Labour Party Rule Book 2010

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The Labour PartyRule Book 2010


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Contents

SECTION A.....................................................................................................................................5SUMMARY OF NEC RULE AMENDMENTS ..................................................................................5SECTION B.....................................................................................................................................7THE NATIONAL RULES OF THE LABOUR PARTY......................................................................7Chapter 1 Constitutional rules .....................................................................................................................................8

Clause I. Name and objects 8Clause II. Party structure and affiliated organisations 8Clause III. The partys financial scheme 9Clause IV. Aims and values 9Clause V. Party programme 10Clause VI. Labour Party Conference 10Clause VII. Party officers and statutory officers 10Clause VIII. The National Executive Committee 11Clause IX. The National Constitutional Committee 13Clause X. Scope of rules 13

Chapter 2 Membership rules...................................................................................................................................... 15A. Conditions of membership 15B. Membership procedures 16C. Membership subscriptions 16

Chapter 3 Party Conference ...................................................................................................................................... 18A. Delegations 18B. Conference Arrangements Committee 19C. Procedural rules for Party Conference 19

Chapter 4 Elections of national officers of the party and national committees ............................................21A. General principles 21B. Procedural rules for elections for national officers of the party 21C. Procedural rules for elections for national committees 23

Chapter 5 Selections for elected public office....................................................................................................... 26A. General rules for selections for public office 26B. Selection of local government candidates 26C. Selection of Westminster parliamentary candidates 27D.

Selection of European parliamentary candidates 28

E. Selection of candidates for devolved institutions 29

Chapter 6 Disciplinary rules ....................................................................................................................................... 30A. National action by the party 30B. Action by CLPs 30

SECTION C ..................................................................................................................................33RULES FOR UNITS OF PARTY ORGANISATION...................................................................... 33Chapter 7 Rules for CLPs ............................................................................................................................................ 34

Clause I. Name 34Clause II. Aims and values 34Clause III. Affiliated organisations 34Clause IV. Affiliation fees 34Clause V. Individual membership 34Clause VI. Method of organisation 35


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Clause VII. Management 35Clause VIII. Conditions for appointment of delegates to this CLP 36Clause IX. Officers 37Clause X. Meetings of the General Committee/All Member Meeting 37Clause XI. The Party Conference 38Clause XII. Duties of the General Committee/All Member Meeting 38Clause XIII. Disciplinary 38Clause XIV. Parliamentary candidates 39Clause XV. Local government candidates 39Clause XVI. Amendment to rules 39

Chapter 7a Amendments to CLP rules where constituency and district/ county borough boundaries arecoterminous .................................................................................................................................................................. 40

Clause I Aims and values 40Clause VII Management 40Clause IX Officers 40Clause XII Duties of the General Committee/All Member Meeting 40

Chapter 8 Rules for branches.................................................................................................................................... 41Clause I. Name 41Clause II. Objects 41Clause III. Membership 41Clause IV.

Officers and Executive Committee 41

Clause V. Meetings 41Clause VI. Local government candidates 41Clause VII. Miscellaneous 41

Chapter 9 Rules for Regional Boards and European party units .......................................................................43Chapter 10 Rules for womens forums .................................................................................................................... 44

Clause I. Name 44Clause II. Aims and values 44Clause III. Membership 44Clause IV. Management 44Clause V. Meetings 44Clause VI. Activities 44Clause VII. Finances 45Clause VIII. General 45Clause IX. Alteration to rules 45

Chapter 11 Rules for Young Labour ......................................................................................................................... 46Clause I. Name 46Clause II. Aims and values 46Clause III. Membership 46Clause IV. Structure 46Clause V. Regional Committees 46

Chapter 11A Young Labour groups ......................................................................................................................... 47Clause I. Name 47Clause II. Aims and values 47Clause III. Membership 47Clause IV. Establishing a group 47Clause V. Geographical boundaries 47Clause VI. Meetings 47Clause VII. Officers 47Clause VIII. Finance 47Clause IX. Relationship with constituency parties 48Clause X. General relations 48Clause XI. Dissolution 48

Chapter 11B Young Labour National Committee ................................................................................................. 49Clause I. Aims and values 49Clause II. Membership 49Clause III. Chair 49Clause IV. Executive 49Clause V.

National Policy Forum Representatives 49

Clause VI. Meetings 49Clause VII. Finance 49Clause VIII. Conference 49


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Chapter 12 Rules for Labour Party local government committees ................................................................... 50Clause I. Name 50Clause II. Objects 50Clause III. Management 50Clause IV. Officers and Executive Committee 51Clause V. Meetings 51Clause VI. Finance 51Clause VII. General 51Clause VIII. Candidates 51Clause IX. Relations with the Labour group 51Clause X. Miscellaneous 51

Chapter 13 Rules for local government Labour groups on principal authorities ...........................................53Clause I. General rules and provisions for Labour groups on local authorities 53Clause II. Aims and Values 53Clause III. Membership of the group 54Clause IV. Group meetings 55Clause V. Group officers 55Clause VI. Group executive 55Clause VII. Casual vacancies 55Clause VIII. Determination of group policy and action 55Clause IX. Selection of nominations for civic offices, council leadership and other council appointments 56Clause X. Arrangements with other parties 56Clause XI. Action by individual members 56Clause XII. Groups on committees 56Clause XIII. Breach of rule 56Clause XIV. Reporting to and consulting with the party 57Clause XV. Group standing orders 57Clause XVI. Compliance with PPERA 57Clause XVII. Miscellaneous 57

Chapter 14 Rules for Ethnic Minorities Forums..................................................................................................... 59Clause I. Name 59Clause II. Aims and values 59Clause III. Membership 59Clause IV. Management 59Clause V. Meetings 59Clause VI. Activities 59Clause VII. Finances 60Clause VIII. General 60Clause IX. Alteration to rules 60

SECTION D.................................................................................................................................. 61PROCEDURAL RULES................................................................................................................ 61Chapter 15 Model procedural rules .......................................................................................................................... 62

A. Model Standing Orders for Party Units 62B. Annual General Meetings 62C.

Ordinary meetings 62

D. Meeting times 62E. Quorum 62F. Entitlement to attend 62G. Chair 62H. Party business 63I. Notice of motion 63

J. Discussion of motion 63K. Procedural motions 63L. Motion to rescind resolution 63M. Voting on motions 63N. Ballot votes 63O. Chairs ruling 64P. Miscellaneous 64

SECTION E ..................................................................................................................................65


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CONTACTS AND GLOSSARY..................................................................................................... 65Chapter 16 Party contacts and glossary................................................................................................................. 66SECTION F ..................................................................................................................................69APPENDICES.............................................................................................................................. 69Chapter 17 Appendix I NEC statement on the importance of our members ..................................................70Chapter 18 Appendix II NEC procedural guidelines on membership recruitment and retention ...............71

A. General 71B. Enrolment procedures 71C. Move of residence 72D. Method of Payment 72E. Membership year 72F. Arrears and lapsed members 72G. Procedural code for CLPs 73H. Follow-up procedures by CLPs 73I. Access to membership lists 73

Chapter 19 Appendix III NEC procedural rules on selection of Parliamentary Candidates .........................74A. Introduction 74B. General 74C. Freeze dates 75D. National panel 75E. Trigger ballots for MPs through nominations by party units and affiliates 76F. Candidates 77G. Delegates 78H. Membership 78I. Statement of candidates qualities 78

J. Constituency Timetable open selections 78K. Nominations 80L. Shortlisting 80M. Members ballot 81N. Postal vote 82O. Voting procedure and count 82P. Financial agreement and endorsement 82Q. NEC Timescale for selections 83R. Parliamentary Selections - Candidates code of conduct 83

Chapter 20 Appendix IV NEC Procedural Rules for the selection of local government Candidates forelections in 2008 ......................................................................................................................................................... 85

A. Selection timetable 85B. Positive action procedures 85C. Panel of approved candidates 86D. Qualification of nominees 86E. Endorsement of applicants to the panel of approved candidates 86F. Authority to vary assessment procedures 87G. Withdrawal of endorsement from a member of the approved panel 87H. Rights and responsibilities of members of the approved panel of candidates 87I. Shortlisting and selection 87

Chapter 21 Appendix V NEC Advice Note Interviewing sitting councillors or recent candidates ...........91Chapter 22 Appendix VI Procedural guidelines in disciplinary cases brought before the NCC..................93

A. Timetable for dealing with cases 93B. Other matters 96


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Section A

Summary of NEC rule

amendments


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The following NEC rule amendments were passed at the 2009 Annual Conference and are implemented from 1 January2010.

