The NEC met briefly on the morning of the previously-arranged national policy forum. The Chair Dianne Hayter gave an update on recent events and thanked the party staff for their professionalism. She and others also recognised the loyalty, integrity and restraint of party members, as well as their obvious concern. Acting general secretary Chris Lennie […]
The NEC spent the first day discussing priorities for the year ahead: winning elections, financial stability, and a party renewed through enhanced engagement with members and the public. Harriet Harman reassured us that despite coming down to earth after an incredibly successful conference, there was no need to feel demoralised: Labour was sure of its […]
Overall the mood was positive, optimistic and united. There are still debates to be had over policy and priorities but the personal rancour and the factional whispering had gone, and while there was applause for John Prescott, and for references to Tony Blair, it was solid rather than hysterical. Last year the general secretary of […]
The prime minister reviewed the summer with justified satisfaction. Despite terrorist attacks, floods, foot-and-mouth and financial turbulence Labour had turned the polls around since last year. But people voted for what parties would do in the future, and we would only keep their trust by listening. NEC members duly suggested things that he might listen […]
Continuity and change was the mood of the first full NEC for four months. Chair Mike Griffiths welcomed new members: ministers Pat McFadden, Dawn Primarolo and Angela Eagle, formerly an MPs’ representative and now replaced by Janet Anderson; chief whip Geoff Hoon; deputy leader Harriet Harman; and Gordon Brown, warmly received on all sides. Gordon […]
Gordon Brown opened the Forum, meeting at Heathrow, with an impressive speech. His priorities were better financial support for students, individual tuition for children falling behind, improving youth services, helping the economically-inactive into work, convenient access to GPs, cleanliness and personal attention in hospitals, and more housing, with a greater role for councils. Iraq was […]
Gordon Brown was warmly welcomed by the NEC, meeting in Manchester on the morning of his confirmation as leader. He spoke to each of us in turn and emphasised how much he valued both the NEC and the party membership. At his request the NEC readily approved Douglas Alexander as campaign manager through to the […]
The main business was to finalise procedures for electing a new leader and deputy, though as the principles had been fully discussed at previous meetings, all that remained was to fill in the dates. Key events are listed below, and full information is available on the party website. Now is the time to get to […]
The NEC welcomed Keith Vaz MP, elected by the vibrant new Black Socialist Society, and youth representative Stephanie Peacock, to their first meeting. The prime minister was congratulated on his Comic Relief skit and his efforts on climate change, and responded to comments on a range of issues, including nutritional standards for meals-on-wheels; the open-skies […]
John Prescott opened the meeting by warning against division and calling for vigorous but constructive debate. Tony Blair then described a typical day in his life as leader, visiting a conference of specialist sports colleges, an academy sponsored by business and the local football club, a drop-in centre for young people, and a factory building […]