LTB 656/18: LABOUR PARTY CONFERENCE 2018 – CWU DELEGATION REPORTS
No. 656/18
Ref: GS14.12
20th November 2018
To: All Branches
Dear Colleagues
LABOUR PARTY CONFERENCE 2018: CWU DELEGATION REPORTS
The Labour Party Conference was held in Liverpool from Sunday 23rd to Wednesday 26th September 2018.
The following is a report on the decisions taken by the CWU women’s delegation at their meeting on Friday 21st September 2018 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Liverpool.
COMMUNICATION WORKERS UNION
2018 CWU Women Labour Party Delegation Meeting
HMS Liverpool Boardroom, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Liverpool
Friday 21st September 2018, 5.30pm
PRESENT: Dave Ward (General Secretary), Tony Kearns (SDGS), Katie Dunning, Kate Hudson (Chair), Karen Rose (conference call), Joyce Stevenson and Kate Walsh
IN ATTENDANCE: Tracey Fussey, Maria Exall, Andrew Towers, Natasha Burgess and Meta Bovell
APOLOGIES: Beryl Shepherd (President)
1. INTRODUCTION AND APOLOGIES
Kate Hudson, the Chair welcomed everyone to the CWU Women’s Delegation meeting. She also welcomed Tracey Fussey and Maria Exall, who were attending the meeting in an ex-officio capacity as CWU National Policy Forum representative and Vice Chair of TULO respectively.
2. WELCOME
The General Secretary, Dave Ward, welcomed those present. Due to the fact that the Women’s Conference was having policy-making power for the first time, the General Secretary recognised the role the CWU had played in pushing for this. He explained that with the Women’s Conference being fully stand alone and independent next year, we would be able to have a separate elected delegation for this, which he recognised CWU Women’s Conference had requested.
3. DELEGATION LEADER
It was agreed that Karen Rose would lead the women’s delegation at tomorrow’s conference. She also agreed to collect the ballot papers.
4. CWU MOTION: SPEAKER AND COMPOSITING
CWU had submitted a motion on Period Poverty to the Women’s Conference. Katie Dunning offered to speak on the motion. This was agreed by the delegation. It was also agreed that Katie would attend the compositing meeting on behalf of the union on 22nd September.
5. CWU POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS
It was agreed that the delegation would consider any changes to the motions when the final composites were published at the Conference itself.
6. SPEAKERS
The delegation were given the list of motions and agreed any other speakers could be put forward at the Conference.
7. PERIOD POVERTY CAMPAIGN
Natasha Burgess, Political Advisor in the General Secretary’s office, explained the work the union would be doing to campaign on our motion on period poverty at the Conference, including leafletting outside the Conference Centre as delegates made their way in; merchandise and photo opportunities on the stall; and that the union had arranged to provide free period products in the toilets at the Conference Centre.
The delegation was asked to engage in the campaign by distributing leaflets outside the Conference venue in the morning.
It was also pointed out to the delegation that Angela Rayner, MP had written an article to promote the campaign and the CWU’s work on this, which would be published online on the day of the Conference.
8. AOB
There being no other business, the meeting closed at 6pm.
The following is a report on the decisions taken by the CWU delegation at their meeting on Sunday 23rd September 2018 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Liverpool.
COMMUNICATION WORKERS UNION
2018 CWU Labour Party Delegation Meeting
Princes Suite, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Liverpool
Sunday 23rd September 2018, 8.30am
PRESENT: Beryl Shepherd (President), Dave Ward (General Secretary), Tony Kearns (SDGS), Andy Kerr (Deputy General Secretary, T&FSE), Terry Pullinger (Deputy General Secretary, Postal), Craig Anderson, Graham Colk, Kye Dudd, Kate Dunning, Keith Hamilton, Scott Hartles, Kate Hudson, Karen Rose, Steve Jones, Brian Kenny, Joyce Stevenson, Alan Tate, Kate Walsh and Mark Walsh
IN ATTENDANCE: Jane Loftus, Chris Webb, Bill Taylor, Tracey Fussey, Maria Exall, Lionel Sampson, Andrew Towers, Chris Tapper and Meta Bovell
APOLOGIES: Sajid Shaikh
1. INTRODUCTIONS AND WELCOME
Beryl Shepherd, National President welcomed all CWU Delegates particularly Keith Hamilton from South Central Postal Branch, who was attending conference as a member of the CWU delegation for the first time.