Chapter 4 - Elections of national officers of the party and national committees

Clause Title Rule change Explanation

Clause B.5.B Election ofTreasurer

delete The treasurer shall beelected by means of a ballot on acard vote basis as provided inthese rules.

Insert at the end of the clause Theaffiliates portion of the votes shallbe cast by a ballot of affiliatedorganisations on the sametimetable as the CLP membersballot.

Brings the rules for theelection of the Treasurer inline with current practice

Clause B.6.A Election ofAuditors

Delete The CLPs proportion of thevotes cast shall be decided by aballot among all eligible individualmembers of the party by means ofa national one member one votepostal ballot conducted toguidelines laid down by the NEC.

Brings the rules for theelection in line with currentpractice for functional officers

ClauseC.1.D.I.a

Election ofNational PolicyForum

Amend this following clause asfollows

Division I shall consist of 55members to be nominated and

elected by CLPs, and elected by aballot conducted among all eligibleindividual members of the Party bymeans of a regionally based one-member-one-vote postal ballotconducted to guidelines laid downby the NEC.

Allows for the CLP section ofthe NPF previously elected bydelegates at conference to beelected by a postal ballot ofall members.


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Section B

The national rules of

the Labour Party


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Chapter 1Constitutional rules Page 8 of 98

Chapter 1Constitutional rules

Clause I.Name and objects

1. This organisation shall be known as The LabourParty (hereinafter referred to as the party). Itspurpose is to organise and maintain in Parliamentand in the country a political Labour Party.

2. The party shall give effect, as far as may bepracticable, to the principles from time to timeapproved by party conference.

Clause II.Party structure and affiliated organisations

1. There shall be a National Executive Committee ofthe party (the NEC) which shall, subject to thecontrol and directions of party conference, be theadministrative authority of the party.

2. The party shall be organised on the followingbasis:

A. Where the NEC so determines there shall beestablished in any Westminster parliamentaryconstituency a unit of the party, to be knownas a constituency labour party or CLP

B. Within each CLP, members shall be organisedin branches, the number and area covered bysuch branches to be agreed by the CLP andthe NEC

C. A womens forum may be established in eachCLP, consisting of all individual womenmembers within that CLP. An ethnic minoritiesforum may be established consisting of allindividual Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic (BAME)individual members within that CLP.

D. In Scotland, Wales and each of the Englishregions there shall be established: a ScottishLabour, Wales Labour or regional party office;a Scottish executive, Welsh executive orregional board; and a European constituencylabour party. There may also be established aScottish, Welsh or regional womenscommittee and a regional BAME memberssection.

E. Subject to the approval of the appropriate NECrepresentative, local government committeesmay be established within areas of directlyelected local government above that ofparish/community council

F. Members on local authorities shall beorganised locally in Labour groups andnationally in the Association of LabourCouncillors

G. All individual members of the party agedbetween 15 and 26 years inclusive shall bemembers of Young Labour and may establish

local Young Labour groups throughoutEngland, Scotland and Wales

H. Student members of the party shall beorganised nationally as Labour Students

I. A National Trade Union and Labour PartyLiaison Organisation shall be established toinvolve affiliated unions in party organisation,

which shall include a National Trade Union andLabour Party Liaison Committee and RegionalLiaison Committees in Scotland, Wales andeach of the English regions

J. Labour Party Properties Limited and LabourParty Nominees Limited shall be maintainedas companies holding party assets, eitheroutright or on trust for the benefit of theparty.

3. Organisations may, subject to the decision of theNEC, which shall be final and binding, affiliate tothe party if they fall within the followingcategories:

A.

trade unions affiliated to the Trades UnionCongress or are considered by the NEC to bebona fide trade unions

B. co-operative societiesC. socialist societiesD. other organisations which, in the opinion of

the NEC, have interests consistent with thoseof the Labour Party.

4. Each affiliated organisation must:A. accept the programme, policy and principles of

the party

B. agree to conform to the constitution andstanding orders of the party

C. submit its political rules to the NEC.5. Other

A. Political organisations not affiliated orassociated under a national agreement withthe party, having their own programme,principles and policy for distinctive andseparate propaganda, or possessing branchesin the constituencies, or engaged in thepromotion of parliamentary or localgovernment candidates, or having allegianceto any political organisation situated abroad,shall be ineligible for affiliation to the party.

B. The panel of the NEC responsible forassessing applications from socialist societiesto affiliate to the party shall have regard toprocedural guidelines determined by the NEC,which are available from the Compliance Unit.

6. Affiliations FeesA. Trade Unions

i. Each affiliated trade union shall pay anaffiliation fee per member of 3.00.

ii. After consultation with affiliatedorganisations, the NEC will determineaffiliation fees as and when necessaryfor Annual Conference to approve.

iii. Of that affiliation fee, a proportion shallbe allocated to the partys national


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election fund as provided by clauseVIII.3(k) of these rules.

iv. Affiliation fees shall be payable on aquarterly basis on the first days of

January, April, July and October each yearand must have been paid in full not laterthan 31 December of the relevant year.

B.

Socialist Societiesi. Each affiliated socialist society or other

organisation shall pay an affiliation feeper member of 1.25.

ii. Of that affiliation fee, 10p shall beallocated to the partys national electionfund as provided by clause VIII.3(k) ofthese rules.

iii. All affiliation fees shall be paid not laterthan 31 December of the relevant year.

C. Affiliation fees and the allocation thereof maybe varied by party conference and sub-clauses6.A.i to 6.B.iii above modified accordingly.

7. Membership fees and insuranceA. Membership fees for each individual member

shall be collected by, or on behalf of, thepartys head office and shall be dividedbetween head office, the relevant regionaloffice, or Scottish/ Welsh office as the casemay be, and the relevant CLP, as laid down inthe membership rules.

B. The NEC shall arrange on behalf of all CLPs aninsurance scheme to cover a by-electionpremium, public liability, and such other legalrisks as the NEC considers appropriate. Theestimated cost of such insurance for the

following year shall be advised to the annualsession of party conference and each CLPshall be notified of its share of the cost whichmust be paid by 15 April of the following year;wherever possible this shall be deducted froma CLPs share of membership subscriptionsduring the first quarter of each year.

Clause III.The partys financial scheme

1. The party shall maintain a financial schemeapproved by the Electoral Commission and shallconsist of a central organisation with accountingunits

2. The following may, subject to the approval of theNEC, be registered as accounting units under thepartys financial scheme:

A. CLPsB. the Scottish Labour PartyC. Wales LabourD. Labour StudentsE. the Association of Labour Councillors (ALC)F. the Trade Union and Labour Party Liaison

Committee and the National and RegionalTrade Union Liaison Committees

G.

the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP)H. local government committees (LGCs)

I. such other party units as shall from time totime be agreed by the NEC to be eligible forregistration.

3. All accounting units will comply with their legalobligations to provide the national party with allrelevant information as requested. Failure tosupply such information may lead to the NECtaking disciplinary action against individual

members, the suspension of the appropriate partyunit or both

Clause IV.Aims and values

1. The Labour Party is a democratic socialist party. Itbelieves that by the strength of our commonendeavour we achieve more than we achievealone, so as to create for each of us the means torealise our true potential and for all of us acommunity in which power, wealth andopportunity are in the hands of the many not thefew; where the rights we enjoy reflect the duties

we owe and where we live together freely, in aspirit of solidarity, tolerance and respect.

2. To these ends we work for:A. A DYNAMIC ECONOMY, serving the public

interest, in which the enterprise of the marketand the rigour of competition are joined withthe forces of partnership and co-operation toproduce the wealth the nation needs and theopportunity for all to work and prosper with athriving private sector and high-quality publicservices where those undertakings essentialto the common good are either owned by thepublic or accountable to them

B.

A JUST SOCIETY, which judges its strength bythe condition of the weak as much as thestrong, provides security against fear, and

justice at work; which nurtures families,promotes equality of opportunity, and deliverspeople from the tyranny of poverty, prejudiceand the abuse of power

C. AN OPEN DEMOCRACY, in which governmentis held to account by the people, decisions aretaken as far as practicable by the communitiesthey affect and where fundamental humanrights are guaranteed

D. A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT, which we protect,enhance and hold in trust for futuregenerations.

3. Labour is committed to the defence and securityof the British people and to co-operating inEuropean institutions, the United Nations, theCommonwealth and other international bodies tosecure peace, freedom, democracy, economicsecurity and environmental protection for all.

4. Labour shall work in pursuit of these aims withtrade unions and co-operative societies and alsowith voluntary organisations, consumer groupsand other representative bodies.

