Monday 26th September 2011
Due to the lateness of counting the votes on the contemporary motions the results were not declared on Sunday but were announced in the morning the successful motions were:
• Health and Social Care
• Housing
• Jobs, Growth and Employment Rights
• Public Services
• Phone Hacking
This meant that the Milton Keynes CLP contemporary motion on the August Riots did not go through.
The Refounding Labour card vote result from the previous day was also carried.
Glenis Wilmott MEP Leader of the EPLP spoke to the European Parliamentary Labour Party Report.
There then followed the Britain in the World – International Development debate with speakers such as Harriet Harman MP Shadow International Development Secretary, Jim Murphy MP Shadow Defence Secretary, who announced a new £1 membership rate for members of the armed forces, and Douglas Alexander MP Shadow Foreign Secretary.
The Welsh Report followed with Peter Hain MP Shadow Welsh Secretary and Carwyn Jones AM First Minister of Wales speaking to the report.
The Prosperity and Work Debate had Ed Balls MP Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer as the keynote speaker, followed by John Denham MP, Maria Eagle MP and Liam Byrne MP
Before Ed Balls had made his speech during the debate 16 year old Rory Weal a Kent Delegate stole the show with his passionate speech which got a lot of media coverage.
There then followed a vote on the Britain in the World Policy Commission Report which I voted in favour of.
The Scottish Report was lead by Ann McKechin MP Shadow Scottish Secretary, and Iain Gray MSP Leader of the Scottish Parliamentary Labour Party.
There then followed the Prosperity and Work Policy Commission Report Composite Motions which I voted in favour of.
After Conference ended I voted for Rose Burley and Kevin Hepworth for the National Constitutional Committee CLP Section.
Tuesday, 11 October 2011
Labour Party 2011 Annual Conference - Introduction
 |
| The ACC BT Convention Centre Liverpool Docklands location of the 2011 Labour Party Conference |
 |
| Inside the Conference arena |
First Day at Conference
I would like to thank my CLP for giving me the opportunity to attend as this year’s Milton Keynes North CLP Delegate to the Labour Party Conference held at the ACC – BT Convention Centre in Liverpool.
My report is as below and I have given a brief overview of each day’s activities.
Sunday 25th September 2011
I started off by attending the South East Delegate Lunch which was an opportunity to network and to meet new delegates across the South East Region, this was a new idea so that first time delegates felt included and not left on their own, and could take the opportunity to ask questions on voting procedures and any other conference matters.
Malcolm Powers Regional Director Chaired the working lunch with John Healy MP in attendance, I was grateful for the Regional Organiser Dan Simpson explaining to me about the voting procedures and when and where that they would be taking place; I was also given a voting cards booklet.
My first vote was on the contemporary motions of which Milton Keynes North CLP submitted one on the August Riots which were accepted by the Conference Arrangements Committee (CAC) on the first round and grouped with Manchester Central, Sedgefield, Stevenage, and South Dorset CLPs, I was allowed to vote for up to four (4) groups of contemporary motions, the three (3) others I voted for where: Health and Social Care, Housing, Jobs Growth and Employment Rights.
I also used my first card vote on the floor of the conference in favour of the Refounding Labour document.
I attended the opening sessions of Conference where Joe Anderson Leader of Liverpool City Council welcomed Delegates, followed by Merit Award Presentations and a one minute silence for party members who had passed away during the year; there was the outgoing General Secretary’s report from Ray Collins and from the new General Secretary Iain Nicol. I enjoyed listening to Tessa Jowell MP and Ken Livingstone Labour's Mayoral Candidate on the Mayoral campaign and the London Olympics, the OUR Ken website is using new online campaigning techniques including texting supporters who register on the website, and announcing future policies that will put Boris Johnson the present Mayor on the defensive. The rest of the session concentrated on the New Politics Fresh Ideas and Refounding Labour debates.