Maria Exall was attending the meeting in an ex-officio capacity as Vice Chair of TULO.
The General Secretary also welcomed delegates and observers to the meeting and gave an overview of the important issues that would be discussed during the coming days.
2. APOLOGIES
Apologies had been received from:-
Sajid Shaikh – unable to attend as a delegate due to a family bereavement
3. ABSENCES DURING CONFERENCE
Some delegates indicated that they would be absent during some periods of the conference to attend morning fringes, and the Chair requested that she or the SDGS be notified of lengthy absences.
4. NEC CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
Andy Kerr, DGS (T&FS) gave the delegation an overview of the Democracy Review which had been conducted by the Labour NEC over the past year to enhance the democratic structures (locally, regionally and nationally) within the party. The NEC has produced rule changes and the Conference has been asked to vote on these under 8 subject areas:
Individual Members’ Rights
Local Structures: CLPs (CLP and Branch Structure)
Regional Structures
National Structures (NEC)
National Structures (National Conferences)
National Structures (Leadership Elections)
National Constitutional Committee
Westminster Selections
Tony Kearns, SDGS highlighted to the delegation that if the Democracy Review was accepted, there would be many CLP constitutional amendments which would fall and voting on the remaining Constitutional Amendments would be discussed at a future delegation meeting.
It was agreed that the CWU would support the NEC’s position on the Democracy Review.
5. MEDIA, SOCIAL MEDIA & CWU EVENT
The Chair reminded delegates not to talk to the media without prior reference to Chris Webb, Head of Communications. She also emphasised the need to obtain permission from any individual before photographs of delegates were posted onto Social Media etc.
Chris Webb informed the delegation of various events planned for the week and asked everyone to be mindful of not blocking access for visitors to the CWU stand.
6. LABOUR PARTY DOCUMENTS & OVERVIEW OF CONFERENCE
Tony Kearns, SDGS ensured that all delegates had the appropriate documentation:-
NEC Annual Report 2018
National Policy Forum Report 2018
CAC Report No. 1 and Appendix of NEC Rule Changes
How Conference Works
He also asked if anyone in the delegation wished to speak on any of the National Policy Forum sections or the Annual Report.
Scott Hartles said he would like to speak in the housing debate and Steve Jones wanted to intervene on Mental Health.
This was agreed.
7. MOTIONS AT CONFERENCE (INCLUDING CWU CONTEMPORARY MOTION)
Andrew Towers, Head of Political Strategy advised delegates that each day they would receive a Conference Arrangements Committee Report.
CAC Report No.1 issued that morning, contained the day’s agenda and the full list of all contemporary motions submitted.
CWU Contemporary Motion
Andrew explained that Labour Party Policy was made both via the National Policy Forums (NPF) which was voted on at Conference and by motions directly to Conference.
During Conference today (Sunday 23rd September), a vote would be taken on which subjects the Conference wished to discuss (4 for CLPs and 4 for Trade Unions and affiliates). The CWU had submitted a contemporary motion which would be composited within the ‘Economy’ section.
The General Secretary would speak on this motion. This was agreed. It was also agreed that the SDGS would speak in the Brexit debate.
The delegation agreed to support the motion brought forward from the Women’s Conference (held on Saturday 22nd September) and which was printed in the CAC Report No.1.
8. ELECTIONS OF NATIONAL COMMITTEES (PAGE 37)
Various elections were being held at Conference and whilst no vote was necessary in some elections (candidates elected unopposed), a vote was necessary in others.
