Elections for the Momentum National Co-ordinating Group


Voting began at midday today. You should receive an email with a link and login to vote. You can vote for 4 candidates from your regional division. Voting will close on Friday 17th February at midday so be sure to cast your vote before then. The results will be announced later that day.

I am standing as a candidate in the Midlands, Wales, East and West Region. I am grateful to those comrades who nominated and so allowed me to be candidate in the on-line ballot.

All candidates have now set out their stalls in their election statements. Some are even standing on a pro-leadership slate. I am not standing on a slate with any other candidates. However, I would suggest that comrades carefully read the statements and decide on the strengths of each candidate based on what they say.

I take the view that this vote is about the direction of Momentum and not about Labour winning the General Election in 2020. That is a debate for another time and place.

The imposition of the new constitution by the Steering Committee is an affront to democracy and to activists working hard to change the politics of the Left and Labour Party. It is beyond belief that those claiming to be promoting a democratic organisation based on the principles of One Member One Vote (OMOV), can in good conscience impose a constitution without consulting the members of Momentum at either a conference or by ballot. The ultimatum given to members accept the constitution or leave is an affront to those who have worked hard to build Momentum as a political organisation.

On balance, I prefer a system based on local groups and a delegate-based conference. Policy-making by petitions as envisaged by the constitution lacks credibility. I recall from my experience in the Labour Party and the PCS trade union, that membership ballots used were to go "over the head" of conferences or branches on policies especially those they wanted to overturn. The power is given to those who draft the questions that are asked. I am not completely opposed to OMOV but sceptical about how it will be used by the leadership.

I hope that comrades will agree with my analysis of where we are in Momentum and feel able to vote for me in this election. Thank you.