In the evening I attended fringe meetings on the debate on Localism hosted by the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) with the former Chair Ken Cleary, and the Chief Executive John Findlay, the main speaker was Roberta Blackman - Woods MP, the second event was the South East Delegates Reception with speakers John Denham MP and Ed Milliband MP Leader of the Labour Party.
The Conference Arrangements Committee’s produced daily reports which listed the conference timetable and votes that would be taking place.
There was also a daily Conference newspaper produced by the Liverpool Echo and Trinity Mirror which covered the timetable for conference and the previous day’s proceedings.
My report is as below and I have given a brief overview of each day’s activities.
Sunday 25th September 2011
I started off by attending the South East Delegate Lunch which was an opportunity to network and to meet new delegates across the South East Region, this was a new idea so that first time delegates felt included and not left on their own, and could take the opportunity to ask questions on voting procedures and any other conference matters.
Malcolm Powers Regional Director Chaired the working lunch with John Healy MP in attendance, I was grateful for the Regional Organiser Dan Simpson explaining to me about the voting procedures and when and where that they would be taking place; I was also given a voting cards booklet.
My first vote was on the contemporary motions of which Milton Keynes North CLP submitted one on the August Riots which were accepted by the Conference Arrangements Committee (CAC) on the first round and grouped with Manchester Central, Sedgefield, Stevenage, and South Dorset CLPs, I was allowed to vote for up to four (4) groups of contemporary motions, the three (3) others I voted for where: Health and Social Care, Housing, Jobs Growth and Employment Rights.
I also used my first card vote on the floor of the conference in favour of the Refounding Labour document.
I attended the opening sessions of Conference where Joe Anderson Leader of Liverpool City Council welcomed Delegates, followed by Merit Award Presentations and a one minute silence for party members who had passed away during the year; there was the outgoing General Secretary’s report from Ray Collins and from the new General Secretary Iain Nicol. I enjoyed listening to Tessa Jowell MP and Ken Livingstone Labour's Mayoral Candidate on the Mayoral campaign and the London Olympics, the OUR Ken website is using new online campaigning techniques including texting supporters who register on the website, and announcing future policies that will put Boris Johnson the present Mayor on the defensive. The rest of the session concentrated on the New Politics Fresh Ideas and Refounding Labour debates.
In the evening I attended fringe meetings on the debate on Localism hosted by the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) with the former Chair Ken Cleary, and the Chief Executive John Findlay, the main speaker was Roberta Blackman - Woods MP, the second event was the South East Delegates Reception with speakers John Denham MP and Ed Milliband MP Leader of the Labour Party.
The Conference Arrangements Committee’s produced daily reports which listed the conference timetable and votes that would be taking place.
There was also a daily Conference newspaper produced by the Liverpool Echo and Trinity Mirror which covered the timetable for conference and the previous day’s proceedings.
 |
| Ed Milliband MP addressing the South east Delegates Conference |
 |
| Brian Barton with Ed Milliband MP at the South East Delegates Conference |
 |
| Conference Voting Cards Pack |
Ed's Big Day
Tuesday 27th September 2011
Harry Donaldson Chair of the Conference Arrangements Committee announced that Rose Burley and Kevin Hepworth had been elected on to the National Constitutional Committee CLP Section.
First off there was Brendan Barber Speaker from the TUC, followed by Gareth Thomas MP who was the Co-operative Party Speaker.
There then followed the Creating Strong and Sustainable Communities Report and the Composite 6: Phone Hacking motion, with a Media Panel Discussion lead by Ivan Lewis MP (who in his earlier speech made reference to registering Journalists which the leadership later on distanced themselves from), and Angela Eagle MP, afterwards there was a Green Economy panel Question and Answer Session lead by Mary Creagh MP and Meg Hillier MP.
After Lunch the highlight of the day was the Leaders Speech by Ed Milliband MP, his main themes were responsibility at the top and bottom of society, and a capitalism that works for everyone with good quality public services with help for the squeezed middle, I felt it was a great speech that set the themes that Ed and the Shadow Cabinet will start campaigning on and sets us apart from the Conservative led Government with Labour Fulfilling the Promise of Britain when in Government.
