1.0 Introduction
The grass roots of the Labour Party is fundamentally defined by the structure of Branches and
Constituency parties.
For too long a gap has been growing between the party membership and the leadership. Instead of
being a bottom up organisation, it has become top down. Members feel like their views are not
listened to, and are just leafleters and canvassers at election time.
Branch Labour parties (BLPs) and Constituency Labour parties (CLPs) are very often barely
functional. They suffer from a low turn out to meetings, despite the fact that since May membership
has increased. Participation is largely restricted to the same stalwarts, year in, year out.
Labour has forgotten why people join. They join for a number of reasons:
They believe that more is achieved by working together as a society than as individuals.
They believe that the individualism and greed promoted by the free-market damages society
for everybody.
They believe Labour values represent what is best for ordinary people. They want to help
promote these values through the Labour movement in our communities.
They want to fight against the values promoted by the Conservative-led coalition.They want
to keep the NHS out of private sector control, and maintain funding for the services that the
least well off in society rely on.
They want to debate the issues that affect their lives, and play a part in forming the ideas
that a Labour party would put into practice in Local and National Government. People want
Labour hear their views and represent them.
BLP and CLP meetings often run along the same old agenda. You could close your eyes, listen to
the proceedings, and find it hard to tell the difference from a meeting held one, five or ten years
ago.
Instead of engaging with the core motivations of it's members, people get bored listening to long
debates about the way affiliate organisations pay their fees for example, and extended Councillor
reports. Debate is heavily restricted and often confined to five or ten minutes at the end. Any
debate, idea or resolution never seems to make a difference to the National party
Members want to come along, be engaged and be listened to, but end up feeling unsatisfied. Is it
any wonder that many do not bother to return?
In short, the renewal of the Labour Party must begin with the reform of BLPs and CLPs.
The question is not what members can do for the leadership, but what can the leadership do for the
members.
2.0 Proposals for improving Branches
2.1 Branch members should be focused on being community activists. Each Ward will have
a number of smaller issues such as poorly maintained pavements, pot holes, dangerous
road crossings and so on. Each branch should identify a range of problems that could be
improved for the benefit of the community.
2.2 Branch members should ensure they practice good communication, all year round, with
both electors and other community groups that operate in the area. These groups would
include Church groups, Residents Associations and so on. Communication should not
just occur during election time. The advent of home computers and the easy production
of cheap and effective campaign literature means that promotional material can
generated quickly and locally.
2.3 Branch members should facilitate community action by working with local groups and
electors. This could be initiated through leaflets or petitions, for example. Local
campaigns could involve lobbying local Councillors and MPs, and using local media
channels.
2.4 Branch structures should be very flexible and focused on action, not tied to bureaucratic
agendas.
2.5 Branch members working locally should practice politics with a small 'p'. Local action
doesn't not rely on deep ideologies, but a practical hands-on approach to improve the
local area.
2.6 Branch meetings should also be the starting point for discussions on the big issues and
national politics. Resolutions regarding discussion subjects should be forwarded to the
CLP.
3.0 Proposals for improving Constituencies
3.1 Minor Constituency administrative and business matters should be dealt with by the
Officers on an ad hoc basis. This activity should only be reported to the Constituency
party periodically and briefly.
3.2 The Constituency should alternate it's meetings between:
3.2.1 Policy Reviews – These should be dedicated to one area of policy such as Health
or Law and Order, and take into account the resolutions submitted by BLPs. This would
involve policy experts leading debates, resulting in a formal document that would be
forwarded to the Labour Party policy making process.
3.2.2 Social Meetings – These should be socially orientated. They should have an
invited speaker of note, such as a Shadow Minister. The emphasis should be on
entertainment and getting to know party members who do not normally come to
meetings. They should also be opportunities for fund raising.
3.2.3 Business Meetings – These should pull together the activities from Branches,
follow progress of the Branch campaigns, and set out the direction of the next three
months.
4.0 The Outcome of the Reforms
These reforms would transform the roles members play from being on the sidelines to being
Labour's fighting front on the doorstep. The engagement of the electorate and other third sector
organisations would root the party into every community. This would deliver real improvements to
Labour's representation in both Councils and in Parliament.
Another benefit would be the increased contact with the party by the electorate. This stream of
communication would ensure that Labour never lost contact with the country again.