5. On the basis of these principles, Labour seeks thetrust of the people to govern.


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Clause V.Party programme

1. At all levels the party will ensure that members,elected representatives, affiliated organisationsand, where practicable, the wider community areable to participate in the process of policyconsideration and formulation.

2. Party Conference shall decide from time to timewhat specific proposals of legislative, financial oradministrative reform shall be included in theparty programme. This shall be based on therolling programme of work of the National PolicyForum and shall be subject to approval by anOMOV ballot of the eligible membership once ineach Parliament. No proposal shall be included inthe final party programme unless it has beenadopted by the conference by a majority of notless than two-thirds of the votes recorded on acard vote.

3. When in Government the NEC, the sevenbackbench members of the Parliamentary

Committee of the Parliamentary Labour Party(PLP) plus the Chair of the PLP, the Cabinet, theChair and three vice Chairs of the NPF, two CLPmembers of the NPF to be elected by CLPdelegates to the NPF, and eight Trade Unionmembers of the TULO Contact Group, shall decidewhich items from the party programme shall beincluded in the manifesto which shall be issued bythe NEC prior to every general election. The jointmeeting shall also define the attitude of the partyto the principal issues raised by the electionwhich are not covered by the manifesto.

When not in Government the NEC, theParliamentary Committee of the ParliamentaryLabour Party (PLP) and the Chair and three viceChairs of the NPF shall decide which items fromthe party programme shall be included in themanifesto which shall be issued by the NEC priorto every general election. The joint meeting shallalso define the attitude of the party to theprincipal issues raised by the election which arenot covered by the manifesto.

4. The NEC shall decide which items from theprogramme shall be included in the electionmanifesto for the European Parliament afterconsultation with the European Parliamentary

Labour Party (EPLP) and with sister parties in theParty of European Socialists.

Clause VI.Labour Party Conference

1. The work of the party shall be under the directionand control of party conference, which shall itselfbe subject to the constitution and standing ordersof the party. Party conference shall meetregularly once in every year and also at suchother times as it may be convened by the NEC.

2. The rules for the convening and operation ofparty conference are contained in chapter 3 of

these rules which may be amended by decision ofthe NEC, subject to ratification by partyconference. Party conference and specialsessions of party conference in these rules are

referred to as party conference and these rules(except where the context otherwise requires)shall apply thereto.

Clause VII.Party officers and statutory officers

1. Party officersA. Leader and deputy leader

i. There shall be a leader and deputy leaderof the party who shall, ex-officio, beleader and deputy leader of the PLP.

ii. The leader and deputy leader of theparty shall be elected or re-elected fromamong Commons members of the PLP inaccordance with procedural rule Chapter4 B.2 below, at a party conferenceconvened in accordance with clause VI ofthese rules. In respect to the election ofthe leader and deputy leader, thestanding orders of the PLP shall alwaysautomatically be brought into line with

these rules.

B. Chair and vice-chairi. There shall be a chair and vice-chair of

the party elected by the NEC from amongits own members in accordance with theprovisions set out in procedural ruleChapter 4 B.3 below.

C. General Secretaryi. There shall be a General Secretary of the

party who shall be appointed inaccordance with the provisions set out inprocedural rule Chapter 4 B.4 below. TheGeneral Secretary shall act as secretaryto the NEC.

ii. For the avoidance of doubt, wherever inthis rule book or upon instruction ordelegation by the NEC, or a committee orsub-committee thereof, the GeneralSecretary has a function to discharge,she or he may delegate the discharge ofsuch function to such appropriate officeror designated representative of the partyas she or he shall see fit. Further, theGeneral Secretary shall be deemedalways to have had the power so todelegate.

D. Party Treasureri. There shall be a treasurer of the party

who shall be elected by party conferenceat its regular annual meeting inaccordance with the provisions set out inrule Chapter 4 B.5 below.

E. Auditorsi. Two conference delegates shall be

elected in accordance with rule Chapter 4B.6 below to act as auditors of the partyaccounts to be submitted to the annualsession of party conference in the yearfollowing that in which they were

elected.

2. Statutory officers


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A. In order to comply with statutoryrequirements:

i. The party shall notify the ElectoralCommission of:

a. a person to be registered as thepartys leader

b. a person to be registered as thepartys nominating officer

c. a person to be registered as thepartys treasurer.

ii. The party may also notify the ElectoralCommission of:

a. a person or persons to be registeredas the partys deputy treasurer(s)

b. a person to be registered as thepartys campaigns officer.

iii. Each accounting unit shall notify theparty of the following appointments, tobe notified by the party to the ElectoralCommission:

a. a person to be registered as theaccounting units treasurer

b. a person to be registered as theaccounting units deputy treasurer

B. In the case of 2.A.i.b and 2.A.i.c, and 2.Aii.a and2.A.ii.b above, the registration of a person orpersons as statutory officers shall be subjectto the approval of the NEC.

Clause VIII.The National Executive Committee

1. The NEC shall comprise:A. 24 members elected in such proportion andunder such conditions as may be set out in

rules Chapter 3 C below and Chapter 4 Cbelow.

B. the leader and deputy leader of the partyC. the leader of the EPLPD. the treasurer of the partyE. three frontbench Members of Parliament, at

least one of whom must be a woman,nominated by the Cabinet (or Shadow Cabinetin opposition)

F. one youth member elected at the nationalYoung Labour Conference who must be awoman at least every other term.

G. one member elected by the Labour PartyBlack Socialist Society at its conference as laiddown in the rules of the socialist society. Thismember to be elected once the individualmembership of the socialist society hasreached 2,500 and at least one third ofeligible trade unions have also affiliated tothe socialist society.

2. The primary purpose of the NEC shall be toprovide a strategic direction for the party as awhole and to maintain and develop an activeparty in the country, working in partnership with

the partys representatives in Parliament, theEuropean Parliament, devolved administrations

and local government to secure the partysobjectives. The key functions of the NEC are to:

A. contribute to policy developmentB. win elections and maintain the support of

voters

C. maintain a healthy party at all levels, engagedin the community upholding the highest

standards in public lifeD. ensure a high quality of service through a

contract with party members

E. fulfil its operational and constitutionalresponsibilities as defined in this clause

F. maintain a balanced partnership between allparty stakeholders

G. ensure the party meets its legal and financialresponsibilities in compliance with thePolitical Parties, Elections and ReferendumsAct 2000 and all other legislativerequirements.

3. In furtherance of its primary purpose and keyfunctions, the duties and powers of the NEC shallinclude:

A. to uphold and enforce the constitution, rulesand standing orders of the party and to takeany action it deems necessary for suchpurpose, including disaffiliation, disbanding,suspending or otherwise disciplining anyaffiliated organisation or party unit; infurtherance of such duties it shall have thepower to suspend or take other administrativeaction against individual members of the partysubject to the provisions of the disciplinaryrules set out in chapter Chapter 6 below of

these rulesB. subject to the preceding sub-clause (a) and

through its national and regional officers,where the NEC so determines, to ensure theestablishment of and to keep in activeoperation in accordance with the rules laiddown by party conference

i. a regional board in each regiondesignated by the NEC and, in the case ofScotland and Wales, a Scottish and Welshexecutive

ii. CLPs in each Westminster parliamentaryand European parliamentary

constituency areaiii. an LGC for each elected level of local

authority above parish or community aLabour group of councillors on localauthorities having Labour representation

C. to establish and promote Young Labour byencouraging the formation of local YoungLabour groups, holding a regular Young LabourConference and establishing a nationalcommittee in accordance with the rules laiddown by party conference

D. to establish and promote a womensorganisation throughout the country by

encouraging the formation of womens forumsand by holding a regular national womensconference in accordance with the rules laiddown by party conference


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E. to ensure that party meetings and eventsshall be conducted in a friendly and orderlymanner and organised in such a way as tomaximize participation from members andthat no member shall be precluded fromattendance because they cannot gain accessto the meeting place for any reason.Harassment or intimidation of any member is

unacceptable as is any form of discriminationon the basis of gender, sexual orientation andgender identity, disability or race. The NECshall from time to time, issue guidance andinstructions on the conduct of meetings andguidance and instructions on theimplementation of quotas for womensrepresentation

F. to confer with the PLP at the opening of eachparliamentary session and to convene at anyother time when it or the PLP may desire aconference on any matters relating to thework and progress of the party. When aLabour government is in office, to confer withits representatives prior to the formulation oflegislative proposals for the nextparliamentary session

G. to present to the regular annual meeting ofparty conference a report covering the workand progress of the party during its period ofoffice, together with a report on the work ofthe NEC committees, a financial statementand duly audited accounts. This report,financial statement and accounts shall be sentto CLPs and affiliated organisations at leasttwo clear weeks before the opening of partyconference

H. to propose to party conference suchamendments to the constitution, rules andstanding orders as may be deemed desirable;also, in accordance with the rules, to submit tothe party conference such resolutions anddeclarations affecting the programme,principles and policies of the party as in itsview may be necessitated by politicalcircumstances

I. to establish a Joint Policy Committee tooversee the National Policy Forum and thePolicy Commissions in producing a rollingprogramme for submission to party

conference and which will be subject to anOMOV ballot of the eligible membership oncein each Parliament. The NEC shall also produceguidelines for the establishment andoperation of local policy forums.

