Labour CND has made a submission to the Labour Party Democracy Review.
Overview:
How party democracy helps get a Labour government elected
A Labour government will only be voted into office if the electorate is convinced that the party’s commitments – on international as well as domestic policies – are equitable, fair and in the interests of society as a whole, not simply the few elites who exercise political, economic and social power.
In the last analysis, it’s policies that win elections. We believe that the most effective way of ensuring Labour hits the spot with the electorate is by:
- electing a party leader who respects our members, and is prepared to listen to and reflect our views, recognising that half a million people provide a significant cross-section of opinion in British society as a whole;
- greater involvement of members in deciding the policies contained in Labour’s manifesto;
- ensuring CLPs and affiliates have clear and fair access to local, regional and national policy-making; and
- integrating party members into policy-making structures at all levels.
Over a number of years differences of opinion within the party have been actively discouraged in the mistaken assumption that uniformity of view equates to unity of purpose. It does not. Debate is positive, not divisive. It guarantees issues are properly aired so that sound policy decisions can be reached.
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