Thread by @LauraPidcock

[thread] Members are the Labour Party & they should have control over it. When we talk about control, it’s often misinterpreted. Control is fundamentally about democracy. This is a very important principle to many Labour members. Why is it so important? (1/8) Vote #GV6

Many people on the left who have joined @UKLabour over the years, have done so because of a determination to change the system. They have joined because of the burning passions they hold and to participate in political activity which is meaningful, not superficial. (2/8)

They don’t want to have politics to be done to them & certainly don’t want what we stand for to be determined by a handful of MPs.

So, why is democracy so important to socialists? (3/8)

When you don’t have a lot of money, or control over society, you can nevertheless win struggles & change things through organised participation. Democratic structures & processes should enable you to organise & win your political position, provided there’s enough support. (4/8)

Historically, people in powerful positions in @UKLabour have often worked to reduce the power of members, e.g taking policy-making away from the annual conference & substituting it with a national policy forum with a really convoluted & alienating way of formulating policy. (5/8)

It’s really important that we build our structures from the bottom up, shift power from the centre of the party (be that the NEC, Labour HQ or the Leader’s Office) & place as much of it in the hands of the members. Members must be trusted to determine the party’s direction. (6/8)

That’s true of who those who represent us in Westminster too. MP’s don’t have a divine right. When representing the party, you’re borrowing your power from the people who put you there - members & constituents. It’s vital that members have the power to hold MPs to account. (7/8)

Democracy & power in our party shouldn’t be the preserve of party staff, those who lead the party or disproportionately in the hands of elected members, but distributed. That is not only the way to engage & enthuse our members, but to connect us to our communities. (8/8)