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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/sep/25/labour-unexpectedly-drops-plan-for-female-co-deputy-leader
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Labour unexpectedly drops plan for female co-deputy leader | Labour unexpectedly drops plan for female co-deputy leader |
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Labour has unexpectedly shelved plans to create a position for a second, female, deputy leader, a policy backed by the current deputy leader, Tom Watson. | Labour has unexpectedly shelved plans to create a position for a second, female, deputy leader, a policy backed by the current deputy leader, Tom Watson. |
The party’s ruling national executive committee had voted in favour of the change at its pre-conference meeting. The move had historically been backed by the party’s left as a way of limiting Watson’s influence after the Labour veteran was partially blamed for the campaign against Jeremy Corbyn in 2016. | The party’s ruling national executive committee had voted in favour of the change at its pre-conference meeting. The move had historically been backed by the party’s left as a way of limiting Watson’s influence after the Labour veteran was partially blamed for the campaign against Jeremy Corbyn in 2016. |
However, Watson unexpectedly backed the move at the NEC meeting, prompting fears from some in the party that a female candidate who supported a second Brexit referendum would place fresh pressure on the leader over the issue. | However, Watson unexpectedly backed the move at the NEC meeting, prompting fears from some in the party that a female candidate who supported a second Brexit referendum would place fresh pressure on the leader over the issue. |
The proposed rule change to create a second deputy post, and for one of the posts to be filled by a woman, was submitted by the Wirral West constituency Labour party. | The proposed rule change to create a second deputy post, and for one of the posts to be filled by a woman, was submitted by the Wirral West constituency Labour party. |
But, during the debate and vote at the Labour conference on Tuesday morning, the local party unexpectedly withdrew its motion, meaning the change could not be made. | But, during the debate and vote at the Labour conference on Tuesday morning, the local party unexpectedly withdrew its motion, meaning the change could not be made. |
The Wirral West delegate Angela Marincowitz-Skillen said there had been “disturbing reports that those who want to divide our party … want to use this as a way to do it,” she said. | The Wirral West delegate Angela Marincowitz-Skillen said there had been “disturbing reports that those who want to divide our party … want to use this as a way to do it,” she said. |
“Making an election for a new deputy leader about Brexit, about a new centre party or whatever project, to sow disunity. I want to say to those people, members are sick of this sectarian game.” | “Making an election for a new deputy leader about Brexit, about a new centre party or whatever project, to sow disunity. I want to say to those people, members are sick of this sectarian game.” |
She said she wanted “change for a united party” but said she would remit the motion to allow the NEC to look at the election of both positions for deputy leader. | She said she wanted “change for a united party” but said she would remit the motion to allow the NEC to look at the election of both positions for deputy leader. |
Delegates entering the conference hall in Liverpool had been urged to vote against the change by leftwing groups. The Campaign for Labour Party Democracy, which is associated with the late Tony Benn, called on delegates in its morning briefing to oppose the change, effectively because it was supported by Watson. | Delegates entering the conference hall in Liverpool had been urged to vote against the change by leftwing groups. The Campaign for Labour Party Democracy, which is associated with the late Tony Benn, called on delegates in its morning briefing to oppose the change, effectively because it was supported by Watson. |
“This ill-thought through tokenism is not the way forward,” the group said. “We have the leader we need in Jeremy Corbyn. The last thing we need is another divisive leadership contest.” | “This ill-thought through tokenism is not the way forward,” the group said. “We have the leader we need in Jeremy Corbyn. The last thing we need is another divisive leadership contest.” |
Stephanie Lloyd, the deputy director of the centre-left pressure group Progress, said: “Today, petty factionalism was put ahead of gender representation. Labour having a gender balanced top team is long overdue. Worse – the reason that was given was because a woman might dare to hold different opinions and engage in vigorous debate.” | Stephanie Lloyd, the deputy director of the centre-left pressure group Progress, said: “Today, petty factionalism was put ahead of gender representation. Labour having a gender balanced top team is long overdue. Worse – the reason that was given was because a woman might dare to hold different opinions and engage in vigorous debate.” |
Possible candidates whose names had been floated by MPs included Stella Creasy and Rosena Allin-Khan, as well as the shadow cabinet ministers Angela Rayner, Rebecca Long-Bailey, Dawn Butler and Emily Thornberry. | Possible candidates whose names had been floated by MPs included Stella Creasy and Rosena Allin-Khan, as well as the shadow cabinet ministers Angela Rayner, Rebecca Long-Bailey, Dawn Butler and Emily Thornberry. |
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Labour conference 2018 | Labour conference 2018 |
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