Brown must dump Collins for GS idea

Gordon Brown's political authority is inextricably linked to the future of the Labour Party itself. The latest issue of Tribune reports that Britain's largest union Unite's leaders Tony Woodley and Derek Simpson have thrown their weight behind assistant-general secretary Ray Collins, who has also won the support of No. 10. Shame on both Woodley and Simpson, if this is true, for throwing their own reputations as advocates of equal opportunities recruitment processes out of the window, as well as that of the union they have created. If Gordon Brown has any regard for his own reputation he will put a stop to this nonsense forthwith.


If by any chance there are some financial strings attached to the cosy deal, it will not belong before some newshound exposes them, and Brown's tattered reputation will be shot completely.

I set my views out about the process here. Whatever differences I have with Mike Griffiths over the way as chair of the NEC last year he handled Brown's proposals on Extending and Renewing Party Democracy pale into insignificance compared with the way that first David Pitt-Watson and now Mike himself have been treated by No 10 political staff and some NEC members. They were both deemed appointable in an equal ops recruitment process, Pitt-Watson withdrew. Mike should be offered the job, unless the NEC can come up with an water-tight legal case not to offer him the post. I hope Mike stands his ground, and Brown backs him. After all Brown sat through the whole interview panel in March, so he must know the process was beyond reproach.



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Re: Brown must dump Collins for GS idea (#1)

Keep going, Mike!  The members support you.

Re: Brown must dump Collins for GS idea (#2)

It's not clear to me that the GenSec post is a "job" subject to employment law; seems to me it is an elected post. Rule4B.4a says "The General Secretary shall be elected by party conference on the recommendation
of the NEC".

Assuming it is an elected post, how can the NEC not allow open nominations to that elected post? Not to do so seems to contrary to natural law. I'm coming around to the notion that the NEC / party officers should be challenged in the courts over some of their dubious decisions.

NB the rulebook also says "Should a vacancy in the office occur, for whatever reason, between party conferences, the NEC shall have full power to fill the vacancy subject to the approval of party conference", but I don't think that can change its essential elected post character.

Re: Brown must dump Collins for GS idea (#4)

... and I should have added that Rule 4A1 covering the General principles of the GenSec post election says "Internal party elections for officer posts ... shall be conducted in a fair, open and transparent manner ...". How can only allowing one candidate stand (be considered) for that post be compatible with this rule?

Re: Brown must dump Collins for GS idea (#3)

Dear Richard

Which line of attack is stronger - Equal ops or the non-election/Conference rubber stamp? It's plain where I'm coming from. The NEC spends £50K on headhunters going through an equal ops selection process, then jettisons an appointable candidate after its first preference declines the offer (albeit belatedly)....isn't that enuf said? 

Re: Brown must dump Collins for GS idea (#5)

Peter,

I agree that the NEC have handled it as a job selection process, but the rulebook seems crystal clear it is an elected post - why else could there be a rule "4B.4 Election of General Secretary" ?  It is a mess - in practice the post seems to be treated as having a dual nature of an elected post combined with a salaried job.

Tactically I'm not sure which line of attack is stronger. I'm not sure how strong employment law is where there is no racial or sexual discrimination. Viewed as an election, seems to me very likely courts would force a fair, open and transparent election per the rulebook upon the party if a member took it to the courts.

Re: Brown must dump Collins for GS idea (#6)

Peter, casting aside the fact that Pitt-Watson was ALWAYS  the wrong man for the job I quite agree   this is a disgraceful farrago  and that Mike Griffiths   should  be given the post.

Re: Brown must dump Collins for GS idea (#7)

An Unite member I want Mike Griffiths to get the job

Wiseman