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Labour leadership: Watson urges changes to election rules Labour leadership: Watson urges changes to election rules
(about 5 hours later)
Tom Watson has called for Labour's leadership election rules to be changed to exclude registered supporters who pay a one-off fee to vote.Tom Watson has called for Labour's leadership election rules to be changed to exclude registered supporters who pay a one-off fee to vote.
Labour's deputy leader described their participation as "unpopular" and suggested a return to a franchise of party members, trade unionists and MPs.Labour's deputy leader described their participation as "unpopular" and suggested a return to a franchise of party members, trade unionists and MPs.
He made his proposal before a meeting of Labour's executive committee (NEC).
The NEC is also considering the possible reintroduction of elections to the shadow cabinet.
In last year's contest, 84% of the 105,598 registered supporters who paid £3 to vote backed Jeremy Corbyn.In last year's contest, 84% of the 105,598 registered supporters who paid £3 to vote backed Jeremy Corbyn.
This time around, they were asked to pay £25 to take part.This time around, they were asked to pay £25 to take part.
Despite the increased fee, 129,000 people are thought to have applied successfully for a one-off vote in the contest between Mr Corbyn and his challenger Owen Smith - the result of which will be announced on Saturday.Despite the increased fee, 129,000 people are thought to have applied successfully for a one-off vote in the contest between Mr Corbyn and his challenger Owen Smith - the result of which will be announced on Saturday.
Labour's ruling body will discuss changes to the party's leadership rules as well as the reintroduction of elections to the shadow cabinet at a meeting later.
It comes as Mr Corbyn, who is the strong favourite to be re-elected, has ordered Labour to put its party machine on an election footing in case of a snap election.
Registered supporters were given a say in the choice of leader as a result of changes brought in by Ed Miliband, and approved by the party in 2013, designed to open up the process to a wider audience.Registered supporters were given a say in the choice of leader as a result of changes brought in by Ed Miliband, and approved by the party in 2013, designed to open up the process to a wider audience.
'Rushed''Rushed'
Critics have said it allowed the leadership election to be hijacked by far-left groups with their own agenda - although Mr Corbyn easily won the most support among all groups - including party members, trade unionists and other affiliated supporters.Critics have said it allowed the leadership election to be hijacked by far-left groups with their own agenda - although Mr Corbyn easily won the most support among all groups - including party members, trade unionists and other affiliated supporters.
Mr Watson, who himself was elected deputy leader last year using the same franchise, said the reforms had been "rushed" and "unpopular".Mr Watson, who himself was elected deputy leader last year using the same franchise, said the reforms had been "rushed" and "unpopular".
He suggested a return to the previous system used to elect Mr Miliband and his predecessors - in which voting was limited to an electoral college of party members, trade unionists, affiliate supporters and elected representatives of the party.He suggested a return to the previous system used to elect Mr Miliband and his predecessors - in which voting was limited to an electoral college of party members, trade unionists, affiliate supporters and elected representatives of the party.
"We created a new category of member - a registered supporter - that was pretty unpopular in all sections. We want to remove that and we want also want to enfranchise ordinary trade unionists in the process," he said."We created a new category of member - a registered supporter - that was pretty unpopular in all sections. We want to remove that and we want also want to enfranchise ordinary trade unionists in the process," he said.
Mr Watson said he did not want the changes to be seen as a threat to Mr Corbyn and suggested they would only apply after he stood down, whenever that may be.Mr Watson said he did not want the changes to be seen as a threat to Mr Corbyn and suggested they would only apply after he stood down, whenever that may be.
But the BBC's assistant political editor Norman Smith said the move would be seen as an attempt to make it much harder for a left winger like Mr Corbyn to be elected.But the BBC's assistant political editor Norman Smith said the move would be seen as an attempt to make it much harder for a left winger like Mr Corbyn to be elected.
At Tuesday's NEC meeting, Labour officials will also consider plans - backed by Mr Watson - to reinstate elections to the shadow cabinet scrapped in 2011 - in favour of the leader picking his top team. Arriving at the NEC meeting in central London, veteran Labour MP Dennis Skinner accused the media of "trying to get rid of" Mr Corbyn.
The committee will also consider plans - backed by Mr Watson - to reinstate elections to the shadow cabinet scrapped in 2011 - in favour of the leader picking his top team.
Mr Watson said this proposal, if agreed by the NEC, could allow Labour to "put the band back together" in time for a possible early election.
Many MPs see elections as a way of constraining Mr Corbyn, should he be re-elected, and ensuring a balance of opinion at Labour's top table.Many MPs see elections as a way of constraining Mr Corbyn, should he be re-elected, and ensuring a balance of opinion at Labour's top table.
Supporters of Mr Corbyn say any plan have called for party members and activists to also have a say in any elections.Supporters of Mr Corbyn say any plan have called for party members and activists to also have a say in any elections.
The Labour leader has said there is a "thirst for democracy" in the party and he backs a "widening of the franchise" although it is thought he will not put forward a rival plan at Tuesday's meeting - instead calling for a review after next week's party conference.The Labour leader has said there is a "thirst for democracy" in the party and he backs a "widening of the franchise" although it is thought he will not put forward a rival plan at Tuesday's meeting - instead calling for a review after next week's party conference.