Campaign news

The Future of the LRC

28th March 2016

The Future of the LRC

This is a useful summary of the organisational changes adopted at our recent Special General Meeting in response to the changing political situation. We will hold an Annual General Meeting later this year to finalise these changes.

Amended and agreed at NC meeting on 28th November 2015

The Labour Representation Committee needs to be streamlined in its communication methods, both face to face and online. Rather than have an executive committee which meets and then takes proposals to a National Committee we propose to combine these to form a leaner more pro-active National Executive Committee (NEC), members of which will take part in running the organisation.

Members: One officer task which requires streamlining is: membership. We will aim to provide self-registration online, with an automatic receipt being provided by a system. (Postal members will have to be managed manually – but we ask for email addresses at every opportunity.) Dependent on funds, we will aim to provide an online discussion area for members and local groups. The system will request Labour Party CLP information on entry form, as well as union membership. There will of course be exceptional circumstances for non-LP members or supporters, who don’t belong to organisations who stand against Labour.

Steering group (for the period between SGM and AGM). During the transition stage, it will be the existing National Committee. Constitution changes are required to satisfy the new structure; these are being worked on and will be sent out with the Meeting invitation.

Working Body (NEC) proposal for next AGM.
• Honorary President
• Chair & vice chairs(2)/Secretary/Treasurer/Admin/Memberships/Web (at least 4 women)
• National Unions, National Affiliates (1 place per 100 members (maximum 2 seats) – gender balance preferred if possible) Responsible for promoting LRC membership amongst their own memberships
• 8 members nominated by affiliates or other members. (aim for at least 4 women) Must be prepared to take on responsibilities for running the organisation.
• 1 each LGBT/Disabilities/BAME responsible for recruiting, representing and spreading the word.
• 2 representatives for local groups (1 north /1 south) To run a sub-committee of local groups and to increase national coverage of groups.
• All above will be elected at the following AGM
• Co-options by the NEC where and when necessary for administrative tasks
• Some decisions and meetings to be held online to save travel costs.
Affiliates
• Union branches/regions as before. CLPs & Branches as before
• Local groups: Geographically no larger than borough wide in London or no larger than county-wide outside London. Groups must be properly constituted and minuted with minimum number of attendees. Eventually each recognised group will have presence on website – with relevant communication methods. Local group constitution changes are required.
• Each recognised group & regional/branch affiliate has the right to raise motions to AGM conference.

Membership fee: New rates £14 waged; £7 unwaged or low waged, to be voted on at AGM.

Background

By Ian Hodson It’s great news that a mainstream political party has recognised the importance of taking positive action to raise pay. Since 2008, politicians from all parties along with many in the media, have pushed the narrative that society will somehow improve by imposing austerity and blaming minority groups for the state of the country’s finances. Sadly, many have fallen for this deception and the ‘look over there’ politics that has rose to prominence since the Conservatives returned to power in 2010. [continue...]

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Please see our Labour Briefing Website here: LabourBriefing.org [continue...]

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The campaign calling on the Government to abandon its plans for privatisation of Royal Mail. The Government has introduced the Postal Services Bill to part-privatise the Royal Mail. With our affiliate union CWU we are fighting to Keep the Post Public! [continue...]

The campaign to demand the Government funds improvements to all existing council housing, and to start building first class council homes to address housing need. For more information see Defend Council Housing website. [continue...]