Comments on: That conference feeling http://www.antoniabance.org.uk/2006/09/22/that-conference-feeling/ Thoughts of Antonia, Labour activist and feminist in Oxford Mon, 13 Oct 2008 06:17:50 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Antonia http://www.antoniabance.org.uk/2006/09/22/that-conference-feeling/#comment-22301 Antonia Mon, 25 Sep 2006 00:05:58 +0000 http://www.antoniabance.org.uk/2006/09/22/that-conference-feeling/#comment-22301 Neil - for sure internal Labour party democracy needs a shake-up, I wouldn't dispute that. I don't advocate a return to the days of motions and debates on conference floor which are both hugely divisive and do us damage in the media and public eye, though. I'd prefer the ability to take parts on the national policy forum reports at the final stage, and a better partnership in power process. And I'm really not sure about the point about "one representative, one vote" (they're delegates at Labour, not representatives, btw) - why on earth would that be a good thing? The unions and socialist societies are part of our party, and I wouldn't advocate changing how we vote on things at all. Neil - for sure internal Labour party democracy needs a shake-up, I wouldn’t dispute that. I don’t advocate a return to the days of motions and debates on conference floor which are both hugely divisive and do us damage in the media and public eye, though. I’d prefer the ability to take parts on the national policy forum reports at the final stage, and a better partnership in power process. And I’m really not sure about the point about “one representative, one vote” (they’re delegates at Labour, not representatives, btw) - why on earth would that be a good thing? The unions and socialist societies are part of our party, and I wouldn’t advocate changing how we vote on things at all.

]]> By: liberal neil http://www.antoniabance.org.uk/2006/09/22/that-conference-feeling/#comment-22231 liberal neil Sun, 24 Sep 2006 15:34:49 +0000 http://www.antoniabance.org.uk/2006/09/22/that-conference-feeling/#comment-22231 Your party's 'democracy' certainly seems to work in a very odd way sometimes. Isn't it deeply demotivating to activists to not even be allowed to raise important issues? At Lib Dem conference the Oxford West amendment supporting the retention of a 50p rate on high earnings was not only allowed, it was given a proper amount of debating time, senior MPs spoke in favour of it and I believe Evan was even given research support to ensure it added up. The result was that everyone, from whichever side of the debate, left the conference hall feeling that we had a proper debate, that all sides had been aired, and that they would be happy to campaign for the policy that got majority support. And, of course, it is one representative, one vote. Your party’s ‘democracy’ certainly seems to work in a very odd way sometimes. Isn’t it deeply demotivating to activists to not even be allowed to raise important issues?

At Lib Dem conference the Oxford West amendment supporting the retention of a 50p rate on high earnings was not only allowed, it was given a proper amount of debating time, senior MPs spoke in favour of it and I believe Evan was even given research support to ensure it added up.

The result was that everyone, from whichever side of the debate, left the conference hall feeling that we had a proper debate, that all sides had been aired, and that they would be happy to campaign for the policy that got majority support.

And, of course, it is one representative, one vote.

]]> By: Louise http://www.antoniabance.org.uk/2006/09/22/that-conference-feeling/#comment-21948 Louise Sat, 23 Sep 2006 13:02:53 +0000 http://www.antoniabance.org.uk/2006/09/22/that-conference-feeling/#comment-21948 Careful of the conference cold - I always managed to pick it up in the days when I attended Tory conferences... Careful of the conference cold - I always managed to pick it up in the days when I attended Tory conferences…

