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Gordon Brown has launched a consultation document on party democracy. It outlines his ideas for changes to the National Policy Forum (NPF) and our policy-making process. In two weeks time there will be a full meeting of the NPF, and as your representatives, we need to hear your views before then if possible. The full document is attached as an Acrobat pdf file. Please could you send your views either by replying to this email or by sending to . Please also pass on your views to the NEC as described in the document.
A summary of the proposals, our views and questions
We have all pushed for reforms to the NPF throughout our membership, both from our own concerns and the points you have raised with us. Many of the proposals from Gordon answer the concerns we have raised, on making the work of the NPF more clear and obvious to everyone. Here’s a summary of the proposals, our views and questions:
Increased support for local parties to hold local policy forums
As well as more help for local parties to hold policy discussions, a new Secretariat will be created to help local parties. There will be more regional policy forums organised by the party with invitations to all members.
We have been calling for these ideas for some time. We have always tried to help and encourage local parties with their forums, but we can only do so much and so we welcome any help that the national party can give.
We also need to provide more help for members without internet access.
What do you think?
Local parties to include local community in their discussions
Some local parties have successfully used forum meetings to talk to their local community and to develop policy views. However, there are pros and cons. How can we get the local community involved? Who should you invite? How can we ensure that we don’t have meetings swamped by political opponents or local lobbying groups?
What do you think?
More influence for local parties on the work of the NPF
The NPF is our way to contribute to party policy, and so we welcome proposals to increase the influence of local parties over the work of the NPF. The new proposal is that local parties will be able to submit subject areas and issues, rather than a resolution, and Conference will vote on them – the winning issues would then be debated during Conference week. Conference will then have a much more direct role in determining the work the NPF does, by setting the priority issues for the next year for the forum.
Conference would also elect 12 NPF members to ensure that this work is done. This is an important way in which party members will set commission priorities.
Technology will also be used to have regular consultations on current issues throughout the year, as issues arise.
What do you think?
A clearer transparent system, so that we can all see what the NPF is doing
This has always been a major concern for party members and members of the NPF. A lack of resources for reporting back and even acknowledging submissions has led to unnecessary suspicions. We have urged changes and the new proposals include many of the things we have asked for:
What do you think?
A vote for all members on party policy
The final year documents of the NPF are the basis for the manifesto. Currently conference delegates vote on these documents. The proposal is that this process will be replaced – and every member will have the chance to vote for or against the documents in a One Member One Vote postal vote. This will allow all party members to have their say.
What do you think?
PLEASE SEND US YOUR VIEWS ON ALL THESE POINTS, AND ALSO SEND THEM TO THE NEC THROUGH YOUR MPUrl.