30/01/2014

Labour Party Executive To Consider Leadership System Change

The Labour Party's national executive committee are expected to consider the proposed reforms to party's leadership elections this weekend.

The party is understood to be considering adopting the one member, one vote system, which would see its 200,000 members have one vote each in elections to select a new leader.

Trade unions however have protested the proposed reforms. The unions make up one third of votes under the current system.

The changes would lessen the influence the unions have on the labour party, a move initially proposed by Ed Miliband in light of the Falkirk candidate selection scandal.

According to reports, some senior Labour figures have raised concerns that implementing the change would result in the unions gaining more control.

The concern comes from the role of associate members of the party.

Associate members pay £3 per year for membership of the party, and would also be entitled to a single vote under the new system.

It is feared that union leaders could register large numbers of associate members and influence votes through them.

(MH/CD)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

23 June 2003
Disarray in UUP as three MPs resign party whip
The resignation of three of the Ulster Unionist Party's MPs from the parliamentary whip earlier today was quickly follows by calls for party leader David Trimble to change party policy or resign.
15 June 2005
Tory MPs to vote on leadership election changes
Conservatives MPs are due to vote tonight on how the leader of the party should be elected.
31 January 2014
Vote Of No Confidence Cast Against Brighton's Green Party
The administration of Brighton's Green Party has received a vote of no confidence in the wake of its proposals to increase council tax. The party have proposed a 4.75% rise in council tax, pending a successful referendum. The party say that the increase would be used to fund adult social care services.
07 August 2009
Miliband Wants US Style Selection
David Miliband, the Cabinet member tipped by some as a future leader of the Labour Party, has said he backs a US-inspired shake-up of how parliamentary candidates are selected. Mr Miliband suggested a system similar to the American primaries could work in the UK. At present, election candidates are chosen by paying party members.
19 June 2009
Blears Avoids MP Deselection
Former cabinet minister Hazel Blears has won her fight to remain the Labour party's candidate in her home constituency at the next general election. Ms Blears avoided deselection by her party's Salford officials, despite members circulating a motion of no confidence in the former Communities Secretary.