Closer to the roots!

Scan page 11

your councillor, so long as it was one of those ten!

They became known as the Bermondsey Mafia, and they controlled the chairs of almost all the committees on Southwark Council. The only time they good socialists, - were ever the Tories were strong on the council, after 1969.

When I got active in my ward in 1971, there were only 3 or 4 who came to meetings and only 7 members in the ward! Meetings were held once a year!

As assistanct secretary I recruited another 30, and we got monthly ward meetings, although the existing officers tried to sabotage them. Then I became ward secretary, and the membership went up to 250, and by then the right wing had started to take notice!

Peter Tatchell became secretary, but we still had to contend with the old estab. lishment trying to fiddle things - for example, one ward managed to have four delegates to the GMC with only 12 members!

Frank Chapple came on the scene a bit too late to save Bermondsey from the "extremists' - but the EETPU establishment did their best. One of their delegates was a chemist. We asked him about this, so he sala, "Well, I turn the light on, don't 17» Why did Bob Mellish the Party?

Because if he hadn't left, he would have been chucked out, after hè supported candidates against us! What was the Palace Revolution that Mellish spoke about?

That was when the left Chapple - too late to save Mellish THE defeat at Labour's Annual Conference of those motions which had the unanimous support of the Constituency Labour • Parties, demonstrates the imbalance in the size of the CLPs vote as compared to that of the trade unions.

The basis of representation at Party Conference does not fairly reflect the political and financial contributions of the CLPs to the Party. The CLPs which have the major responsibility for recruitment and campaigning for the return of members to central and local government, contribute in total 29% of the Central Party Funds but have only 9% of the votes at conference. Affiliated organisations which contribute 71% of the funds have 91% of the votes.

Constitutional changes are necessary in order to faciitate fair representation ot the component bodies at Annual Conference; otherwise, What is the good ot winning the debates it we cannot win on the votes.

The composition of the National Executive Committee is also in need of reform. As it is presently composed, the NEC lacks sufficient grass roots involvement.

Both the CLP and the Women's Section are usually totally comprised of MPs for whom being well known nationally is a major criterrion for being nominated for election to the NEC.

There are also unnecessary restrictions about the criterion for qualifications as a bonafide nominee; i.e. that one has to be a conference delegate. The Party should consider new proposals regarding the composition of the NEC.

That would provide it with a closer link to the grass roots of those organisations affiliated to the Party.

I suggest the following proposals:

That the NEC membership be increased from ' 25 to 30 with an additional three members for the CLPs section and an additional two members for the Women's section. The new composition would thus be: Div. 1 - Trade Unions 12 members (same); Div. 2 -Socialist & Co-op. Soc: 1 member (same); Div. 3 -CLPs: 10 members (plus 3), Div. 4 Women: 7 members (plus 2).

2. By relevant amendments to Labour Party Standing Order 4, the Trade Union - Section should exclude MPs and full-time employees of the nominating trade union..

3. By relevant amendments to Labour Party: Standing Order 4, the CLP Section should include a maximum number of three MPs (i.e. 3 MPs with the highest vote would be elected). All nominees should be entitled attend Conference as nominees if they are not delegates.

4. By the process of election at Labour Women's Conference, the Women's Section should include a mäximum of two MPs.

5. Election addresses of NEC candidates should be circulated to all Party affiliates.

6. Also the Parliamentary Labour Party and through the PEP the Parliamentary Committee, when in opposition, and the Cabinet, when in government, should be made accountable to the NEC.

MICHAEL IDUN, Dulwich CLP