Peter Kenyon

Labour Party PPC selections: time for urgent reform?

Two women MPs standing down today as a result of the MPs expenses scandal provides a timely reminder to us activists that it could mean even fewer women MPs in the next Parliament.

Labour has by far and away the best record of the mainstream political parties on seeking to get more women elected to the House of Commons. (Footnote to 50+% of the electorate - which party is on your side?). There have recently been some very difficult to explain decisions on the part of the National Executive Committee's Organisation sub-committee allowing open selections in winnable seats, rather than insisting on all-women shortlists. (The Tory MP Julie Kirkbride's case threw up some questions about childcare and MPs expenses, which shouldn't be lost sight of either.)

But my main concern and that of my colleagues in Save the Labour Party is that of the perception that favoured candidates able to lavish unlimited expenses to win votes can be parachuted into winnable seats by a party machine. This did not prove to be the case in Erith and Thamesmead, but the reputational damage to Labour was done by weeks of media speculation some unfounded about the candidacy of Georgia Gould, in particular.

Should the Party stagger on relying on its present rules faced with the possibility, if GMB general secretary, Paul Kenny's estimate of another 50 MPs standing down? Or is it time for an urgent review? I'd like to hear you views.

Wanted: Labour Party members willing to speak out

Today there was a refreshing diversity of Labour Party members interviewed on national media putting across positive Labour messages. Check out the Today programme, World at One, the BBC News Channel and BBC 5 Live. We need more PPCs, local councilllors and party activists willing to go on the airwaves to get our message across - vote Labour.

Hot tip - check with the Labour Party Press Office first.

Labour Party statement: NEC endorsements panel

This is the statement being reported by broadcast media following the first meeting of the NEC endorsement panel.

 A Labour Party spokesperson said:

"The Labour Party's special NEC  endorsements panel had its first meeting today to consider all cases currently referred to it and whether to recommend rescinding endorsements to stand for election as Labour Party candidates. The panel is currently in the process of gathering evidence from all parties concerned in these cases and the Labour Party will make a further announcement when it has come to its conclusions. All members of the panel agreed on the need for rapid and urgent action to reassure the public and Labour Party members, but the panel is also clear that all its investigations must be conducted in a fair and equitable manner in accordance with Labour Party rules. "

In the light of this, I hope that is the last we have heard of the 'Star Chamber' description. Though it raises other questions by omission, as set out on my Labour MemberNet blog, Saving the Labour Party.

Labour's future: power, party or pals?

It's tough at the top. This is an occasion when the prospect of Gordon Brown and the Labour Party retaining power has to be weighed on the opposite side of the scales to tribalism, ideology and pals.

Reviewing the events of Gordon Brown's premiership, there are his expressions of vision. And there are the realities. Extending and Renewing party democracy announced the day he was named Leader. But up pops the machine and forces through more central control. The Governance of Britain promised constitutional reform. But up popped the naysays to restrain progress. So today with Cameron out on the front foot again,  could sleaze finally liberate Gordon?  Will that moral compass point in the right direction and courage prevail? Is it the end for MPs that resisted reform of expenses, New Labour mantras and his 'pals' in government that have disgraced the Labour Party with their wanton greed?

Rewards for 'retiring' MPs - case for immediate review?

While MPs Parliamentary allowances are being radically reformed, their pension arrangements and allowances for stepping down from Parliament are coming under increased scrutiny.
Today's Mirror newspaper claims an exclusive here exposing £100K payouts. Given the depth of public anger about MPs' remuneration, shouldn't their pension and 'retirement' perks also be put on hold pending changes to avoid rewards for failure?

Labour government reshuffle - what's the holdup?

Scanning news headlines the media consensus presumes a reshuffle is on the way after the 4 June elections. I am struggling to find any conceivable reason for Gordon Brown to wait a day longer. He is the Prime Minister. He decides who is in and who is out. Unlike the Labour Party National Executive Committee, he doesn't have to wait for due process to decide who is a fit and proper person to serve in Her Majesty's Government. Or does he?

He has succeeded in driving through reform of MPs expenses, secured cross-party support from a review of previous claims and taken control of the allowances system out of the hands of MPs themselves. The Labour Party NEC has agreed measures to establish a new code of ethics for Labour Party candidates, discipline offenders and ensure working with its local members that its candidates at the next election are fit and proper persons. A major reshuffle/purge ahead of the European Parliamentary elections is needed. Though care will have to be taken to ensure Cabinet ministers with a case to answer are out, and everyone retained and promoted is beyond reproach.

As a member of Labour's NEC, I have received a lot of angry emails and comments on my blogs about apparent anomalies in the treatment of different ministers, as well as between ministers and backbenchers. Some of this upset can be accounted for by shock about what has been going on in Westminster. Some can't, perceptions of scapegoating can't be easily brushed aside.

I would be very interested to hear from anyone who thinks they know of strong evidence of an anomaly, which I could add to a case I have already referred to the powers that be. Once reviewed and explained we need to be open about the reasons why apparently similar cases are being dealt with differently. Otherwise, there is no way in which party members' confidence in the NEC and the Party Leader/PM is going to be restored, let alone that of the electorate in Labour's competence to govern.

As for a 'national plan' aired here. Oh, deary me. I'm very fearful of any plan telling us all what's good for us, without any debate. But, if the national plan was to open debate on fair pay, taxation and ending poverty, the proper role of the private sector, together with constitutional reform, that would be a different matter. It might save the Labour Party.

Cameron laid bare

An image for the era? If there is a prize for the cartoon worth more than a thousand words, this must be a strong contender.

But was it drawn before the duck-pond story quacked broke?

