NB a pdf version of this report is available here.
The next full meeting of the NEC is on Tuesday 26 March 2024. Before then, here is a report on recent subcommittees – as always, please mail annblack50@btinternet.com with any questions or comments.
Equalities committee, 7 March 2024
Anneliese Dodds, shadow secretary for women and equalities, gave an update covering International Women’s Day, the launch of Labour’s planned Race Equality Act, the new deal for working people and the budget, which did little for most women. Three years after Sarah Everard’s murder there was still much to do, and Labour was committed to national vetting of police officers and implementing the other recommendations in Elish Angiolini’s report. On childcare, providers simply could not deliver enough places with the money allocated, and only Labour had realistic plans. She shared frustration that the Tories had blocked Lloyd Russell Moyle’s bill on banning conversion therapy, and she was working with Liz Kendall and Vicky Foxcroft on access to work for disabled people. She agreed that laws against disability hate crime should be enforced as rigorously as other categories of hate crime.
Members urged shadow ministers to engage with disabled people and to avoid echoing Tory rhetoric. Phrases such as “languishing on benefits” reinforced separation into the deserving and the undeserving poor, and was deeply harmful. Anneliese agreed that language was important and positive measures were needed to support people into work, including prompt NHS treatment, healthier living conditions and reasonable adjustments in the workplace. I suggested inviting Liz Kendall to a future meeting.
Stakeholder Reports
The Labour Muslim Network were continuing to provide training on Islamophobia, and had produced a useful guide on Ramadan for local parties – a copy is here. They were thanked for working to maintain support for Labour in difficult times. The Labour Women’s Network reported on the sixth cohort of the Jo Cox women in leadership programme, and stressed the need for safety and civility in public life. They were disappointed that only 25% of council leaders were women, down from 30%, and that both Welsh leadership candidates and a majority of police and crime commissioner candidates were male. Members were assured that the NEC panels who chose candidates for non-battleground Westminster seats had taken diversity in all its forms into account.
In addition Keir Starmer had met the LGBT+ executive, a code of conduct on disability was nearing completion, and a Faith in Labour team were building links between communities and shadow ministers. The latest Bernie Grant leadership course had concluded, with more Black members standing as candidates and engaging in their local parties, and the first training session on anti-Black racism had been held. The committee asked again for a date for the BAME Labour AGM, promised in January, though the next national BAME conference, like some regional conferences, would be deferred until after the election. With the election approaching all supporters have a role in endorsing Labour’s message, whether as high-profile names, former Tories who had seen the light, or ordinary people with stories about their daily lives.
Women’s Conference
Since this meeting I’ve been asked about criteria for valid motions to the women’s conference. These have changed to restrict motions to topics which arise after the NEC and NPF reports have been published, in line with the rule change agreed in 2023 for annual conference motions. However the deadline for women’s conference motions is 21 August 2024, while the annual conference deadline is 12 September 2024. As the cutoff point for topics to count as contemporary has traditionally been taken as 1 August, women’s branches and forums would have to meet in mid- August, while CLPs get an extra three weeks for annual conference motions. Neither the national women’s committee nor the women’s conference arrangements committee is scheduled to meet until June. I will try to clarify the situation before then, because it does seem to create extra obstacles for women.
Complaints and Disciplinary Sub-Committee, 12 March 2024
After a surge in the last quarter of 2023 the number of complaints had subsided to previous levels. As in previous reports about 13% were considered valid and assigned for investigation. Developments in case handling software should make it possible to improve communications with relevant parties. I asked if future reports could show the mean time between a complaint being lodged and its conclusion. Feedback from complainants and respondents was being considered in a review of the procedures for dealing with sexual harassment, and any changes would come to the NEC in due course.
Reports on disciplinary outcomes are published at the foot of the page https://labour.org.uk/resources/complaints/ and the March 2024 report should be uploaded soon. Appeals against rejection of applications for membership were awaiting regional panels. In the most recent period allegations of bullying and harassment exceeded those of antisemitism for the first time since receiving these reports. Disciplinary panels had heard 50 cases against members, of whom half were expelled, suspended or referred to the NCC (national constitutional committee) or the ICB (independent complaints board), 26% received a formal warning or a reminder of conduct, and 24% a reminder of values or no further action. For exclusion panels 90% of allegations were upheld, with most expelled, one suspended and one immediately readmitted. All 24 appeals to the NCC failed, with another 60 to be decided.
Of 110 members currently suspended, 31 had been suspended for more than 18 months. These included 10 who had failed to complete mandatory training and whose suspension may be considered as self-imposed. While every delay is stressful for the members concerned, and I continue to follow up individual cases, the team are making steady progress. They hope to reduce maximum waits to 12 months and then to six months, except where there are police investigations or other factors beyond our control. NEC members again raised particular concerns around for members holding or seeking elected office, where delays affect their career and their reputation, as well as that of the party.
