by Chris McLaughlin

Gordon Brown is to preside over the final transformation of Labour’s annual conference into a United States-style rally under new proposals to revamp the event. Party officers have put forward a blueprint – accepted in principle by the party’s National Executive Committee – to ensure the conference will “build to a crescendo, climaxing with the leader”.

The new arrangements will bring forward the start of conference from Sunday to Saturday afternoon and move the traditional party leader’s speech from Tuesday afternoon to the final act at the end of the event, which will be changed from Thursday lunchtime to Wednesday afternoon.

Plans to put the changes into effect for this year’s Manchester conference emerged only a week after officers issued advice to members to book hotels from Sunday 21 September to Thursday 25 September.

The proposals provoked a heated debate at last week’s meeting of the NEC with members complaining of a lack of consultation being told that confidentiality was essential. “The atmosphere was not helped by the fact that some members knew about the plans in advance, while for others it was a complete surprise,” said Grassroots Alliance member Ann Black, one of four who voted against the plan.

In the latest of her regular email reports on NEC proceedings Ms Black said officers argued that in recent years interest has gone downhill after the leader’s speech, with the hall half-empty by Thursday.

“Instead the week would build to a crescendo, climaxing with the leader and the launch of the ballot on the manifesto, said Ms Black. “ Some members asked for an analysis of why attendance has declined. Was it the cost, or a perceived loss of a role?”

Officers argued that more people could attend because they would need only three days off work and that more students and young members would be able to attend.

Constituency section member Peter Wheeler raised concerns, but voted in favour of the change on the grounds that it would create more conference time, with nine rather than eight sessions.

The party faces a backlash from members and local parties who have already made travel arrangements and hotel bookings for the original dates. Accommodation is likely to be more difficult to find on the additional Saturday night as hotels usually are heavily booked with weekend customers.
As Tribune went to press the party’s website was still advising delegates and visitors to book on the original dates.

• Interviews for the party’s new general secretary will take place on March 10 following the closing date for applications last Monday (February 4).