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.

In this wide-ranging interview to Compass Youth, Mark McDonald discusses why he feels there is a need for a new Treasurer of the Labour Party.

Contender for Labour Party Treasurer, Mark McDonald, has written this article on the Guardian's commentisfree site explaining why the party needs to raise it's game.

Please do take a look. From the comments, it seems to have attracted the attention of some people whose values are so twisted that they're considering voting Tory because Labour hasn't been left wing enough!

All CLPs and national affilated organisations have now been sent their NEC nomination forms, which include the position of Treasurer of the Labour Party. The editorial team at Labourhome.org is backing one of our own, Mark McDonald, a human rights barrister and former NUPE shop steward.

We're not just backing Mark to win, we need him to take a powerful mandate to the NEC to enable him to raise the bar on the party's compliance with its financial obligations.

So we're asking you, today, to email your CLP secretary, and your unions and affiliates, to ask them to nominate Mark for this position.

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!

Readers may be aware that I am seeking nominations from CLPs, unions and affiliates for the position of Labour Party treasurer.

A correspondent on a previous Labourhome article suggested I post some details of my experience, so I have drawn together those details below. Please do get in touch if you are willing to support my candidacy or if you would like to ask me any further questions.

 

Many thanks,

 

Mark McDonald
markpaul.mcdonald@gmail.com
A703973

Labourhome.org Editor Alex Hilton in December challenged the grassroots to find a candidate for the role of Treasurer of the Labour Party and I have decided to respond to that challenge. I believe that there is a need for change; not just a change in the position itself but a new approach to governance and accountability in the Labour Party.

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.