A correspondent from the Labour marginal of Wallasey has sent me notes of the last Labour Party National Executive meeting. And a very entertaining read it is too. It clearly shows that the funding crisis in the Labour Party is beginning to bite. On 23 May the Party's National Executive ratified plans to lost 46 members of staff by the end of June through voluntary severance. Lapsed members are being telephoned to ask them to renew their membership. Labour has only 198,000 members. Angela Eagle MP emailed 50 lapsed members asking them to rejoin. She received 5 responses, all negative.At the same NEC meeting John Prescott spoke on the PM's instructions to Hazel Blears to reorganise the Party by the end of June. Prescott apparently was vociferous in arguing that the Prime Minister could legitimately set goals for Ministers but party organisation was the responsibility of the NEC. Ouch. It's become very clear why the Ultras in Number Ten have launched a briefing campaign against Prescott.
Later in the meeting Party funding was discussed. it was proposed that State funding would be acceptable if the governing Party received the same "Short Money" as the Opposition and also for education and training! Quite astonishing.
The NEC decided to start selecting General Election candidates in 35 seats, with 9 of the most winnable 17 seats using all-women shortlists.
UPDATE: I should make clear that I was sent this from a reader, but then through Google found it was all posted on the website of Ann Black, an NEC Member. Openness is all well and good, but I suspect she might be regret being quite so open...
8 comments:
Who's this traitor that is giving you inside information?
I'll be back!
Gary
"She received 5 responses, all negative." That'll be in addition to the "Fuck offs" then?
You don't need to have secret sources to read what happens in NEC meetings. Just read Ann Black's very good reports:
http://www.annblack.com/nec_directory.htm
Other reports could be found in the Campaign Group magazines. here's the last one:
http://www.poptel.org.uk/scgn/articles/0606/p12b.htm
and since when has Wallasey became a marginal? after boundary changes? certainly not before.
I'm back!!
Yes, I agree with Andrea. Iain's writing confirms it is the work of AB. I apologise for suggesting treachery.
I've noted though that you have limited information from the meeting.
The two Tory defectors were well represented at that NEC meeting and it's still on.
Gary
Nobody mention the Lib Dem "rationalisation" that will have to take place if they have to repay the £2.4 million...
Someone got a link to the minutes?
"Openness is all well and good, but I suspect she might be regret being quite so open..."
She has always been. Her reports are always excellent and I hope she'll be re-elected next month.
Christine Showcroft published her NEC reports in the Labour Left Briefing too.
Wallasey, marginal? With a 9000+ majority?
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