Instead, Brown is calling for generalised debates on contemporary ISSUES - with no vote. The ability of trade unions and CLPs to have their say and take policy positions will be history if these proposals become a reality. Let me put this in context.
The last few years have seen contemporary motions on all the following issues: Iraq, Council housing, the right to secondary picketing, Gate Gourmet workers, NHS privatisation, re-nationalisation of the railways. On all these issues, the leadership was defeated. And Gordon doesn't want any more dissent. I have e-mailed NEC rep Ann Black on this and her advice is to flood the Labour Party website with your views. We have to make it clear the grassroots are strongly opposed to this blindingly obvious bid to put the last nail in the coffin of Party democracy.