The Campaign for Labour Party Democracy has produced a new briefing, Labour activists – for the many, not the few. Subtitled How Labour Party activists can organise in their CLP in pursuit of a radical agenda, it explores in detail how grassroots activists can still make a real difference, despite the constraints imposed on members by the authoritarian regime currently operating in the Party.

The opportunities range from pursuing popular radical policies in local government – buttressed by the election of a sizeable cohort of socialist councillors last May – to organising programmes of education for new members, including on how the Party works and how it can be changed it from within.

“With picket lines springing up across a range of workplaces, it has rarely been easier to forge links between local unions and CLPs,” suggests Mike Phipps in the briefing’s Introduction.

George Binette, Hackney North & Stoke Newington CLP Trade Union Liaison Officer, agrees, saying the CLP should become “the first port of call for solidarity with workers in struggle.”

Referring to the experience in Hackney, east London, he goes on: “There are regular union updates in the CLP’s monthly e-newsletter and since October I’ve introduced a weekly email to dozens of members, highlighting upcoming strikes and ballots. In addition, the Hackney Gazette now carries a monthly column from me as TULO. Our CLP banner regularly features on picket lines and union-initiated rallies. RMT and UNISON speakers have addressed local branch meetings.”

Carmen Williams, Mid-Bedfordshire CLP Women’s Officer, concurs. She describes the role as “a great springboard for opportunities to get actively involved on various fronts and an opportunity to maintain a left-leaning agenda not only in our Women’s Group activities but also in full CLP meetings. We have passed excellent motions in support of industrial disputes. Women members have played an important role organising trips to picket lines where our CLP banner has proudly supported local Royal Mail workers and RMT members on strike.”

Political education is another fertile area of activity. Mark Perryman, Political Education Officer, Lewes CLP, explains the thinking behind the  Lewes Labour festival of ideas events which began in 2018. “Building Blocs: A day of ideas to dismantle the Blue Wall was our latest,” he says. ”It was modelled on a literary festival style, showcasing thinking and debate, to enable us all to learn through difference and dialogue.”

Barry Rodin, Disability Officer, Orpington CLP, looks at how the role can be used to encourage greater engagement among disabled members in the Party.

At a time when many members feel disaffected as a consequence of both the timid policies and the repressive internal regime pursued by the leadership, it’s worth remembering that the conditions that produced the Corbyn surge have not gone away and that millions of people are looking for an alternative. Members should take the approach that they can proceed to organise until stopped, rather than assuming they can’t do anything.

You can download the briefing here as a PDF and here as MS Word.