Educate, nominate, organise

For two years running, Party members have refused to endorse the leadership's preferred candidates to represent them in the constituency section of the National Executive (NEC). Members who had hoped for real social change after May 1997 elected Ken Livingstone over Peter Mandelson. In the 1998 elections - the Centre Left Grassroots Alliance (GA) won the debate and four out of six seats - against interference from the Party machine and untold spending from the shady "Members First" cartel.

With voting this successful, the left can expect it to be abolished, as it has in most other areas of Party life. However, nominations are now open and last year's successful candidates are now preparing to be accountable to the membership for their performance on the NEC to date.

In only two NEC meetings, constituency representatives supported by the GA (Liz Davies, Cathy Jamieson, Mark Seddon, Pete Willsman) have resisted the leadership's welcome (a gagging order on any public comment) by keeping their promise to circulate a full report to constituency parties. They have opposed bombing of Iraq and gratuitous witch-hunts of dissenting Party members. Liz Davies has led demands for an inquiry into business sponsorship of the Party. Christine Shawcroft (GA candidate last year) has led calls for London party members to choose our candidate for Mayor.

The Party members the GA supported in 1998 have continued to speak out for Party members and as we go to press, the GA is drawing up a list of candidates for 1999. Every CLP can make one nomination by the closing date of April 9th. It is up to LLB readers to ensure that the arguments for nominating one of the GA candidates are heard in their constituencies, so that Party members again have credible candidates to vote for in the summer's membership ballot.

For further information, including supplies of leaflets and CVs - and especially details of this year's slate please ring the LLB office on 0181-985 6597.

April 9th is also the closing date for nominating delegates to Party Conference and for nominations to the National Constitutional Committee, Conference Arrangements Committee and the National Policy Forum.

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