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Ann Black is an elected member of the NEC

This is a personal record and not an official minute

 

National Executive Committee, 29 January 2002

 

Tony Blair reiterated Labour’s core messages: economic stability,

investment plus reform in public services, healing social inequalities, and

international engagement. Members must not be diverted by media

feeding frenzies. The notion that buying tables at party events gave

Enron a veto over energy policy was ludicrous, and he quoted General

Secretary David Triesman with approval: “We’ll give back the money if

they give back the dinners.”

 

Mark Seddon’s proposal for state fundingof political parties had little public support, individual subscriptions could not sustain the party, and refusing both union and corporate donations would leave Labour seriously short of campaign funds.

 

NEC members were pleased with the renewed commitment to public

services, emphasising again that doctors, nurses and teachers were

backed by equally essential support staff. Though shortcomings must

be tackled, approval of the National Health Service greatly exceeded

complaints. 

 

The local government white paper was welcomed, but MPs

cited difficulties where councils were blamed for problems with privatised

residential care and benefits systems, and defective maintenance under

Private Finance Initiative deals. Stronger powers were needed to hold

contractors to account. And while public service workers benefited from

real pay rises, local government had to pick up the bill, including national

settlements for teachers as well as deals negotiated with other staff.

 

I argued that the Post Office; though privately run, is similarly seen as a

public service, and the government would be held responsible for any

deterioration. The Prime Minister wanted to work with them on

restructuring, but European liberalisation made their current position

unsustainable. 

 

On manufacturing, he felt that stability was more

important than the strength of sterling, and the reason why Labour

favoured the euro in principle. Members praised his mediation over

Kashmir, and he repeated his pledge to reconciliation and reconstruction

in Afghanistan, and the need to address tensions and conflict in the

Middle East. He was pessimistic about persuading the United States to

stop blockading Cuba.

 

Questions of Democracy

 

On further reform of the House of Lords, Tony Blair said that there was

no consensus behind current government proposals, but no consensus

on the best alternative either. Personally he considered fifteen-year

terms excessive, hybrid membership problematic and gridlock a real risk.

But nothing would be railroaded through, and he favoured full debate

within the party on all the options.

 

Dennis Skinner kicked off by proposing either to get rid of the second chamber entirely, or to elect it but render it impotent by removing most of its powers.

Where this consultation would happen was not clear. The National

Policy Forum thinks long-term, beyond the next election. There is no

obvious space for members to discuss current topics, and question-and-

answer sessions with ministers are not suitable for analysing issues and

formulating responses. Perhaps the policy commissions will come up

with more creative ways to promote dialogue between party and

government.

 

The NEC’s role in policymaking also required clarification. Some

members thought the November meeting should not have considered

resolutions on Afghanistan, because this undermined Conference policy.

But events happen outside Conference timetables, and circumstances

change. David Triesman agreed to bring draft guidelines for appropriate

subjects to a future meeting. It is worth noting that the 2000 Conference

punted electoral reform into the long grass, yet the NEC is now planning

to review proportional representation in the light of Scottish

developments. The same Conference rejected a democratic upper house,

and no-one suggested stifling that debate either.

 

Prudence for a Purpose

 

Treasury Secretary Andrew Smith, gave the pre-budget report. The

pensioner’s credit would benefit those with modest savings, the child tax

credit would integrate existing provisions, and the working tax credit

would supplement low pay for those with or without children. There was

admiration for the grand design, mixed with some concern about

complexity and consequent low take-up. However the timing of the

budget, on 17 April, should boost Labour’s vote in the council elections

two weeks later.

 

Charles Clarke outlined the National Policy Forum programme. Papers

would be considered by the Forum on 8 February, revised by the policy

commissions, approved by the Joint Policy Committee on 28 February

and published in March. Regional and local forums were planned

through the summer. The critical factor would be whether feedback

convinced members that their views can make a difference. Charles was

also building links with the Co-operative Party, aiming to feed co-

operative ideas into policy development instead of just asking them for

money.

 

The Forum process would have to improve against a tight financial

background. As with government, the party faces tough choices.

Members’ subscriptions do not currently cover the cost of providing

services to them, and too much seems to go to Sema, the company which

administers membership. Several people suggested that a Best Value

audit was in order.

 

Committee Corner

 

The NEC agreed principles for choosing European, parliamentary and

local government candidates. Explicit rules would be defined for all

selections, including person specifications, standard CVs, and referees.

 

The goal of a 50/50 gender balance was undiluted, and the next election

should see further moves towards the target. The NEC has the power to

impose all-women shortlists, but hoped to secure voluntary agreement.

Increasing ethnic minority representation was more complicated, with

variations in population and diverse communities, but again there was

serious commitment to progress. Appeals concerning selections would

be heard by a panel of people not involved in the initial decision, and

selection monitors from other regions would review procedures.

 

Much detailed work is delegated to newly-established task groups.

These cover party development; recruitment; engaging ethnic minorities;

youth and the decline in political and civil culture; and voter turnout.

Constituencies are now unrepresented on the party development

taskforce, which oversees Partnership in Power and 21st Century Party

initiatives. While recommendations will come back to the NEC, there is

no clear mechanism for feeding views in at an early stage. However I will

pass on your suggestions for tackling any of the various challenges.

 

 Where most members try to get onto committees, Dennis Skinner tries to

get off. However, after pleas from all sides he was persuaded to join the

Selections Panel, which shortlists candidates for by-elections, perhaps

because no-one would ever accuse Dennis of colluding in stitch-ups.

The Ogmore campaign was in full swing, and delegates to the Cardiff

Spring Conference were invited to assist. Lewisham members had

received a letter explaining why the mayoral ballot was being re-run, and

David Triesman’s gritted teeth bore witness to the sincerity of his

apologies.

Finally, constituency representatives were granted 200 words on the

party website after each meeting, as an extra way of reporting back. The

idea proved popular with other sections also, and David Triesman may

add a General Secretary’s note.

As usual questions and comments are welcome, and I am happy for this

to be circulated to party members on the understanding that it is a

personal account and in no way an official record.

Ann Black

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