The party’s ruling National Executive Committee has effectively agreed to an extension of the consultation on the Refounding Labour programme for reform following a backlash against proposals, such as a change in the balance of voting powers at the party’s annual conference.
It means that, unless there is a spectacular change at a special pre-conference NEC meeting in Liverpool, Labour leader Ed Miliband will be forced to defer plans to reduce the unions’ 50 per cent share of the vote at the annual conference in favour of a review which will report in the spring.
The Labour leader will, however, strongly reiterate his desire to see more people drawn into the party’s decision-making process in a new “registered supporters” category.
In his keynote speech to conference on Tuesday, Mr Miliband will stress his faith in the union-Labour link, but issue what is expected to be a passionate call for changes that would “breathe life” into the party and the three million trade union political levy payers.
The moves follow weeks of behind-the-scenes wrangling over the results of the Refounding Labour consultation process which showed very few members wanting a reduction in the weight of trade union votes and demands to curtail the rights of registered supporters to vote in leadership and deputy leadership elections.
In the past few weeks, Mr Miliband has been faced with a deputation of MPs from the trade union group of backbenchers warning that a reduction in the union strength would amount to a damaging shift in the party balance of power.
Members of the NEC reflected the overwhelming umber of submissions to the Refounding Labour consultation by ruling out registered supporters’ votes for the party leader, although a final decision will not be taken until the Saturday before conference opens.
Mr Miliband is expected to make the most of a change in the constitution under which a new proposed addition to Clause I reads: “The party shall bring together members and supporters who share its values to develop policies, make communities stronger through collective action and support and promote the election of Labour representatives at all levels of the democratic process.”
Precisely how this is to work has yet to be set out but the emphasis will be at local level. NEC member Ann Black said: “Constituencies do not want new rights for outside organisations at conference because their delegates already feel crowded out by shadow ministers, platform speakers, presentations and videos.”
A row is expected over proposals to grant increased leadership power over the running of the party, with emergency motions on the riots and housing and a proposal to offer £1 a year membership to members of the armed services.