Afterwards I attended a Computing for Labour Training Session with Kevin Wilson and Richard Garvie on the new Committee Room Election software which seemed fairly easy to use and should assist making the use of resources on Election Day more efficient.
Lastly I voted for Seema Malhotra and Rachel Reeves for the Conference Arrangements Committee CLP Section.
Harry Donaldson Chair of the Conference Arrangements Committee announced that Rose Burley and Kevin Hepworth had been elected on to the National Constitutional Committee CLP Section.
First off there was Brendan Barber Speaker from the TUC, followed by Gareth Thomas MP who was the Co-operative Party Speaker.
There then followed the Creating Strong and Sustainable Communities Report and the Composite 6: Phone Hacking motion, with a Media Panel Discussion lead by Ivan Lewis MP (who in his earlier speech made reference to registering Journalists which the leadership later on distanced themselves from), and Angela Eagle MP, afterwards there was a Green Economy panel Question and Answer Session lead by Mary Creagh MP and Meg Hillier MP.
After Lunch the highlight of the day was the Leaders Speech by Ed Milliband MP, his main themes were responsibility at the top and bottom of society, and a capitalism that works for everyone with good quality public services with help for the squeezed middle, I felt it was a great speech that set the themes that Ed and the Shadow Cabinet will start campaigning on and sets us apart from the Conservative led Government with Labour Fulfilling the Promise of Britain when in Government.
Afterwards I attended a Computing for Labour Training Session with Kevin Wilson and Richard Garvie on the new Committee Room Election software which seemed fairly easy to use and should assist making the use of resources on Election Day more efficient.
Lastly I voted for Seema Malhotra and Rachel Reeves for the Conference Arrangements Committee CLP Section.
 |
| Ed Milliband MPs during his speech |
Ed's Q and A with his Friends Eddie and Joan
Wednesday 28th September 2011
Harry Donaldson Chair of the Conference Arrangements Committee announced that Seema Malhotra and Rachel Reeves were elected to the Conference Arrangements Committee CLP Section.
Diana Holland Party Treasurer gave her report, followed by the Membership Report by Ann Black.
There then followed seven (7) card votes on proposed Rule Changes which I voted against as recommended by the NEC on:
• Clause IV
• Membership rules
• Membership rules
• Conference Delegations
• Conference Agenda
• Elections to national committees
• Membership lists
Next up was the Crime, Justice, Citizenship and Equalities Report Where Tessa Jowell MP, Sadiq Khan MP and Keith Vaz spoke. Yvette Cooper MP Shadow Home Secretary made the key note speech which was followed by the Head of the Police Federation, the first time a representative has spoken at any party conference.
There then was the Health Debate with a debate on Composite 5: Health and Social Care which I voted for.
After Lunch was a panel discussion debate on Health led by the Shadow Health Secretary John Healey MP.
This was followed by the Education and Skills Report and debate with a key note speech by Andy Burnham MP Shadow Education Secretary, there was an inspirational speech by a headteacher from a School in Speke Liverpool who had turned the school around and took the School out of OFSTEDs special measures, but this will all change with Michael Gove Education Secretary’s changing the goal post which could close the school down as it would be deemed a failing school.
There was an International Speaker from the Youth wing of the Norwegian Labour Party which was very emotional.
Votes followed on Health, Composite 5: Health and Social Care, Education and skills which I vote for.
In the evening there was a Question and Answer Session by Ed Milliband MP with Eddie Izzard and Joan Bakewell working the Conference Hall with the microphones, this was the first time ever that members of the public were invited into a party political conference; Ed was at pains to ensure that they mainly asked questions and not Labour Party Members.
Questions ranged from Pensions, financing of Hospitals, cuts to community groups, why should young people vote Labour and his relationship with his brother David Milliband MP.
He answered all questions well and is clearly a forum that he excels at enjoying it so much it ran over time and delaying his meeting with the NEC!
Harry Donaldson Chair of the Conference Arrangements Committee announced that Seema Malhotra and Rachel Reeves were elected to the Conference Arrangements Committee CLP Section.