The delegation agreed the following:
Conference Arrangements Committee – Division I – General Section
Five to elect (at least two women):
Harry Donaldson (GMB)
Tracey Fussey (CWU)
Lynne Morris (Unison)
Emily Rowles (Usdaw)
Mick Murphy (Unite) – Put forward in place of Phillipa Marsden
National Auditor
Two to elect:
Steve Jennings (GMB)
Chris Kitchen (NUM)
National Constitutional Committee Division I – Trade Unions
Two to elect:
Mick Carney (TSSA)
Ruth Hayes (Unite)
9. PRIORITIES BALLOT
As previously stated (agenda item 7), trade union affiliates would choose four contemporary issues and in accordance with colleagues in TULO the General Secretary recommended the following contemporary issues in the Priorities Ballot:
1) Brexit
2) In-work Poverty
3) An Economy for the Many (CWU Motion)
4) Public investment and public services
The contemporary issues were agreed.
It was agreed that Andrew Towers (and the Chair) would collect and complete the priorities ballot paper.
10. CARD VOTES
The Chair advised that there would be a number of votes during conference and for the constitutional amendments CWU would be required to do this by submitting card votes. Each delegate was allocated a card vote booklet. These would be administered as a delegation. Therefore 4 volunteers were required to look after the card votes on the floor of conference.
The following names were put forward and agreed.
Karen Rose (Graham Colk as deputy)
Katie Dunning (Mark Walsh as deputy)
11. LEADERS SPEECH
The Chair advised that delegates would be eligible to attend the “Speech by the Leader of the Labour Party”. This would be on Wednesday 26th September 2018 at 12.15pm and she reminded delegates that they needed to be in the hall early to take their seats
12. POLICY SEMINARS
There are 9 Policy Seminars taking place in the Arena Conference Centre. The CAC Report No. 1 (page 12) contains the details and locations of all the Policy Seminars and delegates were asked to familiarise themselves with the details, should they wish to attend.
The Chair stated that if anyone wished to make an intervention on any subject covered in the seminars, this would need to be in line with CWU Policy and delegates should have a copy of the 2018 CWU Summary Policy Document.
13. FRINGE MEETINGS
The Chair advised the delegation that a full list of fringe meetings could be found in the Conference Guide. However, she highlighted some fringe events and receptions of particular interest or that featured CWU speakers.
14. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
The Meeting concluded at 9.25am.
The following is a report on the decisions taken by the CWU delegation at their meeting on Monday 24th September 2018 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Liverpool.
COMMUNICATION WORKERS UNION
2018 CWU Labour Party Delegation Meeting
Prince’s Suite, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Liverpool
Monday 24th September 2018, 8.15am
PRESENT: Beryl Shepherd (President), Dave Ward (General Secretary), Tony Kearns (SDGS), Andy Kerr (Deputy General Secretary, T&FSE), Terry Pullinger (Deputy General Secretary, Postal), Craig Anderson, Graham Colk, Kye Dudd, Kate Dunning, Keith Hamilton, Scott Hartles, Karen Rose, Steve Jones, Brian Kenny, Joyce Stevenson, Alan Tate, Kate Walsh and Mark Walsh
IN ATTENDANCE: Jane Loftus, Chris Webb, Bill Taylor, Tracey Fussey, Maria Exall, Lionel Sampson, Andrew Towers, Chris Tapper and Meta Bovell
APOLOGIES: Kate Hudson
1. CONFERENCE ARRANGMENTS COMMITTEE (CAC) REPORT NO.2
CAC Report No.2 issued that morning, contained the day’s agenda and the results of the Card Votes and Contemporary Motions Priorities Ballot (in Appendix 2 on page 21). The Constitutional Card Votes re the Democracy Review would be announced at Conference.
The eight subject areas selected for debate were:
| Top 4 Issues from Affiliates Ballot | Top 4 Issues from CLP Ballot |
| Brexit | Housing |
| An Economy for the Many | Schools System |
| Government Contracts | Justice for the Windrush |
| In-work Poverty | Palestine |
Composite Motions
As a result of the Compositing Meetings, 4 composite motions were agreed and listed on pages 11 – 17.
Composite Motion 1 – Housing
Composite Motion 2 – An Economy for the Many
Composite Motion 3 – In-work Poverty
Composite Motion 4 – Schools System
The General Secretary recommended that the delegation support all 4 Composite Motions.
