This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/sep/03/momentum-calls-for-more-open-labour-selection-process
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Momentum calls for more open Labour selection process | Momentum calls for more open Labour selection process |
| (about 11 hours later) | |
| The pressure group Momentum said that Labour should open up its process for selecting parliamentary candidates to create “a new generation of MPs”. | The pressure group Momentum said that Labour should open up its process for selecting parliamentary candidates to create “a new generation of MPs”. |
| The pro-Corbyn group said that the rules as they stood were outdated and prevented there being a level playing field. | The pro-Corbyn group said that the rules as they stood were outdated and prevented there being a level playing field. |
| Momentum said it planned to work with NEC members, the trade unions, and delegates to ensure “the best possible rule change” was passed at the party conference, which begins 23 September, in Liverpool. | Momentum said it planned to work with NEC members, the trade unions, and delegates to ensure “the best possible rule change” was passed at the party conference, which begins 23 September, in Liverpool. |
| A Momentum spokeswoman said: “Labour’s selection procedure should be democratic, give a fair chance to all candidates and encourage positive campaigning. This means ending the divisive practice of forcing activists to campaign against sitting MPs and replacing it with a process that is open from the start.” | A Momentum spokeswoman said: “Labour’s selection procedure should be democratic, give a fair chance to all candidates and encourage positive campaigning. This means ending the divisive practice of forcing activists to campaign against sitting MPs and replacing it with a process that is open from the start.” |
| The group said that under Labour’s present system there could be no British equivalent of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the 28-year-old socialist from the Bronx, who upset the odds and won the race to become the Democratic nominee for Congress, in New York. | The group said that under Labour’s present system there could be no British equivalent of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the 28-year-old socialist from the Bronx, who upset the odds and won the race to become the Democratic nominee for Congress, in New York. |
| Momentum’s call for reform is unlikely to be welcomed across the party, given that it has been accused of targeting anti-Corbyn MPs for deselection in the past. | Momentum’s call for reform is unlikely to be welcomed across the party, given that it has been accused of targeting anti-Corbyn MPs for deselection in the past. |
| The group has previously advocated changing the current selection system whereby the threshold for instigating a contest would be lowered. It said it was pleased that a number of different rule changes for selection had been submitted for discussion at party conference. | |
| On Sunday the Observer reported that eight rule changes had been submitted, by 13 Labour branches, aiming to make it easier to remove sitting MPs. Most demanded a full reselection process, with members choosing from a shortlist that would include the sitting MP. Currently the MP requires a simple majority of local parties and trade union branches. | On Sunday the Observer reported that eight rule changes had been submitted, by 13 Labour branches, aiming to make it easier to remove sitting MPs. Most demanded a full reselection process, with members choosing from a shortlist that would include the sitting MP. Currently the MP requires a simple majority of local parties and trade union branches. |
| The Momentum spokeswoman said that opening up the selection process was essential to bringing MPs closer to Labour party members and “transforming Britain for the many, not the few”. | The Momentum spokeswoman said that opening up the selection process was essential to bringing MPs closer to Labour party members and “transforming Britain for the many, not the few”. |
| She said: “Recognising the groundswell of support from ordinary Labour members Momentum would like to affirm its commitment to the creation of a more open, inclusive, selection process which would open the door to a new generation of Labour MPs. | She said: “Recognising the groundswell of support from ordinary Labour members Momentum would like to affirm its commitment to the creation of a more open, inclusive, selection process which would open the door to a new generation of Labour MPs. |
| “Labour has to nurture the talent of its half a million members and we cannot let an outdated rule book hold back a new generation of MPs.” | “Labour has to nurture the talent of its half a million members and we cannot let an outdated rule book hold back a new generation of MPs.” |
| Momentum | Momentum |
| Labour | Labour |
| Jeremy Corbyn | Jeremy Corbyn |
| Labour conference | Labour conference |
| news | news |
| Share on Facebook | Share on Facebook |
| Share on Twitter | Share on Twitter |
| Share via Email | Share via Email |
| Share on LinkedIn | Share on LinkedIn |
| Share on Pinterest | Share on Pinterest |
| Share on Google+ | Share on Google+ |
| Share on WhatsApp | Share on WhatsApp |
| Share on Messenger | Share on Messenger |
| Reuse this content | Reuse this content |