J. to require CLPs to hold ballots of individualmembers on such matters as they deem to beappropriate; such ballots, where considerednecessary by the NEC or where provided for inthese rules, shall be conducted by means of aone-member-one-vote ballot on ballot papersprovided by, and to a timetable and procedurelaid down by, the NEC

K. to organise and maintain such fund or fundsas may be thought necessary for any or all ofthe objects for which the party exists,including a fund to finance parliamentary by-

elections and a fund established for thepurpose of insuring against the forfeiture ofreturning officers deposits at any generalelection. Also to establish a special fund withtrustees appointed by the NEC from affiliatedtrade unions to provide solely for thepreparation, organisation and campaigningnecessary in a national election, this fund to

be known as the Labour Party nationalelection fund

L. to secure advances from time to time, or toraise loans either by mortgage or otherwiseand on such terms as it may deem expedient;to employ any part of the funds at its disposalin the purchase of any freehold or leaseholdbuilding or site and/ or in the building, leasing,holding or rental of any premises, and in thefitting up and maintenance thereof; and toinvest any moneys not immediately requiredin such securities as it may deem proper andto realise or to vary such investments fromtime to time and to appoint trustees and/ orform a society, association, company orcompanies in accordance with the provisionsof the Friendly Societies Acts or theCompanies Acts for any or all of the abovepurposes and to define the powers of suchtrustees, society, association, company orcompanies and the manner in which suchpowers shall be exercised.

M. to issue guidance, give rulings and bringforward rule changes to party conference toensure continued compliance with the partyslegal and financial responsibilities, and to takeaction on the advice of the General Secretary

to protect the party from actions byorganisations and individuals who fail tocomply with, or fail to co-operate with theparty in meeting, such legislativerequirements.

N. to ensure an equal opportunities procedure isin place which covers the rights of membersduring all party activities. The NEC will work todeliver a Labour Party that reflects thecommunities it serves and will thereforeensure policy, practices and proceduresenshrine principles of equalities, inclusion anddiversity. The NEC confirms the policy ofpromoting equality, tackling underrepresentation and not unfairly discriminatingagainst anyone including on the basis ofgender, race, sexual orientation and genderidentity, disability or religious beliefs. The NECshall provide guidance for all aspects of theParty including selections to WestminsterParliament, European Parliament, ScottishParliament, Welsh Assembly, Devolved Bodies,Directly Elected Mayors, and Councillors forPrincipal Authorities. The NEC is responsiblefor monitoring and developing equalitiespolicy.

4. The NEC shall have the power to adjudicate indisputes that may arise at any level of the party,including between CLPs, affiliated organisationsand other party units, and between CLPs, otherparty units and individuals in those units and in


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disputes which occur between individualmembers or within the party organisation. Wherethe rules do not meet the particularcircumstances, the NEC may have regard tonational or local custom and practice as the casemay require. The NECs decisions shall be final andbinding on all organisations, units and individualsconcerned.

5. All powers of the NEC may be exercised as theNEC deems appropriate through its electedofficers, committees, sub-committees, theGeneral Secretary and other national and regionalofficials and designated representativesappointed by the NEC or the General Secretary.For the avoidance of doubt, it is hereby declaredthat the NEC shall have the power to delegate itspowers to such officers and committees andsubcommittees of the NEC and upon such termsas from time to time it shall see fit. Further, itshall be deemed always to have had such power.

Clause IX.The National Constitutional Committee

1. There shall be a National ConstitutionalCommittee of the party (the NCC) to be electedat party conference in accordance with theprocedural rules (rule Chapter 4 C.1.C below). TheNCC shall consist of 11 members of the partyeach of whom has been a member of the party fora continuous period of not less than five yearsimmediately prior to their election.

2. The duties and powers of the NCC shall be:A. to determine by hearing or otherwise such

disciplinary matters as are presented to it byCLPs in accordance with the provisionscontained in the disciplinary rules (Chapter 6below).

B. to determine by hearing or otherwise suchdisciplinary matters as are presented to it bythe officers of the party on the instructions ofthe NEC

C. where a determination has been made as aresult of a case brought under A or B above, toimpose such disciplinary measures as it thinksfit whether by way of reprimand orsuspension from holding office in the party, orbeing a delegate to any party body, orwithholding or withdrawing endorsement as a

candidate or prospective candidate of theparty at any level, or expulsion frommembership of the party or other penalty. Thedecisions of the NCC in determining suchdisciplinary matters brought before it andimposing such disciplinary measures as it seesfit, shall be final.

3.A. The NCC shall elect its chair each year from

among its members at its first meeting to beheld as soon after each annual session ofparty conference as practicable.

B. The quorum for full meetings of the NCC orhearings in front of the full NCC shall be notless than four members, who shall be present

for the entirety of a hearing involving anyindividual.

C. The NCC may, for the better ordering of itsbusiness from time to time and as it thinks fit,divide into panels of not less than threemembers who shall have the full powers ofthe NCC. Each such panel shall elect a chair asoccasion requires it. Each such panel shall

include at least one member from each ofdivisions I and III as provided for in proceduralrule Chapter 4 C.1.C below. If a member ofsuch a panel is unable to attend a hearing, thechair of the NCC may appoint another memberof the NCC to that panel as a replacement.

D. The NCC or any panel thereof shall meet atsuch time and at such place as it thinks fithaving regard to the convenience of theindividual concerned, the members of the NCCor panel, any witnesses and the effective andproper conduct of any hearing.

4. The NCC or any panel thereof in hearing anddetermining charges against an individual shallhave regard to procedural guidelines asdetermined by the NCC. The NCC shall have thepower to supplement such guidelines from timeto time and to modify its procedures in order tomeet the circumstances of any particular case toensure fairness to both the individual and theparty.

5. The NCC shall have the right to dismiss withoutfull hearing or at any point any case presented toit which it or the panel appointed to hear the caseconsiders by a majority vote to be frivolous,vexatious, an abuse of the processes of the NCC,or where it considers that no case to answer hasbeen established.

Clause X.Scope of rules

1. The general provisions of these rules shall applyto all units of the party and the model rules andstanding orders appended to these constitutionalrules shall apply to:

A. CLPsB. member branches organised within CLPsC. womens forumsD. Young Labour and Young Labour groupsE. LGCsF. local government Labour groupsG. the Scottish executive, Welsh executive and

English regional boards, including when actingas European Constituency Labour Parties.

H. ethnic minorities forums2. The NEC shall have the authority to sanction,

where the NEC considers local circumstancesrender it necessary, modifications in the rules laiddown by party conference for the various partyunits. Such modifications shall comply with thespirit and intention of the rules adopted by party

conference and may not alter the party objects,the basis or conditions of affiliated and individualmembership, vary the procedure for the selectionof parliamentary or local government candidates


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(except as provided for in the rules) or effect achange in the relationship between CLPs and theparty.

3. Party units may adopt additional rules which shallnot contravene the provisions contained in therules adopted by party conference and must besubmitted to the NEC for endorsement prior tofinal adoption and implementation; pending such

endorsement or rejection no such additional rulemay be invoked.

4. The existing constitution and rules, or any partthereof, may be amended, altered or additionsmade thereto by resolutions carried on a cardvote at party conference in the manner providedfor in the procedural rules for party conferencewhich are appended hereto. Notice of resolutionembodying any such proposal must be sent to theGeneral Secretary at the head office of the partyalso in the manner provided for in the proceduralrules.

5. For the avoidance of any doubt, any dispute as tothe meaning, interpretation or general applicationof the constitution, standing orders and rules ofthe party or any unit of the party shall be referredto the NEC for determination, and the decision ofthe NEC thereupon shall be final and conclusivefor all purposes. The decision of the NEC subjectto any modification by party conference as to themeaning and effect of any rule or any part of thisconstitution and rules shall be final.


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Chapter 2Membership rules Page 15 of 98

Chapter 2Membership rules

A. Conditions of membership1. There shall be individual members of the Labour

Party who shall pay a subscription in accordancewith these rules, subject to a minimum as laiddown in rule C below.

