CHANGES MADE TO POLICY MAKING
by YOUTH REP LIV BAILEY
Below is a summary of the main changes made. We would welcome your views and ideas, particularly on how we can involve more members in the process and how we can involve community groups in our discussions. Please let us know – email info@npf-se.org.uk
The main headlines were about the changes to the contemporary resolution process. The new process is also explained below. Because of the concerns of members and the unions, the new process will be reviewed in two years time, to ensure that it is working properly. Those of us on policy commissions think that this new process will be much better in guiding the work of our commissions, and give us much more authority to push for resolution of the issues (which can drag on at the moment).
Involving every party member in policy making
- All party units will have a duty to engage and consult with their members and their local community
- Support for holding local and regional policy forums
- An invitation to every member to take part in discussions
- More opportunities for members and the NPF to debate current as well as future policy
- More feedback to members, so that the work of the NPF and Commissions will be visible to members
- More chances to use online methods to debate policy
- Socialist societies and other supportive groups to help support local activity
Strengthening the policy making institutions
- More ministerial involvement with the NPF, commissions and local policy forums
- A clear public timetable for the consultation periods on documents and the meetings of various parts of the NPF
- Use new technology to make communication within the NPF easier and to make communication between NPF reps and party members easier
- The Joint Policy Commission will become an executive for the NPF, monitoring the work of the NPF and Commissions
- More constituency and affiliate reps on the JPC, to strengthen the voice of party members
- The Conference Arrangements Committee make-up to be reviewed
More involvement for the membership in the process
- There will be a new contemporary issues process at Conference – click here for more details
- The final policy programme from the NPF, at the end of the process, will be voted on with a one-member, one-vote ballot
An outward looking, engaging party
- Local parties should engage and co-operate with local community groups, NGOs and campaigns
- Local parties must maximise member involvement by inviting all members, not just delegates
- New and young members must be encouraged
- Local parties trying new methods of engagement must be supported
- Elected Labour representatives (councillors, etc) must take a lead on engaging local people
For more detail of the new Contemporary Issues process, click here