Progressives fear loss of diversity

The Campaign for Labour Party Democracy (CLPD) condemned Lord Collins's proposals as "just what the Tories want."

CLPD secretary Pete Willsman (pictured) likened the scheme for opting-in by trade union members to the "vicious, vindictive" law imposed by the Tory government in 1927 following the 1926 General Strike.

This law was overturned by the Labour government in 1946, when Prime Minister Clement Attlee quickly restored the requirement for trade union members to opt out if they did not wish to affiliate to the party.

Mr Willsman accused today's Labour leadership of failing to learn the lessons of history.

"This is also what Progress and the Blairites have wanted," he said.

Turning to the "ridiculous" proposal that leadership candidates must have the support of 20 per cent of MPs, Mr Willsman warned that it would give hardly any chance for progressive candidates to challenge the status quo.

He added that allegations were growing that Lord Collins had ignored the views of many party members when conducting his "consultation" on the constitutional changes.

"Unless they publish the full results of the consultation, we will regard it as a con and a sham."

Mr Willsman also argued that the proposals would create an "administrative nightmare" for the unions, with some affiliated members paying £3 and full individual members paying £46.

"They have not thought through the administrative implications," he argued.

Party conferences may face similar changes

Labour deputy leader Harriet Harman suggested yesterday that slashing the union block vote at party conferences could be the next constitutional change.

Ms Harman was asked on the Andrew Marr show if she thought unions should retain a 50 per cent share.

She replied that the current Collins reforms "might well have implications for national executive elections and conference."

Unite general secretary Len McCluskey was questioned about the same issue on Radio 5 Live.

He agreed that "the whole question of the block vote will be looked at at some juncture as the new proposals come into play."

But he added: "I am not so concerned with the block vote at conference. I'm more concerned with the conference meaning something.

"At the moment they are stage-managed pretty much like Conservative Party conferences.

"You pass resolutions and the leadership of the party then ignores them."

'A fan club led by an elite'

Senior back-bench MP Ian Davidson slammed the Labour leadership yesterday for wasting their efforts on party reorganisation at a time when working people are being hammered.

The Glasgow MP said: "In the midst of the economic crisis and financial hardship facing lots of my constituents, nobody has been suggesting to me that what we need is a reorganisation of the party."

Mr Davidson denounced the proposed constitutional changes as "unfinished business from the Blairite years."

He added: "It's a bit like the creation of the US democrats. It is basically a fan club led by an elite."

The weakening of the role of trade unions inside the Labour Party was "likely to increase the takeover of the party by a professional Oxbridge elite," he said.

And he warned that creating cheaper levels of membership for affiliated members, many working-class people would simply pay the minimum and then be refused the opportunity to participate in the selection of councillors and MPs.

"The Labour Party as a democratic organisation will be hollowed out, as many working-class people choose to pay a lower fee.

"The worry is that at a time when Labour seems to be moving away from working people, there is no great enthusiasm for participation.

"The income for the party will collapse, and the leadership will then have to turn to the millionaires for financial support."

Veteran left MP Jeremy Corbyn said the party should be proud of its relationship with the trade unions.

"It is the very lifeblood of our movement."

The Collins proposals would "seriously damage the organic link between unions and party," he protested.

Mr Corbyn added: "The party's income comes from its members, small donors and obviously the trade unions.

"We are not going to get any money from the rich and powerful.

"And therefore to be an effective political force, there needs to be a close relationship between the party and the unions."

The new rules, and how it will all happen

Every individual member of an affiliated trade union will be given a straight Yes or No choice about whether they want to pay a small sum to ensure their union's voice is heard within the party.

Trade unions will continue to affiliate collectively to Labour but, for the first time, the payment of affiliation fees will become a wholly transparent process based on individual positive consent.

These reforms will be introduced in 2014 and will apply to new members of affiliated organisations first. They will be fully implemented for existing members of such organisations within five years. During this period, affiliated organisations will be encouraged to help the party maximise the number of people who agree to pay an affiliation fee.

At the end of this period, the affiliation of each organisation will be determined by the number of members who have consented to the payment of affiliation fees. Only those who have chosen to pay will be counted.

Around 20,000 existing registered supporters who do not wish to join the Labour Party will be asked if they wish to pay a fee to have a bigger say in the party.

Those who do will also be asked if they wish - at no extra cost - to become an affiliated supporter who has a direct relationship with the party as an individual.

For the first time, the party would then be able to contact affiliated people directly.

They would be invited to take part in local campaigns, policy discussions and fund-raising.

Also, affiliated supporters would be attached as an individual to their constituency party - but with no rights over local or parliamentary selections.

The party leader and deputy leader will in future be elected according to one member, one vote. The existing electoral college will be abolished.

In addition to being given a choice over the payment of fees, members of trade unions and other affiliated organisations will be asked if they want to have an individual voice within it.

Those who wish to become an affiliated supporter will have a single vote in the leadership election, along with MPs, individual party members and registered supporters from all walks of life who have paid a small fee.

Under the new rules, all the ballot papers will be issued by the Labour Party centrally which would hold the personal contact details of affiliated supporters.

Unions and other affiliated organisations will no longer issue their own ballot papers.

Over the five-year transition, only those members of affiliated trade unions who have separately signed up to become affiliated supporters and consented to pay an affiliation fee will be given a vote in any leadership contest.

Currently, candidates for leader and deputy leader must secure the nominations of 12.5 per cent of MPs before being allowed to enter the contest.

The role of MPs in the nomination process would be strengthened so that only those who secured 20 per cent of nominations from MPs will be allowed to contest.

Labour wants to significantly increase the present number of 20,000 registered supporters who participate in campaigns and work with constituency parties.

These registered supporters will have similar rights to affiliated supporters, and in return for a registration fee, will be given an equal vote in leadership elections.

Full individual members of the party will remain the only people who can select parliamentary candidates, become constituency delegates to party conference or stand for election as Labour councillors or representatives.

A primary election will be held to choose Labour's candidate for mayor of London. Currently this selection is not reserved solely for individual party members, but is conducted through another electoral college in which unions and other affiliated organisations have 50 per cent of the vote.

It is proposed that this selection is also conducted on one member, one vote principles, with members, affiliated supporters and registered supporters all equal.

New rules governing selection of parliamentary candidates will involve standardised and regulated constituency agreements "so that no-one can allege individuals are being put under pressure at local level."

A strengthened code of conduct for selections will involve a swift timetable and guarantees that local members have proper interaction with their candidates.

A limit will be imposed on spending by potential candidates in pursuit of selection, with a cap on campaign donations.