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Labour party to consider major leadership rule change for Jeremy Corbyn's successor Jeremy Corbyn set to secure control of party for Labour left with major leadership rule change vote
(35 minutes later)
Labour's ruling body is set to consider sweeping changes to party rules which would reduce the number of MPs needing to approve a new leader.Labour's ruling body is set to consider sweeping changes to party rules which would reduce the number of MPs needing to approve a new leader.
The party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) will vote on lowering the threshold of support that candidates need to get on the ballot from 15 per cent to 10 per cent, which would widen the leadership race to allow applicants who have previously failed to gain support in the parliamentary party. The party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) will vote on proposals from Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn to lower the threshold of support that candidates need to get on the ballot from 15 per cent to 10 per cent, which could ease the way for a left-wing successor and offer more power to grass roots members.
The move would offer a compromise on previous calls to amend the rules so candidates only needed to secure 5 per cent of the vote - the so-called McDonnell amendment named after shadow chancellor John McDonnell who has supported a reduction in the threshold. The move would offer a compromise on previous calls to amend the rules so candidates only needed to secure 5 per cent of the vote - the so-called McDonnell amendment named after shadow chancellor John McDonnell, who has supported a reduction in the threshold.
Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn will put forward proposals to the NEC on Tuesday, which could offer more power to grassroots members and ease the path for a left-wing successor. It comes after two allies of Mr Corbyn were elected to a key committee that has the power to decide what is discussed at the Labour party conference, further strengthening his grip on the party.
Mr Corbyn struggled to gain the requisite number of nominations when he stood to be leader in 2015, however he was helped by several MPs who were not close allies to get onto the ballot paper. Mr Corbyn struggled to gain enough nominations to stand in the 2015 leadership contest, however he was helped by several MPs who were not close allies to get onto the ballot paper.
The move prompted concern from some at the centre of the party, who questioned the need for changes to the rules. The move prompted concern from some at the centre of the party, who questioned the need for changes to the rules.
Richard Angell, director of the centrist group Progress, said: “This package is all about marginalising Labour MPs in the Labour movement.Richard Angell, director of the centrist group Progress, said: “This package is all about marginalising Labour MPs in the Labour movement.
"Reducing the importance of MPs is the worst way of convincing the public they should elect more of them to bring about a future Labour government.”"Reducing the importance of MPs is the worst way of convincing the public they should elect more of them to bring about a future Labour government.”
Other proposals could include around five new seats on the NEC for trade unions and party members, although all changes will be need to be approved at the upcoming Labour Party conference in Brighton. Other proposals could include up to five new seats on the NEC for trade unions and party members, although all changes be discussed at the upcoming Labour Party conference in Brighton.
It comes after Seema Chandwani, a party activist in Tottenham, and Billy Hayes, the former head of the CWU postal workers union, were elected to the Conference Arrangements Committee (CAC) for next year, replacing more moderate rivals Shadow Justice Minister Gloria De Piero and Labour peer Michael Cashman.
The result means the balance of the CAC has shifted decisively in Mr Corbyn’s favour, having previously been controlled by moderates, with five of the seven members from the left of the party.