2. The term individual members of the party shallencompass all grades of membership laid down inrule C below; all such members shall haveequivalent rights within all units of the partyexcept as prescribed in these rules.

3.

Individual members shall be subjects/residents ofThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and NorthernIreland or citizens of Eire or other personsresident in The United Kingdom of Great Britainand Northern Ireland for more than one year who:

A. are not less than 15 years of age, andB. subscribe to the conditions of membership in

this clause, and

C. are not members of political parties ororganisations ancillary or subsidiary theretodeclared by party conference or by the NEC inpursuance of party conference decisions to beineligible for affiliation to the party.

4. ExclusionsA. A member of the party who stands for

election, subscribes to a nomination paper ofor acts as the election agent to a personstanding for election, in opposition to a Labourcandidate, shall automatically be ineligible tobe or remain a party member, subject to theprovisions of part Chapter 6 A.2 below of thedisciplinary rules.

B. A member of the party who joins and/ orsupports a political organisation other than anofficial Labour group or other unit of theparty, or supports any candidate who stands

against an official Labour candidate, orpublicly declares their intent to stand againsta Labour candidate, shall automatically beineligible to be or remain a party member,subject to the provisions of part Chapter 6 A.2below of the disciplinary rules.

C. A member of the party that is a duly endorsedLabour candidate and stands by their ownvolition as a candidate under a descriptionother than as a Labour candidate and havinggiven less than 14 days written notice of suchto the local party prior to the close ofnominations, shall automatically be ineligibleto be or remain a party member, subject to the

provisions of part Chapter 6 A.2 below of thedisciplinary rules.

D. Where a member has been convicted of aserious criminal offence and has received aprison sentence, the NEC shall have the rightto impose the appropriate disciplinary actionfrom the following options:

i. Suspension from membership or fromholding office and representation of theparty for the duration of the prison

sentence.

ii. Referral of disciplinary case to the NCCiii. Where the NEC determines it is

appropriate and based on a conviction fora serious offence, shall automatically beineligible to be or remain a party member,subject to the provisions of part Chapter6 A.2 below of the disciplinary rules.

5. Resident abroadA. Subjects of Great Britain or Northern Ireland or

citizens of Eire, the Channel Islands and Isle ofMan resident abroad may become individual

overseas members of the party, by enrolmentwith head office and paying the full standardrate subscription, provided they accept theconditions of membership in this clause.Overseas members may establish overseassupporters groups registered with head office.

B. Subjects of Great Britain or Northern Irelandtemporarily resident abroad may retain theirexisting membership of the party, subject tonotifying head office of their address, payingthe full standard rate subscription andaccepting the conditions of membership inthis clause.

C. The individual members and supportersgroups referred to in this clause shall beknown as Labour International which shalloperate according to regulations approved bythe NEC but shall include provision for therepresentation of Labour Internationalmembers at party conference, with a votingentitlement as for CLPs in Chapter 3 C.3.A.iibelow.

6. To be and remain eligible for membership, eachindividual member must:

A. accept and conform to the constitution,programme, principles and policy of the party

B. if applicable, be a member of a trade unionaffiliated to the Trade Union Congress orconsidered by the NEC as a bona fide tradeunion and contribute to the political fund ofthat union (a person who does not contributeto the political fund of her/his trade unionmay not be an individual member of the party)

C. be a member of the CLP (where one exists) forthe address where she or he resides and isregistered as an elector unless having movedsince the registration qualifying date,temporarily resident abroad or otherwiseprevented from being registered, in whichcase she or he must be resident within that

constituency.D. on becoming elected as a public

representative (i.e. member of Westminster,


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Scottish or European Parliament, GreaterLondon Assembly, Welsh Assembly or localgovernment body), pay their membershipsubscriptions by Direct Debit.

7. The NEC may rescind endorsement as a full partymember when evidence is provided that theindividual concerned neither resides &/or is on theelectoral register and is therefore (subject to 5

above) ineligible for membership; or whereevidence is provided that the individualconcerned has been claiming reduced rate orregistered membership when s/he is not entitledto it under C.1 below.

8. No member of the party shall engage in conductwhich in the opinion of the NCC is prejudicial, or inany act which in the opinion of the NCC is grosslydetrimental to the party. Any dispute as towhether a member is in breach of the provisionsof this sub-clause shall be determined by the NCCin accordance with Chapter 1 Clause IX above ofthe constitutional rules (in chapter Chapter 1

above) and the disciplinary rules and guidelines(in chapter Chapter 6 below). Where appropriatethe NCC shall have regard to involvement infinancial support for the organisation and/ or theactivities of any organisation declared ineligiblefor affiliation to the party under Clause II.5 of theconstitutional rules or 3.C above; or to thecandidature of the members in opposition to anofficially endorsed Labour Party candidate or thesupport for such candidature. The NCC shall nothave regard to the mere holding or expression ofbeliefs and opinions.

B. Membership procedures1. Individual members of the party shall be recruitedinto membership in accordance with these rules

and any applicable NEC guidelines which shall beissued to party units and affiliated organisationsfrom time to time. Members of affiliatedorganisations not already members who havepaid the political levy or political subscriptions tothe affiliated organisation for a period of at least12 months may be recruited into membership ofthe party via that affiliated organisation asregistered members.

2. Without prejudice to any other provision of theserules, and without prejudice to its powers underClause VIII of the constitutional rules, the NECshall be empowered to determine any dispute orquestion which may arise in respect ofmembership of the party, either by consideringthe matter itself or by referring the matter to theNEC Disputes Panel for a decision. In such casesthe NECs decision, or the decision of the DisputesPanel as approved by the NEC, shall be final andbinding.

3. For the avoidance of doubt and without prejudiceto any other provision in this rule book, anybreach of any of these procedures, NEC guidelinesor the NEC code of conduct shall be liable to bedealt with by the NCC as a disciplinary offence.

4. The NEC shall issue procedural guidelines onissues relating to membership from time to time,including a code of conduct on membership

recruitment. In particular, the NEC wishes tohighlight the following areas of potential abuseof membership rules:

A. It is an abuse of party rules for one individualor faction to buy party membership for otherindividuals or groups of individuals who wouldotherwise be unwilling to pay their ownsubscriptions.

B. It is an abuse of party rules for an individual orfaction to offer reduced-rate membership topeople they know to be ineligible for thatcategory of membership.

C. It is an abuse of party rules for individuals orfactions to recruit members who do not live atthe claimed addresses in an attempt tomanipulate local party meetings or theoutcome of party ballots.

D. It is a requirement of party rules for members,where eligible, to register to vote at theaddress for which they claim membership. It isan abuse of this rule to allow those who are

not willing to register to vote for the party tobecome members of it.

E. It shall be regarded as an act grosslydetrimental to the party to withholdmembership payments collected locally. Partyofficers and members should be aware thatinvolvement in such abuses shall beconsidered as behaviour likely to bring theparty into disrepute and prima facie evidenceof such behaviour may lead to disciplinaryaction leading to expulsion under theconstitutional rules of the party.

C. Membership subscriptions1. Each individual member of the party shall pay a

minimum annual membership subscription. Thelevel of subscription shall be set in accordancewith the formula shown below.

A. Unwaged persons, pensioners who haveretired from work, persons working less than16 hours a week and persons on governmenttraining schemes, shall be allowed individualreduced membership of the party at areduced minimum annual subscription.

B. Members of an affiliated trade union payingthe political levy and members of an affiliatedsocialist society paying a political subscription,who are not already full members of the party,shall be allowed individual registeredmembership of the party at a reducedminimum annual subscription.

C. MPs, MEPs, MSPs, AMs and members of theLabour Group in the House of Lords shall pay aparliamentarians annual subscription.

D. New members under the age of 19 or LabourStudents can join for an annual subscription of1 and can continue on this rate whilst theyare in full time education, thereafter revertingto the standard rate. In order to provide allmembers with a quality membership service

and to achieve the objectives of the LabourParty, members are encouraged to pay a


18/98


membership fee according to their annualincome.

2. That on the 1st January each year themembership fee will increase by the rate ofinflation (using the rate of inflation for theprevious October). The reduced and registeredrate membership fees will be set at 50% of thefull rate each year rounded to the nearest 50p.

The parliamentarians rate will be set at twice thestandard rate each year. The NEC will retain thepower to bring to conference recommendations toset the membership fee increase at a levelgreater than inflation, if it deems that necessary.

3. In order to develop membership, CLPs may adjustmembership subscriptions for specific purposes asagreed in principle by party conference.