The delegation agreed to support the composite motions.
Emergency Motions
In addition to the Composite motions, there were 2 Emergency Motions which would be debated during today’s session:
Emergency Motion 1 – Grenfell Tower
Emergency Motion 2 – Industrial Crisis in the Car Industry
The General Secretary recommended that the delegation support the 2 Emergency Motions.
The delegation agreed to support the Emergency motions.
- INTERVENTIONS / SPEAKERS
The following delegates indicated that they would like to speak:
| Kye Dudd | Post Bank (The Chair said she thought it unlikely that we could find a suitable slot for this) |
| Scott Hartles | Composite Motion 1 – Housing |
| Steve Jones | NPF Report on Mental Health (This would probably be Wednesday morning) |
3. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
i. The General Secretary explained the Labour Party NEC position on Brexit and CWU policy;
ii. Delegates were reminded of the Fringe meetings taking place where the General Secretary would be speaking;
iii. Delegates were also reminded of the World Transformed sessions;
iv. Chris Webb gave details of the arrangements for the CWU Event.
The meeting concluded at 8.35am.
The following is a report on the decisions taken by the CWU delegation at their meeting on Tuesday 25th September 2018 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Liverpool.
COMMUNICATION WORKERS UNION
2018 CWU Labour Party Delegation Meeting
Princes Suite, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Liverpool
Tuesday 25th September 2018, 8.15am
PRESENT: Beryl Shepherd (President), Dave Ward (General Secretary), Tony Kearns (SDGS), Andy Kerr (Deputy General Secretary, T&FSE), Craig Anderson, Graham Colk, Kye Dudd, Keith Hamilton, Scott Hartles, Kate Hudson, Karen Rose, Steve Jones, Brian Kenny, Joyce Stevenson, Alan Tate, Kate Walsh and Mark Walsh
IN ATTENDANCE: Jane Loftus, Chris Webb, Bill Taylor, Tracey Fussey, Maria Exall, Lionel Sampson, Andrew Towers, Chris Tapper and Meta Bovell
APOLOGIES: Andy Kerr (Deputy General Secretary, T&FS), Terry Pullinger (Deputy General Secretary, Postal) and Katie Dunning
The Chair opened the meeting and placed on record thanks to the Comms team and all involved in organising the CWU Event. All feedback was extremely positive.
1. CONFERENCE ARRANGMENTS COMMITTEE (CAC) REPORT NO.3
CAC Report No.3 issued that morning, contained the day’s agenda and the result of the Priorities Ballot (in Appendix 6 on page 49) and Card Votes (1 to 8) (in Appendix 4 on page 42), and as a result a number of Constitutional Amendments had fallen.
2. BREXIT
There were five Composite Motions as listed below to be debated today:
| Composite Motion 5 – Brexit |
| Composite Motion 6 – Government Contracts |
| Composite Motion 7 – Government Contracts |
| Composite Motion 8 – Justice for the Windrush Generation |
| Composite Motion 9 – Palestine |
It was agreed to CWU would support all of the composite motions and that the SDGS would speak in the Brexit debate.
3. CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
There are 12 Constitutional Amendments left to be debated at today’s Conference session. The SDGS suggested that the delegation follow the NEC recommendations apart from the following:
| Vote | Revised Recommendation | ||
| 13 | Annual Standing Orders | Oppose | |
| 17 | Abolition of Registered Supporter Status | Support | |
The SDGS recommendations were agreed.
- POTENTIAL INTERVENTIONS/SPEAKERS
The following delegates indicated that they would like to intervene in the debate.
| Steve Jones | Composite Motion 8 – NPF Report on Mental Health |
This was agreed.
5. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
The Chair advised that there would not be a delegation meeting on Wednesday 26th September.
The meeting concluded at 8.55am.
Any enquiries on the above LTB should be addressed to the General Secretary’s office gsoffice@cwu.org.
Yours sincerely
Dave Ward
General Secretary
18LTB656 – LABOUR PARTY CONFERENCE 2018 (CWU DELEGATION REPORTS)