LEFT campaign group Momentum voted to maintain its orientation towards the Labour Party at its convention at the weekend.

Proposals to expand its membership to individuals who were not members of the Labour Party were rejected by 138 votes to 67.

The shift, proposed by James Schneider, former media spokesman for Jeremy Corbyn, was also opposed by the Communication Workers Union (CWU), the largest of Momentum’s three trade union affiliates and the only one represented at the convention.

Under Momentum’s complex policy for changing its rules, the CWU would have had an effective veto over the proposal even had it commanded majority support.

Supporters of the change urged recognition of the fact that many supporters have left Labour under Sir Keir Starmer’s authoritarian leadership, and it was important to keep them engaged.

But opponents argued that Momentum was a Labour-supporting project and that its membership requirements should reflect this.

The convention adopted several motions developing its strategy for effecting change within Labour in the run-up to the general election and beyond. 

One argued that “as the institution embodying trade union involvement in electoral politics and representation, the Labour Party continues to be indispensable as a site of, and potential vehicle for, the struggle for socialism.”

It also agreed campaigning on Gaza as a priority for the forthcoming period, with activity on local government as a second aim.

Momentum was launched in 2015 to support Mr Corbyn’s leadership of Labour and its membership peaked at about 35,000.  It  now stands at slightly over 10,000 members.