We, the little people.... Are the days of utter contempt for rules about to come to an end? Imagine my delight this morning when the precise reference to the Labour Party rules concerning Leader/Deputy nomination procedures was cited on BBC Radio 4's Today programme news headlines at 8 am this morning. The subject is expected to be discussed at tomorrow's Labour Party National Executive Committee according to the BBC report. I had better make sure my correspondence with Ray Collins the new General Secretary elect is widely circulated. Party officials claim to have taken legal advice justifying no nominations while Labour is in government. I hope sight of that advice is demanded by all 33 members. Save the Labour Party has suggested expert arbitration by a Labour Party member with unimpeachable constitutional expertise, in the absence of any wish to resort to expensive lawyers whose political sympathies could be suspect, or an internally appointed Ombudsman to rule on such matters, as proposed by the LabOUR Commission chaired by Angela Eagle MP while still a backbencher.
There is nothing in the Labour Party Rules that sets out different procedures when Labour is in government as opposed to opposition. As for the Guardian's reporter Allegra Stratton who thinks the practice was to send out nomination papers just before conference - I think you are being misinformed. The nomination papers, if I remember correctly, were sent out in the first Conference mailing calling for delegates. These are now despatched just before Christmas for the following Autumn. The expert advice sought by STLP ruled that 4.2.B.iii does not oblige the General Secretary to send out nomination papers to CLPs, affiliates and Labour MEPs, but does provide for them in constitutional terms to e ALLOWED. ie those stakeholders have a RIGHT to nominate. Administratively, the obligation to send out nomination papers to Labour MPs under 4.2.B ii and the obligation to allow under 4.2.B. iii were treated the same - despatch of nomination papers to all stakeholders franchised to take part in nominating Leader/Deputy.
The General Secretary's job description requires the postholder to uphold the constitution. Ray Collins faces a real test of his mettle in this regard.