4. Eligibility and arrearsA. A member may only participate and vote in

party meetings if they are endorsed and havepaid the appropriate subscription to headoffice. Any dispute as to eligibility shall beresolved by the regional director or Scottish/Welsh general secretary (or their designatedrepresentative) with reference to the recordsof the national membership system. It is theresponsibility of the individual member toproduce a valid membership card whenrequired.

B. To participate in the selection of candidates atany level, a member must be fully paid up bythe notified relevant date. A member shall bedeemed to be fully paid up if they are not inarrears, either in whole or in part, with theirmembership payments.

C. A member shall be deemed to be in arrearsfrom the expiry date of their membership untilthey renew their subscription.

D. A member shall be deemed to have lapsedfrom membership if s/he has been in arrearsfor six months and has not responded to arequest to pay the arrears.

5. NEC guidelines shall be published to deal with thepayment of membership arrears and the grantingin exceptional circumstances of continuousmembership to lapsed members who have paidany outstanding subscriptions owed.


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Chapter 3Party Conference Page 18 of 98

Chapter 3Party Conference

A. Delegations1. Party conference shall be constituted as follows:

A. Delegates duly appointed by each affiliatedtrade union or other affiliated organisation tothe number of one delegate for each 5,000members or part thereof on whom affiliationfees, by election insurance premiums and anylevies due were paid for the year ending 31December prior to the conference. Arequirement is placed on affiliatedorganisations that their delegation shouldinclude women at least in the proportions inwhich they are represented in thatorganisations membership. Where themembership of an affiliated trade union orother organisation is less than 5,000members, an additional woman delegate maybe appointed if the womens membership is400 or more.

B. Delegates duly appointed by CLPs to thenumber of one delegate for the first 749individual members in the constituency or partthereof paying their membership dues as of31 December in the previous year, and one

further delegate for every additional 250individual members in the constituency or partthereof. CLPs must also have paid anyoutstanding insurance premiums and otherlevies due before their delegation shall beaccepted. To increase the representation ofwomen at party conference, at least everysecond delegate from a CLP shall be a woman;where only one delegate is appointed thismust be a woman at least in every other year.In a year where a CLP is required to send afemale delegate, following a male delegate inthe preceding year, but is unable to find one,they will not be entitled to send a man as

delegate. In the following year, permissionmay be granted to send a male delegate ifthey demonstrate to the conferencearrangements committee that they havemade every effort to seek a woman delegate.

C. Where the individual womens membership ina constituency is 100 or more, an additionalwoman delegate may be appointed. Where theindividual Young Labour membership in aconstituency is 30 or more an additionaldelegate under the age of 27 may beappointed.

D. Ex-officio members of party conference are asfollows:i. members of the NECii. members of the PLP

iii. members of the EPLPiv. parliamentary Labour candidates for

Westminster and European electionswhose candidatures have been endorsedby the NEC

v. the General Secretary of the LabourParty

vi. accredited organisers employed by thepartyvii. the lay members of the NEC committeesviii. the chair of the National Committee of

Young Labour

ix. members of the National ConstitutionalCommittee

x. members of the National Policy Forumxi. officers of the Local Government

Association Labour group and theconvenor of the Convention of ScottishLocal Authorities Labour group

xii.

members of the Labour groups of theScottish Parliament and the NationalAssembly of Wales.

xiii. members of the Association of LabourCouncillors Ex-officio members shall haveno voting power, except as provided forin the rules for the election of partyleader and deputy leader or where theyhave been notified as being a member ofan affiliated organisations or CLPsdelegation.

xiv. members of the Executive Committee ofthe Black Socialist Society.

E. Any special sessions of party conference shallbe called on the same basis of representationas that upon which the preceding annualsession of party conference was convened.

2. An affiliated organisation or CLP may appoint adelegate in addition to its entitlement under 3A.1of this clause if one of its duly appointeddelegates is the treasurer, a member of the NEC, amember of the Conference ArrangementsCommittee, or a member of the NationalConstitutional Committee due for reelection thatyear.

3. The procedural rules of party conferenceappended to these rules (C below) shall beconsidered for all purposes as if they form part ofthe constitution and shall have effect accordingly.

4. All delegates must qualify for appointment asfollows:

A. Every delegate must be an individual memberof the party as described in the membershiprules, except persons who are resident inNorthern Ireland who are duly appointeddelegates of affiliated trade unions and whoindividually accept and conform to theconstitution, programme, policy and principlesof the party.

B.

Delegates must be bona fide members or paidpermanent officials of the organisationappointing them, or, in the case of CLPdelegates, reside within the constituency they


20/98


have been appointed to represent, except inthe case of members of the PLP or dulyendorsed parliamentary Labour candidatesappointed to represent CLPs in accordancewith sub-section C which follows.

C. Members of the PLP and duly endorsedparliamentary Labour candidates may beappointed as delegates by CLPs responsible

for their candidatures; otherwise, delegatesappointed by CLPs must either reside or beregistered as electors in the constituencythey represent.

D. No person shall act as a delegate for morethan one organisation.

E. Members of Parliament who are not membersof the PLP are ineligible to act as delegates.

F. All delegates must have been individualmembers of the party for at least 12 monthsat the closing date set for the receipt ofnames of delegates (see C.1.E below).

B. Conference Arrangements Committee1. There shall be elected in accordance with the

procedural rules Chapter 4 C.1.B below aConference Arrangements Committee of sevenmembers for the annual session of partyconference in the year succeeding its election orfor any special session of conference calledduring the intervening period. A member of staffshall act as secretary to the committee.

2. The duties of the Conference ArrangementsCommittee shall be:

A. to arrange the order of the agenda of partyconference

B. to act as a standing orders committeeC. to select scrutineers and tellers as may be

required from among the delegates whosenames have been received at the head officeof the party by the closing date for theappointment of delegates to any conferenceand submit them for approval to thatconference.

C. Procedural rules for Party Conference1. Conference rule 1 Annual Party Conference

A. The NEC shall (whenever practicable) convenean annual session of party conference during

September/ October in each year, inaccordance with the conditions laid down inthe constitution and these rules. It may alsoconvene special sessions of party conferencewhen it deems necessary.

B. When a party conference is called at shortnotice, the secretaries of affiliatedorganisations and CLPs shall, on receiving thesummons, instantly take steps to securerepresentation of their organisation inaccordance with the constitution and theserules.

C. Any session of party conference summonedwith less than ten days notice shall confineits business strictly to that relating to theemergency giving rise to the special session.

D. A delegation fee on each delegate shall bepayable by affiliated organisations and CLPssending delegates to party conference. Exofficio members of party conference inattendance shall also pay a fee. Such feesmust be paid to party head office beforecredentials are issued. The amount of thedelegation fee payable for each conference

shall be fixed by the NEC and notified to allaffiliated organisations and CLPs. For theannual session of party conference this shallbe fixed by 31 December of the precedingyear.

E. The timetable for the receipt of names andaddresses of delegates appointed by affiliatedorganisations and CLPs shall be determined bythe NEC and submitted to the affiliatedorganisations and CLPs with the noticeconvening the conference. In the case of aspecial conference session called under ClauseVI of the constitution, the NEC shall alsodetermine a date by which such names andaddresses shall be submitted.

F. The NEC may make arrangements each yearfor the pooling of railway fares in respect ofdelegations to party conference appointed byCLPs.

2. Conference rule 2 AgendaA. The NEC shall present to conference the

report of the NEC, including: a summary of itswork during the previous year; the work of theNEC committees and proposed programme forthe forthcoming year. All such documentationshall be circulated to all affiliatedorganisations and CLPs by a date to bedetermined by the NEC.

B. The NEC shall present to conference thereport of the NPF, including: a summary of itswork during the previous year; the work of thepolicy commissions; draft and final documents;options, alternatives or minority reports bythe NPF; and proposed programme for theforthcoming year to be circulated to allaffiliated organisations and CLPs by a date tobe determined by the NEC.

C. All affiliated organisations and CLPs maysubmit one contemporary issue which is notsubstantially addressed by reports of the NEC

or NPF to Conference . The CAC shalldetermine whether the issues meet thesecriteria and submit all issues received to apriorities ballot at the start of conference. Theballot will be divided into two sections. Onesection for CLPs and one section for tradeunions and other affiliated organisations. Atleast the four priorities selected by CLPs willbe time-tabled for debate, as will at least thefirst four priorities selected by Trade Unionsand other affiliated organisations. Issues mustbe in writing, on one subject only and in tenwords or less and may be supported by anexplanation of why the issue should beprioritised. Alternatively, a constitutionalamendment on one subject only may besubmitted in writing. Contemporary issues and


21/98


constitutional amendments must be receivedby the General Secretary at the offices of theparty by the closing date determined by theNEC.

