[LABOUR Party conference really start on Saturday 26th…]

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LABOUR Party conference really start on Saturday 26th, with the compositing meetings.

After those meetings, the Conference Arrangements Committee publishes a final agenda on the Sunday morning.

Each year, several issues get pushed out. Poland and gay rights are among those likely to suffer this year.

But this year again there are many resolutions on LABOUR DEMOCRACY. Constitutional amendments seek to outlaw 'shortlists of one' in selection of MPs (Paddington CLP, agenda, p.21) and to establish NEC control of the manifesto (Tottenham, Wallasey, and Honiton CLPS; p. 18).

Normal procedure is for conștitutional amendments to be delayed one year, so there are special motions calling for these to be debated this year. A constitutional amendment on Labour local government democracy (Hammersmith N. CLP, p.22) is bound to be delayed, as there is no such special motion for it.

Last year's conference instructed the NEC to prepare an amendment bringing back the 'three year rule' (no re-raising of any issue for three years after a conference debate) for constitutional questions. But the NEC is also suggesting a proviso for waiving this rule when enough CLPs JOHN BLOXAM gives a checklist on the issues at Brighton.

and unions submit resolutions. This should be supported.

21 CLPs have submitted resolutions or amendments on changing the Parliamentary Labour Party procedures so as to make the PLP more accountable. There are also eight (rather stronger) constitutional amendments left over from last year - but the NEC has decided to oppose them (NEC report pp.20-1). It will be important to get a debate on these.

However, the NEC, in a move that deserves support, is proposing to change the rules so that YSs and women's sections can be set up without the approval of the constituency GC (NEC report, p.15):

Disa mament and Ireland, perhaps also the police, will also be big issues. And there are also strong resolutions on the cuts.

Norwood CLP, amending resolution no.435, proposès a labour movement conference to plan a campaign of publicity, parliamentary disruption, defiance by councils, and industrial action. This should definitely be preferred to West Stirlingshire CLP's amendment (also to no. 435), which suggests Labour Councils resigning.

Confrontation

Five CLPs also come against rate rises.

The cuts debate, however, will bring us right back to the crucial issue of democracy. Last year's conference, too, passed a good resolution .on the cuts: 'Conference instructs the NEC to coordinate united fight of Labour councils and trade unions on a firm no cuts position... In such a confrontation, the Labour Movement must be prepared to use its full strength, including industrial action...

When the crunch came in Lothian, the NEC was nowhere to be seen. And in its report this year (p.62), the only activity the NEC • can mention on this resolution is two circulars to Labour councils!

The NEC should be roughly called to account -for all the left-wing resolutions in the world are no use unless we get a leadership that will carry them out. Labour Party 1980 Conference