]]> By: Paul Leake: absit invidia verbo » Blog Archive » Blair berated over single parent jibes http://www.antoniabance.org.uk/2006/09/22/that-conference-feeling/#comment-21935 Paul Leake: absit invidia verbo » Blog Archive » Blair berated over single parent jibes Sat, 23 Sep 2006 12:08:33 +0000 http://www.antoniabance.org.uk/2006/09/22/that-conference-feeling/#comment-21935 [...] Found the story via Peter Black (”Like John Redwood before him the Prime Minister has learnt that it does not do to mess with single parents”) although another Lib Dem, Peter McGrath adds far more intelligent comment (as in more comment, not an aspersion on Peter Black). Coming from a single parent family that is set to get all three of us through good universities, economically active and socially functional (despite some pretty tough knocks), I would certainly agree with McGrath that “the question isn’t whether a child comes from a married, partnered or a lone parent home” but one of parenting and aspiration (although I would add poverty to that given its effects on families and children). Will be very interesting to see what Ann Black writes up in her personal NEC report to the Labour members who elected her to the committee. Also would be interested in seeing what Antonia Bance has to say about it as one of (if not the) most well-informed and passionate campaigners on child poverty and supporting socially excluded mothers on the UK political blogosphere (although she may be pressed for blogging time this week). [...] [...] Found the story via Peter Black (”Like John Redwood before him the Prime Minister has learnt that it does not do to mess with single parents”) although another Lib Dem, Peter McGrath adds far more intelligent comment (as in more comment, not an aspersion on Peter Black). Coming from a single parent family that is set to get all three of us through good universities, economically active and socially functional (despite some pretty tough knocks), I would certainly agree with McGrath that “the question isn’t whether a child comes from a married, partnered or a lone parent home” but one of parenting and aspiration (although I would add poverty to that given its effects on families and children). Will be very interesting to see what Ann Black writes up in her personal NEC report to the Labour members who elected her to the committee. Also would be interested in seeing what Antonia Bance has to say about it as one of (if not the) most well-informed and passionate campaigners on child poverty and supporting socially excluded mothers on the UK political blogosphere (although she may be pressed for blogging time this week). [...]

]]> By: Paul http://www.antoniabance.org.uk/2006/09/22/that-conference-feeling/#comment-21926 Paul Sat, 23 Sep 2006 11:37:53 +0000 http://www.antoniabance.org.uk/2006/09/22/that-conference-feeling/#comment-21926 Going to have time to comment on today's <a href="http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/politics/article1705616.ece" rel="nofollow">Independent story</a> that trades unionist (and single mum) Harriet Yeo attacked TB's comments on unmarried mothers at the latest NEC meeting in very personal terms? "My daughter has not disgraced me, not like your son who was found drunk in the gutter. We don't want lectures from you". Going to have time to comment on today’s Independent story that trades unionist (and single mum) Harriet Yeo attacked TB’s comments on unmarried mothers at the latest NEC meeting in very personal terms?

“My daughter has not disgraced me, not like your son who was found drunk in the gutter. We don’t want lectures from you”.

]]> By: Tim Worstall http://www.antoniabance.org.uk/2006/09/22/that-conference-feeling/#comment-21878 Tim Worstall Sat, 23 Sep 2006 07:41:16 +0000 http://www.antoniabance.org.uk/2006/09/22/that-conference-feeling/#comment-21878 <strong>More Labour Blogging...</strong> Amazing really. Getting a photo for my pass application didn’t seem like a big deal in June. Oh, well, that didn’t come out too well, doesn’t matter, get the bloody thing sent off to the party. Now it’s conference, and... More Labour Blogging…

Amazing really. Getting a photo for my pass application didn’t seem like a big deal in June. Oh, well, that didn’t come out too well, doesn’t matter, get the bloody thing sent off to the party. Now it’s conference, and…

]]> By: Peter Kenyon http://www.antoniabance.org.uk/2006/09/22/that-conference-feeling/#comment-21799 Peter Kenyon Sat, 23 Sep 2006 00:57:53 +0000 http://www.antoniabance.org.uk/2006/09/22/that-conference-feeling/#comment-21799 Dear Antonia In Cities of London and Westminster we share your frustration about the CAC ruling on that child poverty motion...and Leadership. Some suggestions for delegates can be seen at: http://www.savethelabourparty.org/0609_Leadership.html Dear Antonia

In Cities of London and Westminster we share your frustration about the CAC ruling on that child poverty motion…and Leadership.

Some suggestions for delegates can be seen at:

http://www.savethelabourparty.org/0609_Leadership.html

]]> By: TLMJJ http://www.antoniabance.org.uk/2006/09/22/that-conference-feeling/#comment-21789 TLMJJ Fri, 22 Sep 2006 23:30:06 +0000 http://www.antoniabance.org.uk/2006/09/22/that-conference-feeling/#comment-21789 "I hate smart women’s shoes" Probably too late for this conference, but can I recommend ballet slippers from Office for the next one? £25, available in a range of colours, very, very comfy, they go with everything AND they look smart. “I hate smart women’s shoes”

Probably too late for this conference, but can I recommend ballet slippers from Office for the next one? £25, available in a range of colours, very, very comfy, they go with everything AND they look smart.

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