D. All affiliated organisations and CLPs maysubmit motions to the NEC on campaigningand organisational issues and to the NPF andits policy commissions on policy issues

throughout the year. The NEC and NPF shallconsider such motions and report on actiontaken in their annual report to conference.

E. Nominations for leader and deputy leader, theNEC, treasurer, auditors, ConferenceArrangements Committee, National PolicyForum and National Constitutional Committeeshall be sent in writing on the form providedto the secretary at the offices of the party bythe closing date agreed by the NEC. Eachaffiliated organisation and CLP shall beentitled to make nominations as provided forin these rules and such nominations shall be

included in the final agenda.F. Constitutional amendments, contemporary

issues, emergency resolutions andnominations shall be accepted only from thoseaffiliated organisations and CLPs who havemet their financial obligations to the party,including affiliation fees, by-election andother insurance premiums and any levies duefor the preceding year.

G. Conference shall consider policy reports anddraft reports as part of the rolling programme,the NPF report, the NEC annual report, NECstatements and development strategy,constitutional amendments and contemporaryissues or emergency resolutions submittedand accepted. It shall not consider anybusiness unless recommended by the NEC orthe CAC. At any special session of partyconference, the NEC shall determine thebusiness to be conducted.

H. When party conference has made a decisionon a constitutional amendment, no resolutionto amend that part of the constitution or rulesof the party shall appear on the agenda for aperiod of three years from the time suchdecision is made, except such resolutions toamend the constitution and rules that are in

the opinion of the NEC of immediateimportance.

3. Conference rule 3 VotingA. Voting at party conference on resolutions,

reports, amendments, proposals andreferences back shall be by show of hands or,when the conditions laid down by the CACrequire it, by card. When a card vote is called,voting shall be in two sections as follows:

i. Affiliated organisations shall cast apercentage of the total votingentitlement as laid down in iv below , onthe basis of the number of members for

whom affiliation fees were paid for theyear ending 31 December preceding theconference in accordance with Clause IIof the constitution. The vote of each

affiliated organisation shall then bedivided equally among the registereddelegates of that organisation standingappointed at the date determined by theNEC; such votes shall be allocated toeach delegate to be cast separately.

ii. CLPs shall cast a percentage of the totalvoting entitlement as laid down in iv

below , on the basis of the actual numberof fully paid up members in the CLP at 31December preceding the conference. Thevote of the CLP shall then be dividedequally among the registered delegatesstanding appointed at the datedetermined by the NEC; such votes shallbe allocated to each delegate to be castseparately.

iii. The votes apportioned as provided for ini above and ii above shall be totalled andthe aggregate reported to conference asa percentage for each section.

iv. The balance of voting between the twosections shall be: 50 per cent to theaffiliated organisations (as in i above),and 50 per cent to the CLPs (as in iiabove).

B. Voting at any special conference session shallbe on the same basis as that upon whichvoting took place at the preceding annualsession of party conference.


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Chapter 4Elections of national officers of the party and national committees Page 21 of 98

Chapter 4Elections of nationalofficers of the party andnational committees

A. General principles1. Internal party elections for officer posts and the

membership of national committees shall beconducted in a fair, open and transparent manner,in accordance with the constitutional rules of theparty and any appropriate NEC guidelines.

B. Procedural rules for elections for nationalofficers of the party

1. GeneralA. The following procedures provide a rules

framework which, unless varied by theconsent of the NEC, shall be followed whenconducting elections for party officers. TheNEC will also issue procedural guidelines onnominations, timetable, codes of conduct forcandidates and other matters relating to theconduct of these elections.

2. Election of leader and deputy leaderA. The leader and deputy leader shall be electedseparately in accordance with rule C below,

unless rule E below applies.

B. Nominationi. In the case of a vacancy for leader or

deputy leader, each nomination must besupported by 12.5 per cent of theCommons members of the PLP.Nominations not attaining this thresholdshall be null and void.

ii. Where there is no vacancy, nominationsshall be sought each year prior to theannual session of party conference. In

this case any nomination must besupported by 20 per cent of theCommons members of the PLP.Nominations not attaining this thresholdshall be null and void.

iii. Affiliated organisations, CLPs and LabourMembers of the European Parliamentmay also nominate for each of theoffices of leader and deputy leader. Allnominees must be Commons members ofthe PLP.

iv. Nominees shall inform the GeneralSecretary in writing of the acceptance orotherwise of their nomination at leasttwo clear weeks before thecommencement of the procedures forvoting laid out in rule C below. Unless

written consent to nomination isreceived, nominations shall be renderednull and void.

v. Valid nominations shall be printed in thefinal agenda for party conference,together with the names of thenominating organisations and Commonsmembers of the PLP supporting the

nominations. In the case of a vacancyunder E below this information shall beincluded with the documentationcirculated with any ballot.

vi. Nominees who do not attend therelevant party conference shall bedeemed to have withdrawn theirnominations, unless they send to thesecretary on or before the day on whichthe conference opens an explanation inwriting of their absence satisfactory tothe CAC.

C. Votingi. Voting in the election of leader and

deputy leader shall take place so that theresults are declared at an annual sessionof party conference; except in the caseof a vacancy occurring under E below ofthis rule when the timetable for theballot shall be as determined by the NEC.

ii. Voting shall take place consecutively inthree sections as follows:

a. Section 1 shall consist of Commonsmembers of the PLP and members ofthe European PLP. Each such membershall be entitled to one vote in each

ballot held under this section of therules.

b. Section 2 shall consist of a vote of alleligible individual members of theparty on the basis of one member onevote. This ballot shall take place on anational basis and shall be countedand recorded as an aggregate votebroken down by CLP. Eligiblemembers shall be those currently onthe national membership list who areendorsed and have not lapsed frommembership.

c. Section 3 shall consist of thosemembers of affiliated organisationswho have indicated their support forthe Labour Party and that they arenot members or supporters of anyother party or otherwise ineligible tobe members of the Labour Party.Voting shall take place under theprocedures of each affiliatedorganisation, but on a one-person-one-vote basis recorded by affiliatedorganisations and aggregated for anational total. The ballot paper shallprovide for the declaration of support

and eligibility required under this ruleif no prior declaration has been made.


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iii. The votes of each nominee in eachsection shall be calculated as apercentage of the total votes cast in thatsection and shall then be apportioned asfollows:

a. Section 1 (members of the Commonsand European PLPs) one third

b.

Section 2 (individual members of theLabour Party) one third

c. Section 3 (members of affiliatedorganisations) one third.

iv. The votes apportioned as provided in iiiabove shall be totalled and the candidatereceiving more than half of the votes soapportioned shall be declared elected. Ifno candidate reaches this total on thefirst ballot, further ballots shall be heldon an elimination basis. Theredistribution of votes shall be accordingto preferences indicated on the ballotpaper.

v. The votes cast for each nominee in eachsection shall be recorded and publishedin a form to be determined by the NEC assoon as possible following any election.

D. Timing of an electioni. When the PLP is in opposition in the

House of Commons, the election of theleader and deputy leader shall take placeat each annual session of partyconference.

ii. When the PLP is in government and theleader and/ or deputy leader are prime

minister and/ or in Cabinet, an electionshall proceed only if requested by amajority of party conference on a cardvote.

iii. In any other circumstances an electionshall only be held when a vacancy occurs,subject to E below.

E. Procedure in a vacancyi. When the party is in government and the

party leader is prime minister and theparty leader, for whatever reason,becomes permanently unavailable, theCabinet shall, in consultation with the

NEC, appoint one of its members to serveas party leader until a ballot under theserules can be carried out.

ii. When the party is in government and thedeputy leader becomes party leaderunder i above of this rule, the Cabinetmay, in consultation with the NEC,appoint one of its members to serve asdeputy leader until the next partyconference. The Cabinet mayalternatively, in consultation with theNEC, leave the post vacant until the nextparty conference.

iii. When the party is in government and thedeputy leader, for whatever reason,becomes permanently unavailable, theCabinet may, in consultation with the

NEC, appoint one of its members to serveas deputy leader until the next partyconference. The Cabinet mayalternatively, in consultation with theNEC, leave the post vacant until the nextparty conference.

iv. When the party is in opposition and theparty leader, for whatever reason,

becomes permanently unavailable, thedeputy leader shall automatically becomeparty leader on a pro-tem basis. The NECshall decide whether to hold animmediate ballot as provided under Eabove or to elect a new leader at thenext annual session of party conference.

v. When the party is in opposition and theleader and deputy leader, for whateverreason, both become permanentlyunavailable, the NEC shall order a postalballot as provided under E above. Inconsultation with the Shadow Cabinet

they may choose to appoint a member ofthe Shadow Cabinet to serve as partyleader until the outcome of that ballot.

