I am standing for the election to the National Constitutional Committee (NCC) because I believe in the principles of natural justice.
All Party members deserve to be treated fairly and where a member is subjected to a complaint, or makes a complaint, the investigatory process that follows needs to be entirely objective and impartial. I also believe that our rules should be interpreted in the context of UK law and human rights law. Wrongdoing should be sanctioned but forceful argument must be permitted.
From my experience as a CLP Secretary and more importantly as a trade union accompanying representative, I am aware that partisan, authoritarian disciplinary processes, run by under-trained and often badly motivated people undermine unity and effectiveness in an organisation; they also wreck lives. Unity and a reputation for justice is vital for our Party in our many electoral battles ahead and in delivering an effective government.
Many members currently have concerns that disciplinary processes lack impartiality. These concerns are echoed in the Forde report and this is a problem the Party has to address.
Similarly in policy making, party members need to be listened to. The Conference this week sadly pushed the views of members to the margins. Insufficient time has been…
