Campaign news

Support Katy Clark and Jon Lansman for Conference Arrangements Committee; Gary Heather for NCC

2nd March 2015

Support Katy Clark and Jon Lansman for Conference Arrangements Committee;
Gary Heather for NCC

Jon Lansman and Katy Clark are asking CLPs to nominate them for the CAC. See below for Katy’s letter to CLPs; and Jon’s. The NEC has confirmed that each CLP can make two nominations for the CAC. The CAC election is by one-member-one-vote. The nomination deadline is 10 June, and we understand CAC ballot papers will go to all members early in July (closing date of ballot 29 July). Gary Heather has written to all CLP secretaries, asking CLPs to nominate him for the National Constitutional Committee (NCC). The NCC election is by conference delegates.

Katy Clark MP
45 New Street
Stevenston Ayrshire Scotland
KA20 3HD
Mobile 07914 311929 Email: katy.clark1@btinternet.com Twitter: @KatyClarkMP

Dear Secretary
I am writing to ask for your support to stand for the Conference Arrangements Committee and to ask that your Constituency provide me with a supporting nomination. The closing date for nominations is only shortly after the general election – on Wednesday 10th June – which is why I am writing now. The election is by one-member-one-vote and I understand the ballot papers will go to all members early in July (closing date of ballot 29 July). CLPs can make two nominations for the two places.
I am standing because members need a far stronger voice in our Party. Too many CLPs no longer attend Conference because they don’t see the point. Yes Conference should be a showcase for our Party and a chance to sell ourselves. But it has to be more than a PR event. There must be more opportunity for debate and members must feel that they can influence policy. CLPs, unions and the affiliated societies should be far more involved in our decision making and Conference must be a place where that happens. One of my aims would be to try and ensure that more ordinary members get to contribute in the main debates.
I was elected as the Labour MP for North Ayrshire and Arran in 2005 and am a member of the Scottish Constituency of Cunningham North CLP. We need to make sure that all parts of the country are represented in our democratic structures.
Before becoming an MP I worked for UNISON so have an understanding of union issues. I am still a member of UNISON as well as the GMB and CWU. I am also a member of the Cooperative Party. I hope you will consider nominating me.
With very best wishes,
Katy Clark
Katy Clark MP
North Ayrshire and Arran Membership number A533963

Jon Lansman
3, Gibraltar Walk
Bethnal Green
London E2 7LH
Phone: 07710 541410 E-Mail: jonlansman@me.com Twitter:
@jonlansman Web: leftfutures.org
Dear CLP Secretary:
Conference Arrangements Committee election 2105
I am writing to your constituency party to ask whether you would consider nominating me for the position of a constituency party representative on the Labour Party Conference Arrangements Committee. The closing date for nominations is Wednesday 10 June. Every CLP can make 2 nominations and the election is by one-member-one-vote – I am informed that the ballot papers will go to all members early in July (ballot closing date: 29 July).
I joined the Labour Party when I was 16 and first campaigned in the general election of October 1974. In four decades of activity, I’ve been a CLP secretary and chair, councillor, agent, regional board member, grassroots activist and campaigner but I have the same old Labour values I had as a Labour Party Young Socialist.
It’s the members that have kept our party going in good times and bad, even through times when we have felt disappointed and let down, and too many of our core voters have turned away from politics and politicians. And what kept us going were our socialist principles and the belief that only the Labour Party could deliver the socialist policies our communities and our economy desperately need.
Our members and constituency parties deserve a proper say in the party’s policies and how it’s run. Ed Miliband has done much to rebuild an active and involved party but we must restore our annual conference, the party’s sovereign body, to its proper role as the place where trade union and constituency party delegates come together for open comradely debate, to give the party direction and decide policy. That is the way to build unity.
If I am given the privilege of being elected to the CAC, I will fight as I always have for the rights of constituency parties to be heard, for an effective democratic policy-making conference where delegates are participators not spectators. I would report back through the website leftfutures.org (which I edit) and always be available to assist and advise members and to speak to CLPs.
In comradeship,
Jon Lansman
(Bethnal Green & Bow CLP, Membership No A018501)

Gary Heather
59 Mayton Street
London
N7 6QP
Mobile: 07918 170 901
Email: gary@garyheather.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/garyfj.heather
Twitter: http://twitter.com/garyheatherFJ
Islington North CLP
Membership No A006966

Dear Member,
National Constitutional Committee (NCC) elections 2015
I would very much appreciate nomination by your CLP for election to the National Constitutional Committee (NCC). The deadline for nominations to the Labour Party is 10 June, and the election will take place in September at Party annual conference.

A Party member for 25 years, I was chair of my CLP for six years. I have experience as a council and parliamentary candidate. As a trade unionist, I served on the CWU NEC and I am President of Islington TUC. I am also a Fabian and a Co-operative Party member.

I have always taken a strong interest in the rules of the Party, and believe that people receiving justice in society – including in the Labour Party – is a fundamental human right. I have vast experience of dealing with disciplinary matters in my union where I served on the National Discipline Committee and also in assisting members at Employment Tribunals.

I believe in fairness for all, and that includes in the Labour Party. This means that the Party rules must be applied fairly to all, while always looking to resolve disputes and conflict so as to maximise unity and effectiveness within the Party.

Labour has to advocate an alternative to Coalition Government austerity and cuts. I want to end child poverty, improve health and education, end tax avoidance, promote peace and international development, return utilities and the railways to public ownership, build more affordable council and social housing, create employment and improve workers’ rights, and invest in sustainable energy and green jobs.
Thanks for reading this letter and please give serious consideration to nominating me for the NCC.

Yours in comradeship,
Gary Heather