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Labour conference: Shadow cabinet deal 'on the cards' Labour conference: Shadow cabinet deal 'on the cards'
(35 minutes later)
A deal paving the way for elections to Labour's shadow cabinet could be done well before the party's proposed review in November, the BBC has been told.A deal paving the way for elections to Labour's shadow cabinet could be done well before the party's proposed review in November, the BBC has been told.
The agreement, which is being brokered by the party's chief whip Rosie Winterton, would involve MPs being permitted to elect only a proportion of shadow cabinet places.The agreement, which is being brokered by the party's chief whip Rosie Winterton, would involve MPs being permitted to elect only a proportion of shadow cabinet places.
Progress had been made and "this will be sorted", one shadow minister said.Progress had been made and "this will be sorted", one shadow minister said.
Reinstating elections has been a key demand of MPs who quit this summer.Reinstating elections has been a key demand of MPs who quit this summer.
Labour has also said a "not insignificant number" of MPs will return to the shadow cabinet next week - in advance of any formal agreement on elections - among them some "surprising names".
At the very start of this week's conference in Liverpool, speaker after speaker at a Labour First rally - filled to the gunnels by those who hadn't voted for Jeremy Corbyn - called for shadow cabinet elections as a way of bringing about unity between the pro and anti-Corbyn factions.At the very start of this week's conference in Liverpool, speaker after speaker at a Labour First rally - filled to the gunnels by those who hadn't voted for Jeremy Corbyn - called for shadow cabinet elections as a way of bringing about unity between the pro and anti-Corbyn factions.
As the conference draws to a close no progress appears to have been made.As the conference draws to a close no progress appears to have been made.
Labour's deputy leader Tom Watson had made the case for MPs to have some say over who sits at the party's top table at a meeting of the ruling NEC last Tuesday.Labour's deputy leader Tom Watson had made the case for MPs to have some say over who sits at the party's top table at a meeting of the ruling NEC last Tuesday.
No agreement was reached but Watson pressed Corbyn to agree to the demand at Saturday's night NEC meeting in Liverpool as a sign that he was willing to compromise but also to settle the issue swiftly so it didn't hang over the conference.No agreement was reached but Watson pressed Corbyn to agree to the demand at Saturday's night NEC meeting in Liverpool as a sign that he was willing to compromise but also to settle the issue swiftly so it didn't hang over the conference.
Instead, and despite the talk of unity, Jeremy Corbyn backed a demand to remove voting rights from NEC representatives appointed by the party's leaders in Scotland and Wales - neither of whom backed his re-election. The attempt failed.Instead, and despite the talk of unity, Jeremy Corbyn backed a demand to remove voting rights from NEC representatives appointed by the party's leaders in Scotland and Wales - neither of whom backed his re-election. The attempt failed.
So why are shadow cabinet elections so controversial?So why are shadow cabinet elections so controversial?
Balance of powerBalance of power
Well, the shadow cabinet appoints three members of Labour's ruling NEC. The fear in the Corbyn camp is that if MPs elect the shadow cabinet they will also choose the three NEC representatives, all of whom wouldn't necessarily back the leader.Well, the shadow cabinet appoints three members of Labour's ruling NEC. The fear in the Corbyn camp is that if MPs elect the shadow cabinet they will also choose the three NEC representatives, all of whom wouldn't necessarily back the leader.
The NEC is particularly important because - as recent failed court challenges to its authority prove - it is regarded as the body which will decide on the rules of any future leadership contest.The NEC is particularly important because - as recent failed court challenges to its authority prove - it is regarded as the body which will decide on the rules of any future leadership contest.
One Corbyn critic confided: "I don't give a stuff about sitting in the shadow cabinet - I do care about the NEC places."One Corbyn critic confided: "I don't give a stuff about sitting in the shadow cabinet - I do care about the NEC places."
The Corbyn camp are well aware of this. But there are suspicions amongst NEC members that the stumbling block to compromise hasn't been Mr Corbyn himself but his shadow chancellor John McDonnell.The Corbyn camp are well aware of this. But there are suspicions amongst NEC members that the stumbling block to compromise hasn't been Mr Corbyn himself but his shadow chancellor John McDonnell.
A couple of serving NEC members believe Mr McDonnell is eyeing a seat on the ruling body himself.A couple of serving NEC members believe Mr McDonnell is eyeing a seat on the ruling body himself.
For John McDonnell, though, this really isn't a debate about personalities. He wants to see any changes to the NEC decided as part of a wider review of party democracy.For John McDonnell, though, this really isn't a debate about personalities. He wants to see any changes to the NEC decided as part of a wider review of party democracy.
The BBC understands this is unlikely to happen until November,The BBC understands this is unlikely to happen until November,
So - as part of a wider review - if MPs were given at least some say in choosing the top team there could be counter-balancing changes to the NEC's membership which favour Mr Corbyn.So - as part of a wider review - if MPs were given at least some say in choosing the top team there could be counter-balancing changes to the NEC's membership which favour Mr Corbyn.
And there may be proposals to give the increasingly left-wing party membership some say in the shadow cabinet too.And there may be proposals to give the increasingly left-wing party membership some say in the shadow cabinet too.
'Lots of progress''Lots of progress'
Members of Mr Corbyn's inner circle say the delay in deciding the issue of elections owes more to the leader's character than to any manoeuvring by his allies. They have explained he wants to talk to leading critics and former frontbenchers one-to-one and see how they can work together and this goes beyond just filling front bench posts.Members of Mr Corbyn's inner circle say the delay in deciding the issue of elections owes more to the leader's character than to any manoeuvring by his allies. They have explained he wants to talk to leading critics and former frontbenchers one-to-one and see how they can work together and this goes beyond just filling front bench posts.
But we have spoken to some of those approached by Mr Corbyn and members of his office and almost all of them want to see shadow cabinet elections before committing to a return.But we have spoken to some of those approached by Mr Corbyn and members of his office and almost all of them want to see shadow cabinet elections before committing to a return.
And some members of the NEC and the current shadow cabinet believe that Mr Corbyn cannot return to parliament in a couple of weeks time with continuing vacancies on his frontbench.And some members of the NEC and the current shadow cabinet believe that Mr Corbyn cannot return to parliament in a couple of weeks time with continuing vacancies on his frontbench.
So we understand a parallel process has been taking place. Discussions with the leader's office and with MPs are being conducted by the chief whip Rosie Winterton.So we understand a parallel process has been taking place. Discussions with the leader's office and with MPs are being conducted by the chief whip Rosie Winterton.
Whether the deal would be enough to bring back high-profile Corbyn critics remains to be seen but one shadow cabinet member told the BBC "there has been a lot of progress, this will be sorted".Whether the deal would be enough to bring back high-profile Corbyn critics remains to be seen but one shadow cabinet member told the BBC "there has been a lot of progress, this will be sorted".
So there is some confidence that a deal is on the cards that could see some of those empty front bench positions begin to fill up.So there is some confidence that a deal is on the cards that could see some of those empty front bench positions begin to fill up.