Organisation Committee, 12 March 2024
The committee congratulated everyone involved in the Kingswood and Wellingborough by-election successes. Following a full investigation into alleged irregularities the Croydon East selections had now resumed. A list of parliamentary candidates was noted, including 81 in the 211 “non-battleground” seats, where more names are emerging every day.
I apologise to CLPs who are still waiting, and to those who have had no choice for the third successive election. In 2010, when I chaired the NEC, only one candidate was imposed in the entire country. This time boundary changes contributed to initial delays, but from July I believe we should have moved faster and allowed regional executive members to oversee selections, as in past cycles. Requiring a staff presence at every hustings, on top of critical by-elections, imposed huge demands on limited resources. By 26 January, when NEC / REC panels signed off shortlists based on recommendations from regional directors, it was clear that most would consist of a single candidate. I regretted this, but time was running out. Rochdale issues then highlighted the need for more stringent due diligence checks which pushed decisions back further.
Throughout this time I asked repeatedly for CLPs and NEC members to be kept updated. Non-battleground seats heard nothing about the first tranche of 94 seats in July, the pause, the second invitation to all 211 in December, the likely timetable, and later changes. Members understand the reasons for delays if these are explained, but they must be kept in the picture. At the latest role-holders’ briefing the general secretary David Evans said that all members were equally valued wherever they lived, and he aimed to inspire, inform and encourage. He told the organisation committee that sensitive information about targets and times could not be released, but our enemies have no trouble finding it. With wildly fanciful polls suggesting that Labour could win up to 537 seats, trust is essential in persuading members to focus on must-win targets rather than hoping for their own Portillo moments. Communication is free and it is fundamental.
Updates Various
Turning to the local elections in May, most regions now have candidates in place for most or all of their target councils. Diversity data should follow for these, and for police and crime commissioner candidates. More on local procedures is at the end for those interested in detail.
The committee also received reports on campaign improvement boards. The panels which make decisions act with delegated authority from the NEC, and though many of us were aware of local concerns about selections, only those directly involved can see the whole situation.
On CLPs in special measures, little progress is expected before the election because full membership audits are time-consuming and disruptive. The term “special measures” only means that people have to provide additional documentation when applying to join the party, and such CLPs can meet normally. Some CLPs in special measures are also suspended, but the committee were assured that all these seats have organisers in place so that members can participate in campaigning activities.
The web page on the Forde report https://labour.org.uk/resources/the-forde-report/ had been updated to reflect all the positive work done by the NEC on improving party culture and tackling racism and discrimination in all their forms.
Finally the Labour Campaign for Electoral Reform applied in March 2023 to affiliate as a socialist society and, at my request, the committee were promised that this would be picked up soon.
Appendix: When is a Rule not a Rule?
Following up questions from members in several different areas I asked how local government applicants lost the right to an appeal hearing against rejection. The answer is that local selection procedures are in an appendix to the rules. Appendices can be altered at any time without the need for endorsement by the NEC or by conference.
In this instance Appendix 4 E.ii is the relevant clause. In the 2020 rulebook it simply says that the regional executive committee (REC) shall, where practicable, hear the appeal within 14 days. This is also the wording in the online copy of the 2022 rulebook, but the hardcopy 2022 rulebook adds
“Any such appeal must include specific evidence detailing why the individual concerned believes the Assessment team’s recommendation and/or LGCs decision to refuse endorsement to be flawed.”
and in the 2023 rulebook this has changed again to read
“Any such appeal must include specific evidence detailing how the individual concerned considers that either the assessment team and/or the LGC have acted irrationally in making the applicable recommendation and/or endorsement decision. Appeals that do not satisfactorily demonstrate such evidence may be refused by the Regional Executive Committee.”
This wording is flawed because a panel may make a rational decision for that applicant on that day, but the applicant may perform better at reinterview after feedback. Within the last year I have been on regional panels which granted such appeals. On the principle, I understand the desire to save time and avoid relitigating the same arguments. However any process must be seen as fair and transparent by applicants and by local government committees, especially where regional panels conduct both initial interviews and appeals, and significant changes should be made known to the NEC, to LGCs and to CLPs. In some cases I might have given different advice had I realised that requests for appeals could be rejected on the basis of paperwork alone. Next year I promise to read every appendix line by line.
And Finally …
Most local parties will have paused meetings until after the May elections. When you resume, please consider nominating me for one of the nine CLP places on the NEC – my statement is here, my membership number is A353890 and the deadline is 28 June 2024. Chairs and secretaries can submit through the Party Democracy Portal.