New Labour gags Party Conference

Activists outraged as Conference Arrangements Committee blocks motions critical of Government

The LRC has learned that the majority of resolutions from constituency Labour parties (CLPs) across the country have been blocked from debate at Party conference.

Resolutions critical of Government policy on a range of issues have been ruled out of order. These issues include: Iraq, Trident replacement, the council housing 'fourth option', nuclear energy, trade union laws, Venezuela, incapacity benefit, school admissions policy, party political funding, and Thames Water.

John McDonnell, Chair of the Labour Representation Committee and Labour leadership candidate, said:

“New Labour clearly hasn't learned the lesson that you cannot stifle debate in this Party. There will be an angry reaction not just from delegates but from Party members who have voted to debate these critical issues.

“The theme of this conference is 'renewal' but this appears to be the same old New Labour control freakery which has alienated so many members. The voice of the Party cannot be silenced in this way.

“Last year we had the appalling spectacle of Walter Wolfgang being thrown out of the conference for raising dissent, and the overwhelming reaction of Party members has been to elect him to the National Executive. This year's attempt to gag conference will backfire as well.”

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