Labour Party: GS to members

EMail to Labour Party members from General Secretary, Ray Collins following Tuesday's National Executive Committee meeting:

Thank you for all your work as you prepare for the Local and European Elections in June; our local officers, volunteers and activists are the backbone of our Party organisation and we are very grateful for your efforts, commitment and dedication to the Party.

These were always going to be a tough set of elections.  They are made all the more challenging by the current global financial crisis and the recent issues surrounding MPs’ expenses.

We know that people are angry about MPs’ expenses.  Whatever party you belong to, MPs should never have spent taxpayers’ money on clearing their moats or swimming pools, or paying phantom mortgages – and its even worse at a time when ordinary families are worried about the impact of the recession.  That’s why the Party’s National Executive Committee has joined with Gordon Brown in making our determination to act and unanimously endorsed a tough new disciplinary process that can bar MPs found to have flouted the rules from standing as Labour candidates at the next election. 

• A new NEC panel, comprising constituency, local government and affiliated representatives, has been established that has the power to rescind endorsement from any Labour MP or PPC.

• Views from our CLPs are welcome, involving Party members in our discussions, as is your right under the rules, is important to the NEC. In particular it has been agreed that should your MP or PPC be interviewed by this new panel the views of the CLP will be sought.

• In addition, should the cross-party Members Committee on Allowances, who are due to hold an independent review and reassessment of all expenses claims in the past four years, fail to come to a swift decision, the Party will establish its own independent panel, supported by external auditors, to review claims against the principles set by Parliament. The General Secretary and the Chief Whip will then refer any cases to the new NEC panel.

• For the future it was agreed to amend the candidate’s declaration to make explicit the Party’s expectations of personal integrity and financial probity from all Labour candidates for parliament.

We are united in our intention to put right any wrong-doing, and sanction those who have broken rules or brought the Party into disrepute.

The comprehensive action taken by the NEC and Gordon Brown to deal with the past, present and future will lead to a complete clean-up of the system and fundamental change.

Now more than ever families in our communities need our help through this recession. And Labour is the Party that will stand by families - not walk on by as the Tories did in the 1990s. The Conservatives left families to sink or swim in the last recession and they would do the same again now - cutting public services at the worst possible time. 

Labour believes that you cannot cut your way out of a recession – we need to grow our way out of it.  So, we are giving real support to all - not tax cuts for the few. We are bringing forward job creatin g investment when it is needed most - not cutting services in the middle of a recession.

Three million jobs in Britain are linked to our trade with Europe – and more trade abroad means more jobs at home. The Tories prefer isolation in Europe – even at the cost of jobs in Britain. Labour’s working locally, nationally and in Europe to tackle the recession – protecting jobs and homes in this community.

The work you will do in the coming weeks will therefore be crucial as we set out the choice for voters on 4 June: the choice between a Labour plan to grow Britain out of recession with help for families and businesses; or the Tory route – help for the wealthiest and cuts to public services at the worst possible time.

Together we can fight back against this international recession. Together we can build a stronger, fairer Britain. And together we can rebuild trust in politics.

Best wishes and many thanks,

Ray Collins

Many Labour MPs to face suspension? - Brown

Labour PM Gordon Brown was on the sofa on GMTV this morning http://www.gm.tv/index.cfm?articleid=34794

Unless my hearing is deceiving me he anticipates that many Labour MPs could face suspension. Brown said:

.....There are many cases where people will be suspended, where people will have to stand down at the next election and no longer be candidates for the Labour Party....

 

Labour Party: NEC statement on MPs expenses

This is the Statement released to the media following the meeting. If you have any queries or comments, please let me know.

Press release
Tuesday 19 May 2009
For immediate use

Labour Party National Executive Committee: Statement on MPs' expenses

Cath Speight, Chair of the Labour Party's National Executive  Committee, and Ray Collins, General Secretary of the Labour Party,
said:

"The Labour Party's National Executive Committee fully supports the  action that Gordon Brown is taking on expenses, and has today  unanimously endorsed a tough new disciplinary process that can bar  MPs found to have flouted the rules from standing as Labour  candidates at the next election.

"The NEC has agreed today that a panel of NEC members will be  established to interview any Labour MPs where there appears to be  evidence against them. The panel will have the power to recommend to  the NEC that MPs are not allowed to stand as Labour candidates at the  next General Election.

"Labour Party members expect the highest standards from Labour  representatives and the NEC resolved today that any allegations must  be fully investigated, and when appropriate by the proper independent  authorities.

"The Prime Minister and the Labour Party Chair, Harriet Harman, have  already requested that the Committee on Members Allowances lead an  independent investigation of all expenses claims in the last four  years. If the Committee on Members Allowances does not investigate  then the Labour Party will launch its own investigation, supported by  a leading independent lawyer and accountants, to review all expenses  claimed by Labour MPs in the last four years. Any cases of wrongdoing  identified in this process will be referred to the NEC's panel."

Gordon Brown, Prime Minister and Leader of the Labour Party, said:

"I demand the very highest standards from Labour Members of  Parliament.  They came into politics to serve the public not  themselves. But where there has been wrongdoing on expenses we owe it  to the British people to take action.

"The current expenses regime must be reformed, and individual MPs  must account for their expenses. Already, we have toughened the rules  to ensure MPs must submit receipts to account for all their claims  and any MPs with second jobs must declare them properly. I have asked  for systematic independent scrutiny of every single expenses claim  made in the last four years - with the power to decide what should be  paid back.

"But I am committed to a complete clean up of the system so the work  that MPs do to improve the lives of their constituents is not  overshadowed by those who have broken the rules. Wherever immediate  disciplinary action is required we will take it - including barring  sitting MPs from re-standing as Labour candidates if necessary."

Ends