John Mann MP's Drugs Manifesto Consultation

I have written to Gordon Brown today calling for him to take radical action and rejuvenate the Labour Party.  In the letter I say “your government too often gives the impression of fighting shy of political debate, with most Ministers invisible on the airwaves, the newspapers and in dialogue with the wider membership. It is high time that you acted and demonstrate that you have confidence in what we are doing and what we intend to do and liberate the creativity that is widespread throughout the Labour Party and its supporter base”

I am calling for an overhaul of the Labour Party’s political structures, more inclusive policy making using new forms of media, membership ability to hold Ministers to account and the widening of Party membership who can also participate in Parliamentary selections.

The full text of my letter is set out below:

Rt Hon Gordon Brown MP

Prime Minister

10 Downing Street

London

SW1 2AA

25 August 2009

Dear Gordon

Radical surgery is required to repair the worn out structures of the Labour Party and there are few signs that this is even on the drawing board.

Rather than wait for internecine warfare and endless naval gazing into the future it is your responsibility to act now.

Five fundamental changes are required and should be brought in immediately to refresh the Labour Party.

The organisational problems that impede our politics are consistent with those of other democratic parties of left and right across Europe, including today’s Conservative Party. Indeed under David Cameron the Conservative Party has lost members and seen the base of its funding decline. A number of Conservative Associations report organisational problems in maintaining their structures despite their recent local election successes.

Political parties need to enter the modern communications era and it would be refreshing and rejuvenating for the Labour Party to lead the way.

The changes required:

A.The abolition of the compulsory branch structure, with instead all member constituency meetings and events and a voluntary, non structured branch system wherever it suits local election organisation. For years we have stuck to a model of organisation that pre-dates the era of modern communications

B. The opening of policy making through the internet to allow online policy. discussion, debate and formulation as the main forum to generate relevant and exciting  political ideas.

C. The direct involvement of the membership in holding Government Ministers to account through on-line forums and local feedback events.

D. The widening of Party membership by allowing all affiliated members, including all trade union levy payers and all Co-operators to participate in all policy formulation.

E. Selection of candidates through the involvement of this wider membership.

 Your government too often gives the impression of fighting shy of political debate, with most Ministers invisible on the airwaves, the newspapers and in dialogue with the wider membership. It is high time that you acted and demonstrate that you have confidence in what we are doing and what we intend to do and liberate the creativity that is widespread throughout the Labour Party and its supporter base.

Yours Sincerely

John Mann

MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR BASSETLAW