ReVITALise Scottish Labour
|
ReVITALise Scottish Labour
|
|
|
If you want to express a view on these issues contact revitalisescotlabour@hotmail.co.uk
The story so far...........
In 2002/3 at a number of events groups of Labour Party members in Scotland argued that our annual conference and decision making processes require some revitalisation. The view was expressed that party conferences are increasing seen as sterile rallies with little opportunity to develop policy. Attendance by CLPs in particular is poor. This is leading to disillusionment and cynicism which impacts on party membership and our ability to campaign effectively. In October 2003 a discussion paper was circulated to stimulate debate over ways we could revitalise Scottish Labour Party conference. The views expressed in response to that paper resulted in The Next Steps paper published in December 2003. This paper included model constitutional amendments to Scottish Labour Party rules. A number of CLPs, trade unions and socialist societies submitted these and other amendments to the 2004 SLP conference. A number, were rejected by the CAC and others will be considered at the 2005 Scottish Labour Party conference. In October 2004 the first Revitalise conference was held in Glasgow and identified three main areas of concern:
The Scottish Executive Committee (SEC) also responded to the issues raised by the Revitalise network by establishing a working party. Whilst it addressed some of the concerns raised - it fell considerably short of the measures needed to seriously revitalise the Scottish Labour Party. SLP conference adopted the SEC report on 6 March 2005. The amendment on the Partnership in Power process for developing the Scottish Parliament manifesto was defeated. The movers of the amendment on debating reserved issues agreed to defer consideration. A new process for dealing with coalition agreements was agreed at the 2006 conference and motions and debates took place on reserved matters. At the 2006 SLP conference Michael Meacher MP, Chair of the LabOUR Commission addressed the ReVITALise fringe meeting to explain the work of the commission and seek views from party members in Scotland. There was a general recognition that the policy process had been much more open and inclusive with better outcomes, although not faultless. After the 2007 elections this year's conference is an opportunity to review progress. In addition to the changed political environment many of the challenges identified by Revitalise remain.
nn
This web site describes in more detail the development of these concerns and the approaches taken to strengthen the Scottish Labour Party. Let's help create an: inclusive
democratic
and even inspiring party! |
|
Send mail to
revitalisescotlabour@hotmail.co.uk with
questions or comments about this web site.
|
