Blair's proposals on restructurOMB out a can au cans bion our af discussion.
This amounts to more resolutions on a single topic than were submitted at the height of the struggle by the Left for constitutional change in the late 1970s.
It is rumoured that Standing Orders Committee is being 'encouraged' to rule the deferral motions out of order on the grounds that if you want to deferral you vote against the S.O.C. Report.
Alienate
However, this would probably only serve to alienate CLPs which have not rejected the proposals outright.
A further important development is the leaking of a response from the 'New Left in New Labour' group, written by Derek Fatchett, Peter Hain and Jean Corston, deputy chair of the PLP.
This not-so-left grouping is close to Cook and Prescott. Their response, while again generally welcoming the document, defends the right of conference to discuss 'topical issues' and direct trade union representation on the Party GMB APEX: Lining up in defence of the link: even the GMB has joined the criticism structures, including at least a third of NEC members.
Blair now has a problem. He is arrogant enough to believe that he can get his proposals through conference regardless. However, he might come unstuck. If he waters down the proposals to take account of some of the criticism, he will be seen as having backed down.
Union and CLP activists have to drive home their advantage, arguing that the proposals need to be thrown out in their totality now, and mandating delegates to do so.
While half-measures would be a defeat for Blair, they would also leave the door open to come back for more later.
The 'Keep the Link' campaign will be producing a response to the new proposals, speakers should still be invited to meetings and affiliation won. * The 'Keep the Link' campaign can be contacted c/o 138 Crampton Street, London SE17 3AE.