3. Election of chair and vice-chairA. The NEC shall elect its own chair and vice-

chair at its first meeting each year. Thoseelected to these positions shall act in thatcapacity throughout the year and also act aschair and vice-chair of the subsequent annualsession of party conference and any specialsessions of party conference during thecourse of the year.

B. The NEC shall also elect during the course ofthe year a panel of three assistant chairs who,together with the vice-chair, shall assist thechair in the conduct of party conference.These assistant chairs shall be elected by thewhole of the NEC with one each coming fromthe representatives on the NEC from DivisionsI and II, Division III, and Divisions IV and V, byselection from each division of the NEC of thesenior member who has yet to be chair orvicechair. The decision as to who shall chairparticular sessions of the conference shall betaken by the chair of the NEC afterconsultation with the members of the panel.

4. Election of General SecretaryA. The General Secretary shall be elected by

party conference on the recommendation ofthe NEC and shall be an ex-officio member ofparty conference. S/he shall devote her or hiswhole time to the work of the party and shallnot be eligible to act as a parliamentarycandidate. S/he shall remain in office so longas her/ his work gives satisfaction to the NECand party conference. Should a vacancy in theoffice occur, for whatever reason, betweenparty conferences, the NEC shall have fullpower to fill the vacancy subject to theapproval of party conference.

5. Election of party treasurer


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A. Every affiliated organisation and CLP maynominate a person for party treasurer who isan eligible member of the party.

B. The CLPs portion of the votes shall be cast bya ballot among all eligible individual membersof the party by means of a national one-member-one-vote postal ballot conducted toguidelines laid down by the NEC. The affiliates

portion of the votes shall be cast by a ballotof affiliated organisations on the sametimetable as the CLP members ballot.

C. The term of office of the party treasurer shallbe for two years.

6. Election of auditorsA. Two auditors shall be elected by means of a

ballot on a card vote basis as provided inthese rules.

B. Every affiliated organisation and CLP maynominate a person for auditor who is aneligible member of the party.

C. In the event of an auditor being unable tofulfil the duties, the same procedure shall befollowed to fill the vacancy as in the case ofthe CAC in C.1.B.iii below.

7. Election of leaders of the Labour groups in theScottish Parliament and the Welsh Assembly

A. The leader of the Labour group in the ScottishParliament and the leader of the WelshAssembly shall be elected according to therules framework for the leader and deputyleader of the party set out in Chapter 4 B.2above, subject to any guidelines issued by theNEC from time to time.

C. Procedural rules for elections for nationalcommittees

1. The following procedures provide a rulesframework to be followed when conductingelections for places on the partys nationaldecision-making committees. The NEC will alsoissue procedural guidelines on nominations,timetable, codes of conduct for candidates andother matters relating to the conduct of theseelections.

A. Election of the National Executive Committeei. No elected member of the House of

Commons, European Parliament, ScottishParliament, Welsh Assembly or a memberof the House of Lords shall be eligible tostand in Divisions I, II, III, or IV of the NEC.Any member of Divisions I, II, III or IV shallcease to be a member of the NEC if theyare elected to the House of Commons,European Parliament, ScottishParliament, Welsh Assembly or areappointed to the House of Lords. Theresulting vacancy shall be filled accordingto the provision of Clause iv below. Forthe purpose of nomination and electionthe NEC shall be divided into five

divisions:a. Division I (trade unions) shall consist

of 12 members, at least six of whomshall be women, to be nominated by

trade unions and elected by theirdelegations at party conference.

b. Division II (socialist and co-operativesocieties) shall consist of onemember to be nominated by socialist,co-operative and other organisationsand elected by their delegations atparty conference.

c. Division III (CLPs) shall consist of sixmembers, at least three of whomshall be women, to be nominated bytheir own CLP and at least two otherCLPs. The ballot for these places shallbe conducted among all eligibleindividual members of the party bymeans of a national one-member-one-vote postal ballot conducted toguidelines laid down by the NEC.

d. Division IV (local government) shallconsist of two members of theAssociation of Labour Councillors

(ALC), at least one of whom shall bea woman, duly nominated by Labourgroups. The ballot for these placesshall be conducted among allindividual ALC members by means ofa national one-member-one-votepostal ballot conducted to guidelineslaid down by the NEC.

e. Division V (PLP) shall consist of threeCommons members of the PLP ormembers of the EPLP, at least one ofwhom shall be a woman. They shallbe nominated from among backbenchLabour MPs and all MEPs (except theleader of the EPLP) and elected by allLabour MPs and MEPs. The ballotshall be conducted to guidelines laiddown by the NEC.

ii. The votes cast for each nominee by allaffiliated organisations and CLPs shall berecorded and published following eachconference.

iii. Nominations for the NEC shall be made inaccordance with the following conditions:

a. Nominees must be bona fide payingmembers of the affiliatedorganisations/CLPs submitting theirnominations (other than supportingnominations).

b. A nominee of a CLP must beregistered as an elector in the area ofthe CLP submitting the nomination(unless ineligible for such registrationin which case s/he must be residentin that area), unless the CLP is makinga supporting nomination for amember of another CLP.

c. Commons members of the PLP andmembers of the EPLP shall beineligible for nomination to Divisions

I, II, III and IV of the NEC.


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d. Members of the General Council ofthe Trades Union Congress are noteligible for nomination to the NEC.

e. Persons nominated shall inform theGeneral Secretary in writing of theacceptance or otherwise of thatnomination in accordance with thetimetable determined by the NEC. If

written consent to nomination is notreceived by the date specified in theNEC timetable the nomination shallbe rendered null and void.

f. Each affiliated organisation maymake one nomination from among itsduly appointed delegates for itsappropriate division of the NEC.Where a Trade Union pays fees on500,000 members or more it maymake an additional nomination forDivision I.

g. Any vacancy which occurs amongmembers of the NEC between annualsessions of party conference shall befilled by the NEC co-opting thehighest placed unsuccessful nomineein the Division concerned for theelection declared at the annualsession of conference Immediatelypreceding the vacancy.

iv. Any vacancy which occurs amongmembers of the NEC between annualsessions of party conference shall befilled by the NEC co-opting the highestunsuccessful nominee in the divisionconcerned (subject to the rules onmaintaining at least 50% representationfor women) as shown in the results ofthe election for the NEC declared at theannual session of party conferenceimmediately preceding the vacancy.

v. The term of office in each of the five NECdivisions shall be two years.

B. Election of Conference ArrangementsCommittee

i. The CAC shall consist of seven members,at least three of whom shall be women.

a. Five members, at least two of whomshall be women, nominated byaffiliated organisations or CLPs shallbe elected by party conference bymeans of a ballot on a card vote basisas provided in these rules.

b. The other two members, at least oneof whom shall be a woman,nominated by CLPs shall be electedby means of a ballot among delegatesfrom CLPs at party conference on acard vote basis as provided in theserules Chapter 3 C.3.A above.

ii. Every affiliated organisation and CLPmay nominate an eligible member of theparty for a seat on the CAC.

iii. Any vacancy which occurs between partyconferences among members of the CAC

shall be filled by the CAC co-opting thedelegate or ex-officio member whoreceived the highest total of votesamong those not elected in theappropriate section of the ballot for theCAC at the previous conference (and notalready a member of the CAC). Should thevoting list be exhausted the affiliated

organisation or CLP which nominated themember originally elected to the vacantseat shall nominate a substitute to servethe rest of the term.

iv. The term of office for CAC members shallbe two years.

C. Election of National Constitutional Committeei. For the purposes only of nomination and

election, the NCC shall be divided intothree divisions as follows:

a. Division I shall consist of sixmembers, at least three of whomshall be women, to be nominated by

affiliated trade unions and elected bytheir delegations at party conferenceon a card vote basis.

b. Division II shall consist of onemember to be nominated by socialist,co-operative and other organisationsand elected by their delegations atparty conference on a card vote basis.

c. Division III shall consist of fourmembers, at least two of whom shallbe women, to be nominated by CLPsand elected by their delegations atparty conference on a card vote basis.

ii. The votes cast for each nominee by allaffiliated organisations and CLPs shall berecorded and published following eachconference.

iii. Nominations for the NCC shall be made inaccordance with the following conditi

Labour Party Rule Book 2010

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Transcript of Labour Party Rule Book 2010