Momentum and other organisations in the Centre-Left Grassroots Alliance have today announced unified slates for internal elections in the Labour Party this year. Following a Starmer-backed rule change to move away from one-member one-vote (OMOV) elections as part of a wider attack on member democracy, Labour Conference 2023 will be the body to decide on crucial elections, or Labour Women’s Conference for the Women’s Committee.

For Conference Arrangements Committee (CAC), where there are two CLP representatives alongside trade union representatives, Momentum and the CLGA organisations are backing Chris Saltmarsh, co-founder and national organiser of the Labour for a Green New Deal group, which has seen several motions ruled out of order in an attempt by Starmer backers to block bold policies like public ownership from being heard; and Jean Crocker, a feminist and trade union activist who has served  on Labour Women’s Conference Arrangements Committee for five years. The CAC determines the agenda of Party Conference and what motions are admissible.

Elections will also be held for Labour’s National Constitutional Committee, the Party’s disciplinary body which oversees appeals. The Starmer leadership has faced accusations of authoritarianism after embarking on a sustained spree of proscriptions and suspensions aimed at forcing out the left, including an ‘Orwellian’ proscription rule which sees members auto-expelled if deemed to have in any way supported a proscribed organisation, even if the offence took place before the group was proscribed.  Momentum and the CLGA Organisations are backing Harry Stratton, Dave Levy, Marion Roberts and Jabran Hussain.

Labour Women’s Conference 2023, taking place the day before Party Conference on Saturday 7th October, will elect a National Women’s Committee to lead within Labour on the empowerment of women members and the strengthening of women’s voices within the Party. The unified left slate consists of Chloe Hopkins, Helen Smith, Cecile Wright, Claudia Boes, Zoe Allan and Juliet Miller. More details here.

Following controversies in recent years, Momentum has adopted an equalities statement which ensures that the organisation’s endorsements align with a commitment to representation, equality and diversity, including on the issue of trans rights – all candidates have been endorsed by Momentum in line with this statement.

CLPs have until 12 noon, Friday 23rd June 2023 to elect delegates, and nominate for all three committees. Labour has confirmed that delegates for the 2023 Conference will be elected under current boundaries. 

Sasha Das Gupta, Vice-Chair of Momentum, said: “I am delighted that Momentum and other CLGA organisations have reached unanimous agreement on unified slates for this year’s internal Labour Party elections, following collegiate and constructive dialogue across the Labour Left. Our candidates will stand up for member democracy and the empowerment of women and socialist feminist politics within Labour. Given current trends, these causes are more important than ever.”

See Momentum’s webpage with full details.

Statement by CLGA-backed Women’s Committee Candidates

CENTRE-LEFT GRASSROOTS ALLIANCE WOMEN for the Labour Women’s Committee Candidates supported by the Centre-left Grassroots Alliance stand for a transformative Labour Government; socialist, feminist, and anti-racist policies; and a democratic Labour Party including an active, inclusive Labour Women’s Organisation.

DEFEND OUR LABOUR WOMEN’S ORGANISATON

To develop policies that will inspire women voters, Labour must listen to women members and trade unionists. We support a stand-alone, two-day, policy-making Labour Women’s Conference. Labour Women’s Committee needs more support to play its key role in empowering a democratic, campaigning women’s organisation at local, regional and national levels; supporting Women’s Officers and Women’s Branches to be vibrant and indispensable parts of our local organisation.

CHALLENGING INEQUALITY

The Tories prioritise protecting profits over improving lives. Over the past 13 years we have seen a rise in violence against women; women working for decreasing pay, with many relying on food banks, unable to heat their homes; increasing numbers of disabled women unsupported to live their lives.

We will challenge inequalities – intensified by the cost of living crisis, under-funding of public services, government handling of the pandemic and increased military spending. We will support reproductive choice, equality in health provision and affordable, accessible childcare provision. Ongoing austerity has a disproportionate impact on Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic, disabled, and young women and lone parents. We will work with trade unions and community campaigns to address these issues.

FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS

We support a Green New Deal and public ownership. Labour must invest in renewable energy, challenge big polluters and work towards a just transition to a net zero carbon economy. We support an ethical foreign policy with peace, conflict resolution and nuclear disarmament at its core. Labour must support women struggling against oppression across the globe.

FOR LIBERATION AND SOCIAL JUSTICE

Labour must be a force for equality, intersectionality and working class unity. As trade unionists we stand with women workers taking industrial action to improve pay and conditions; we support the demands of Black Lives Matter for lasting structural change and stand against vilification of and attacks on asylum seekers. We fight all forms of racism including antisemitism, Islamophobia and Afriphobia and the scapegoating of migrant and Traveller communities. We must challenge discrimination and prejudice, including tackling sexism, sexual harassment, homophobia, biphobia, transphobia and ableism. 

We fight for inclusive self- organised Labour Party equality structures; defend all- women shortlists at all levels and support legislation to extend their use, including for other under-represented groups.

FOR PARTY DEMOCRACY

We support a democratic, member-led Labour Party that includes members being able to select the candidates of their choice and a strong trade union link. We will fight for natural justice, transparency, accountability, and fairness in internal processes, and against unjust suspensions and disciplinary action, and restrictions on legitimate debate. We stand for an accessible Labour Party, where sexual harassment is comprehensively challenged and addressed.

We need Labour in power across local, regional and national governments implementing policies that will support women and transform lives . Labour needs to take the fight to our political opponents and advocate an economy for the many not the few. Rejection of Tory austerity was at the heart of the 2017 and 2019 manifestos and provides the basis of a programme for recovery.

History shows that electing a Labour government needs women’s support. Together we will work for a strong Labour women’s organisation – to realise our aspirations and send the vital message that the Labour Party is there for women.

The cause of women is the cause of Labour.

Image: Momentum banner. Source: Momentum at the Stop Trump Rally. Author: Garry Knight, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.