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Reforms to give Scottish Labour more autonomy are approved | |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Scottish Labour is to get more power and autonomy after reforms were approved by the party's UK conference. | |
The Scottish party will be able to set policy in all areas, including reserved matters, and appoint a member to the UK-wide National Executive Committee. | |
Leader Kezia Dugdale has said she will take up the NEC position herself. | |
There had been calls for the seat to be elected by Scottish members, with allies of Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn trying to have the reforms altered. | |
But Mr Corbyn had told BBC Scotland he was happy for the full package to be approved. | |
A fresh attempt to delay the plans was defeated at the Labour conference in Liverpool on Tuesday morning. | A fresh attempt to delay the plans was defeated at the Labour conference in Liverpool on Tuesday morning. |
Allies of Mr Corbyn feared allowing Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale and her Welsh counterpart to appoint a representative to the NEC would water down Mr Corbyn's influence over the party's ruling body. | |
A vote was later held on the changes, which Ms Dugdale said would make Scottish Labour "fully autonomous". | |
Ms Dugdale immediately announced she would take a place on the NEC, with the first meeting due to take place on Tuesday evening. | |
Ms Dugdale said: "It is right that as devolution strengthens across the UK that Scottish Labour changes to reflect that - that means Scottish Labour having a seat on the party's rule making body, the NEC. | |
"Given the vital importance of this role, I will join the NEC. I will be a loud and passionate voice for Scotland's interests within our UK wide Labour family. This is a key moment in the history of our party, and our movement." | |
The reforms mean that: | |
It followed Mr Corbyn telling BBC Scotland on Monday that he would be "very happy" for Ms Dugdale to be able to appoint a representative to the NEC. | It followed Mr Corbyn telling BBC Scotland on Monday that he would be "very happy" for Ms Dugdale to be able to appoint a representative to the NEC. |
He added: "I work very well with Kezia. We have campaigned together. We have had a good conversation this week and we'll continue to do that. | He added: "I work very well with Kezia. We have campaigned together. We have had a good conversation this week and we'll continue to do that. |
"What I have said is there has to be a Scottish member of the National Executive and for that matter a Welsh member. | "What I have said is there has to be a Scottish member of the National Executive and for that matter a Welsh member. |
"The method of decision-making on that is what the discussion was about. We will come to that conclusion, and there will be a Scottish member of the National Executive." | "The method of decision-making on that is what the discussion was about. We will come to that conclusion, and there will be a Scottish member of the National Executive." |
Ms Dugdale had been a high-profile backer of Owen Smith's leadership bid ahead of Mr Corbyn being re-elected as Labour leader on Saturday. | Ms Dugdale had been a high-profile backer of Owen Smith's leadership bid ahead of Mr Corbyn being re-elected as Labour leader on Saturday. |
When asked whether he believed Labour could win an election in Scotland, Mr Corbyn responded: "We can win a lot of support in Scotland", before saying that the Scottish party was "in good heart" after an increase in its membership and three council by-election wins. | When asked whether he believed Labour could win an election in Scotland, Mr Corbyn responded: "We can win a lot of support in Scotland", before saying that the Scottish party was "in good heart" after an increase in its membership and three council by-election wins. |
She has previously said the changes put Scottish Labour "on track to become fully autonomous within the UK Labour Party". | She has previously said the changes put Scottish Labour "on track to become fully autonomous within the UK Labour Party". |