At a time when the right wing of the party are more and more openly sabotaging Labour’s election chances, it is important that Labour party members hit back and take control of the selection of Labour candidates. We need Labour candidates who are going to support the leadership and support a Labour election manifesto, not undermine them. We are happy to reproduce here a model resolution on trigger ballots from the Open Selection campaign.
This branch/CLP notes:
* Labour Party conference 2018 voted to reform the trigger ballot, which is currently the only way in which Labour Party members can exercise some democratic control over their parliamentary representative.
* This was moved by the NEC as part of the ‘democracy review’ and thereby superseded the much more democratic rule change for ‘open selection’ of all parliamentary candidates (which was supported by over 95% of CLP delegates at the 2018 conference).
We also note that:
* In January 2019, Labour Party general secretary Jennie Formby was commissioned by the NEC to “urgently” draw up guidelines and a timetable for the implementation of the reformed trigger ballot. Without such guidelines, CLPs cannot launch proceedings.
* In February 2019, eight Labour Party MPs split from the party to form The Independent Group, which is currently known as Change UK.
* The Guardian reported on February 25 that in an “attempt to stop further defections, Labour could delay the start of re-election battles” and that “Labour is set to put back the start of the formal MP selection process, due to begin in a few weeks, which could have led to vast numbers of MPs facing deselection.”
* This is indeed what seems to have happened: At the March and May meetings of the NEC, proposals to implement the trigger ballots have not been presented and this important democratic issue seems to have been kicked into the long grass.
We further note:
* At the snap election in 2017, CLPs were told that the sitting MP would simply remain in place, without any democratic input by the local members.
* The ongoing Brexit crisis makes another snap election or, worse, the formation of a national government, a real possibility. This would undermine the leadership team’s transformative proposals that are supported across the wider Labour movement. Such a development would be welcomed by many current PLP members, given their previous hostility.
* Unless the makeup of the PLP dramatically changes to more accurately reflect the will and composition of the membership, a hostile PLP will jeopardise the Labour Party manifesto resulting in a demoralised and fractured movement and the future viability of the Labour Party.
* The defection of MPs to Change UK and the continued hostility within the PLP highlights how far many PLP members have deviated from their original selection commitments with no sense of accountability or obligation to represent their member constituents. This fuels discord and feeds a hostile media intent on damaging the Party’s reputation with the general public and on undermining future electoral chances. Therefore, it is essential that all MPs be required to renew their mandate with their members, in the spirit of unity to mitigate much of the distracting and negative media coverage and ongoing damage the Party.
We, therefore, urge the NEC to:
* Urgently launch guidelines and a timetable to implement the trigger ballot and help branches and CLPs to get ready in case a snap election is called. Labour Party members must be allowed to exercise the right to hold their representatives to account.
* Rule out the possibility that Labour Party MPs will participate in any kind of ‘national government’.
How trigger ballots work
Labour Party conference 2018 voted to introduce two separate trigger ballots: one for all the branches of a CLP, another one for all local affiliates (trade unions, socialist societies, cooperative organisations).
Once the NEC has published its timetable (and only then) are members and affiliates asked to vote ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to retaining the sitting MP as the only candidate. If 33 % of a CLP’s branches or 33 % of the CLP’s affiliates vote ‘no’, then a full selection process starts – ie, a democratic contest between different candidates, including the sitting MP. Only full Labour Party members have a vote in this next stage of the process.
This is what we know so far on the pending trigger ballot process. Please see below for steps you can take to move this issue forward.
Trigger Ballot Process:
The CLP Exec with the NEC Rep to initiate the process and agree a timetable for the selection.
*The allowed timetable for selection is 8 weeks, although it is expected that many will be able to complete in a shorter period with NEC approval.
Each branch within the CLP will need to call a meeting.
*Each member (must have been a member for at least 6 months prior to the date of the CLP Exec meeting with NEC rep) will be able to discuss advantages for Open Selection for up to 30 minutes.
*A vote will be taken and decision to move forward or not will be decided by a simple majority.
Should one third of branches OR affiliated branches vote for Open Selection then the MP will be deemed to have failed their trigger ballot.
*If a branch decides not to, or fails to meet to discuss selection they are deemed to have not taken part and will not be counted as part of the one third requirement to initiate a trigger ballot.
*Therefore, if a CLP has 9 branches and only 6 branches vote, 2 branches voting in favour of Open Selection will meet the threshold to move forward with a selection process.
Sitting MPs have the advantage of incumbency and will be allowed to circulate a double sided A4 report (leaflet) to campaign for the support of their CLP members.
Individuals are prohibited from campaigning for themselves until the trigger process has been completed.
What Can You Do?
Submit the above motion for Trigger Ballot Timetable to your CLP or affiliated branch to be voted on and sent to NEC.
Email your CLP Exec (Chair and Secretary) and NEC Rep asking for update on timetable.
Network with CLP comrades to advocate for Open Selection to ensure your branch votes in favour of the trigger ballot.
Identify potential candidates and be ready to support their efforts during the selection process.
Let us know how you get on, so we can put together an overall picture. We need candidates committed to work with the Leadership team and deliver an overwhelming mandate with a solid majority at the next General Election and to work harder to implement the Leadership vision once in government.
Labour Open Selection Campaign
July 22, 2019
