the constitution.
The right to organise platforms or tendencies is guaranteed: "members have the right to organise in Platforms or Tendencies". "Platforms/Tendencies have a right to be heard, to organise meetings, to produce literature, to distribute materials at SSP meetings", and "platforms/tendencies are not expected, however, to organise public campaigns against the overall aims or policy of the party."
The constitution aims for gender equality on all national bodies and specifies voting mechanisms to achieve this.
For the first time the constitution makes elected bodies accountable to the membership and elected officers recallable. Rules for electing/selecting members standing in elections are also set out including a requirement for gender equality.
Amendments
There were 3 main sets of amendments to the proposals.
Proposals to ensure all member regional meetings were held regularly were felt over prescriptive. A proposal to elect Regional Officers for 4 year terms was defeated as it would change the relationship of regional full timers from volunteers to paid officials.
A proposal to cut the size of the National Council and remove officers from it seemed odd until the discussions began on the amendments relating to the Executive.
It became clear that there was a concerted attempt by most Regional Organisers to retain their right to automatic membership of the Executive. The proposed changes to the National Council flowed from an assumption that this would continue to be the case. In effect the National Council would have been prevented from effective scrutiny of the Executive.
This amendment to the National Council proposals was defeated 65 to 70 on a card vote. The changes to the National council will come into effect from the August.
Amendments to the proposals on the Executive focused on electing the Executive from the Regional Councils, with the regional organiser automatically elected. These proposals were backed by all but one regional organiser.
In opposing them, both Allan Green, the National Secretary and Frances Curran the ISM organiser, made clear the need to break the perceived hold of the ISM over the party apparatus, for political pluralism.
The proposals would have allowed the ISM to continue to dominate the Executive. Alan McCoombes and I argued against regionalism and for the Party Conference to decide the National Leadership.
This debate raged for over an hour and ended in a series of card votes. On a show of hands most votes appeared passed, but were all narrowly defeated after a count, the final vote 64 to 67. All other amendments to the new constitution that was then endorsed were remitted to next year’s conference. Most of these were minor.
Political Effect
This conference was a strike against the potential for bureaucratism. Regional organisers have played, and continue to play a key role in building the party, have been prevented from translating this into political control. Conference will decide the leadership.
Representation of political currents and tendencies and lay members on the leadership is guaranteed by the STV vote system. All regions will be represented; gender equality is built in.
Regional organisers will remain on the Executive till the February conference where most of them will be re-elected. There is no doubt that individually they play an invaluable role.
The ISM was once again divided over constitutional proposals, as it was at National Conference over women’s selection in winnable seats. Alan McCoombes and Frances Curran strongly backed the proposals but were opposed by 5 ISM regional organisers. The SWP, who had at peak 37 delegates, effectively ensured the constitutional proposals were passed.
The new constitution is designed to facilitate party growth both in numbers and influence over the next 5 years. The working group, which comprised people from all the main platforms and none are to be congratulated on a job well done.