Rule changes and Brexit
Day 3 at Labour Party Conference 2018
Time for a rule change?
The morning opened with Conference Arrangements Committee report being accepted followed by a lively discussion on proposed rule changes.
Max Clayton Clowes moved our rule change motion (card vote 16) brilliantly calling for gender equality across the Labour Party including leader and deputy leader positions. Wirral West, who argued for 2 deputy posts, at least one a woman, withdrew their motion causing quite an upset. Sadly, after failing to gain union support, our motion failed to gain the necessary 50% of the vote to be adopted by the party.
Other proposed rule changes included automatic disqualification of membership if allegiance to another political organisation (card vote 10).
Labour’s 6 Brexit tests
Keir Starmer opened the main debate of the morning on Brexit and the economy. He reminded conference he voted Remain as an internationalist but many across the country voted to leave. Labour had stood together and fought the Tories on a principled stand putting jobs and the economy first but also seeking to build opportunities with European partners.
He reminded conference of the six tests and included not using EU citizens as bargaining chips and a Customs Union with no hard border. He received huge support for his clear message that if the PM returns with a deal which is vague and/or against the 6 tests Labour will vote against. He called for a General Election to sweep away this Tory mess. He received huge support for his commitment to a public vote which did not rule out remain as an option.
The GMB moved the contemporary Brexit motion. They called for the people to decide at a GE — a call repeated throughout the morning. Exeter CLP seconded, pointing to the 70% of under 25s supporting remain but also pointed to the importance of not alienating those who support Brexit. It was a warning repeated by a number of speakers in the debate that followed. Exeter ended saying they believe the motion empowers but does not restrain the leadership.
The debate was lively with many speakers supporting the ‘public vote’ and the Leadership reaffirming in Emily Thornberry’s speech that Labour will never accept Chequers deal or no deal.
The motion was unanimously carried at the end of the day.
Other business
The Government contracts contemporary motion was moved by Unison who welcomed Labour’s opposition to the failed PFI experiment; the failure of privatisation of public services and a call to bring all back in to public control. The FBU moved a second Government contract motion, noting that Police and Crime Commissioners had moved to take control of fire and rescue services, most recently in North Yorkshire. They called on a halt by Labour controlled LA to privatisation and for services to be brought back in-house.
I cannot end without a tribute to Tosh McDonald (ASLEF) whose speech had conference shouting, clapping and cheering when he called for public ownership of services and utilities, collective bargaining for TU and then ending with ‘I hate the word ordinary people — none of us are ordinary — we are all extraordinary’.
The motions were all carried unanimously at the end of the day.
The conference adjourned after a speech from Rebecca Long-Bailey (Shadow Sec of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy). She outlined plans for full workers’ rights; a five point plan for saving the High Street; free bus travel for under 25s (huge support) and a re-evaluation of business rates.
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