After the recent treatment of Mike Griffiths and the many other 'very democractic' processes in our party, I would like to ask for your support through the Compass, LRC, affiliates, trade unions and wherever you maybe in the party for democractic change.  We must use the NEC elections this year and in two years time, also the NPF and other avenues to start again on the NEC and get some people election who are willing to work for the grassroots actvists and WILL LISTEN and act like DEMOCRACTS and not AUTOCRATS!!

John Wiseman

Peter Oborne writes in the Mail today about the current state of the party's finances

Embattled Labour Party leader Gordon Brown today invited members to underwrite the Party's debts according to their means and pledged a major overhaul to re-establish a mass-membership organisation reaching out to every community in Britain to promote Labour values.

Once again there has been a round of speculation in the press on the state of Labour's finances, but party members are not being told what is really happening.

Tribune has been following the Labour Party refinancing saga closely - seemingly the only good source of info for ordinary members on how the £21 million debt, largely from the 2005 election campaign, will be handled. The saga moves on another notch today.

Last week's Labour Party National Executive Committee considered the next stage of policy-making. Since the launch of Partnership in Power in 1997, the internal processes have developed what astrophysicists refer to as "black hole" characteristics.

On the eve of the launch of the London Mayoral campaign this might not be seen by the powers that be as the most appropriate time for a spot of navel gazing. Having blogged vigorously for a general secretary majoring in financial planning skills and an eye on rebuilding membership, there is no better moment than now to highlight the harsh realities. After all if it took ten years from 1987 to 1997 to put on between 125,000 and 150,000 members; how long is it going to take just to put on the 200,000 plus we have lost since regaining power?

Former Assitant General Secretary David Pitt-Watson has been appointed GS by the NEC. Pitt-Watson has a track record in private sector finance and I have acquired the biog below from the Labour Finance & Industry Group. Pitt-Watson is believed to have been the Prime Minister's preferred candidate for the position.

The latest donations and borrowing data from the Electoral Commission revealed Labour's net indebtedness in Q4 2007 was slightly higher while donations were sharply lower. The Party's dependence on its traditional financial supporters - the trade unions has increased, while TU members' readiness to fund Labour is facing increasing opposition from rank-and-file members.

Tribune today has a dramatic article about Labour Party attempts to reschedule up to £14 million of loans, and that NEC members could be personally liable for the debts if legal action is taken. Apparently a last resort of converting the party into a limited company is being considered by some, to protect the NEC members from liability!

The Grassroots Alliance are standing a slate that lacks full democratic legitimacy in this year's NEC elections. As a young and perhaps idealistic member I am outraged at the partisan attacks on a committed democrat and activist who dares challenge this hypocrisy.

A debate has opened up on Grimmerupnorth, Labour Left Forum, LabourHome as well as here about the issue of slates for the forthcoming Labour National Executive Committee (NEC). Questions are being asked, aspertions cast, and denigrations peppered. It is as though political animals with a common agenda shouldn't been seen congregating together. Oh, you are on a slate - political pervert.

With all the recent discussions over the membership and role of the NEC, I thought I'd take a look at the rules - and was surprised to see this text below;

"4C.2a No elected member of the House of
Commons, European Parliament, Scottish
Parliament, Welsh Assembly or a member
of the House of Lords shall be eligible to
stand in Divisions I, II, III, or IV of the NEC.
Any member of Divisions I, II, III or IV shall
cease to be a member of the NEC if they
are elected to the House of Commons,
European Parliament, Scottish Parliament,"

Isn't Keith Vaz MP in Division II (socialist and co-operative societies)? Does anyone know if there was some dispensation in the rules that allowed Keith to take this NEC position while remaining an MP?

John Wiseman

St Helens South and Whiston

Membership No L0023586

Other than myself I urge support for the grassroots alliance candidates

Thanks

John Wiseman

I have had quite a few helpful "words in my ear" recently from people close to the great and the good wondering where I was going with this post on the future of the NEC.

You might know I have started the beginnings of a Labour wiki. I have just done a draft of a page on the NEC and it occurs to me that things are a little imbalanced.

According to the radio, Labour Party General Secretary Peter Watt has resigned. The NEC will be meeting to consider his replacement.