Diana Holland Party Treasurer gave her report, followed by the Membership Report by Ann Black.
There then followed seven (7) card votes on proposed Rule Changes which I voted against as recommended by the NEC on:
• Clause IV
• Membership rules
• Membership rules
• Conference Delegations
• Conference Agenda
• Elections to national committees
• Membership lists
Next up was the Crime, Justice, Citizenship and Equalities Report Where Tessa Jowell MP, Sadiq Khan MP and Keith Vaz spoke. Yvette Cooper MP Shadow Home Secretary made the key note speech which was followed by the Head of the Police Federation, the first time a representative has spoken at any party conference.
There then was the Health Debate with a debate on Composite 5: Health and Social Care which I voted for.
After Lunch was a panel discussion debate on Health led by the Shadow Health Secretary John Healey MP.
This was followed by the Education and Skills Report and debate with a key note speech by Andy Burnham MP Shadow Education Secretary, there was an inspirational speech by a headteacher from a School in Speke Liverpool who had turned the school around and took the School out of OFSTEDs special measures, but this will all change with Michael Gove Education Secretary’s changing the goal post which could close the school down as it would be deemed a failing school.
There was an International Speaker from the Youth wing of the Norwegian Labour Party which was very emotional.
Votes followed on Health, Composite 5: Health and Social Care, Education and skills which I vote for.
In the evening there was a Question and Answer Session by Ed Milliband MP with Eddie Izzard and Joan Bakewell working the Conference Hall with the microphones, this was the first time ever that members of the public were invited into a party political conference; Ed was at pains to ensure that they mainly asked questions and not Labour Party Members.
Questions ranged from Pensions, financing of Hospitals, cuts to community groups, why should young people vote Labour and his relationship with his brother David Milliband MP.
He answered all questions well and is clearly a forum that he excels at enjoying it so much it ran over time and delaying his meeting with the NEC!
 |
| Ed Milliband MP Leader of the Labour Party Questions and Answer Session |
Keep the Red Flag Flying in Liverpool the New Jersulem
Thursday 29th September 2011
Conference opened with the Northern Ireland Report by the Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward MP.
There then followed the Equalities Debate with Yvette Cooper MP.
The NEC Emergency Statement on the BAE Job Losses was moved by Len McCluskey General Secretary of Unite the Union.
The Creating Strong and Sustainable Communities Report was lead by a panel Discussion on Composite 4: Housing, with a video display of photographs around the CLP’s including one of John Healey MP with Milton Keynes members in the Queensway Bletchley!
Michael Cashman MEP and Caroline Flint MP Shadow Government and Communities Secretary also made speeches.
Votes took place on the Crime, Justice, Citizenship and Equalities Report, the NEC Statement on BAE Systems, Creating Strong and Sustainable Communities Report and Composite 4: Housing which I voted for.
The closing speeches were made by Hilary Benn MP Shadow Environment Secretary (who made the joke that when the banking crises took hold he rang his father Tony Benn and said Dad at last we have nationalized the banks!) and the Deputy Leader of the Labour Party Harriet Harman MP who said we had to stop apologizing for what the last Government had achieved.
Maria Eagle MP said she had a special guest to introduce and on came a lady from Speke in Liverpool who introduced herself and said that as from this morning she was no longer a Liberal Democrat Councillor and had just filled in her Labour Party Membership Form, this was because of the lies of Nick Clegg MP Leader of the Liberal Democrat Party on his u turn on tuition fees, and now her daughter cannot afford to go to University.
We were handed a flag and song sheet by the stewards with the first chorus of the Red Flag and the words to Jerusalem which I sang very badly but luckily a young person’s local Choir lead in the renditions!
Conference opened with the Northern Ireland Report by the Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward MP.
There then followed the Equalities Debate with Yvette Cooper MP.
The NEC Emergency Statement on the BAE Job Losses was moved by Len McCluskey General Secretary of Unite the Union.
The Creating Strong and Sustainable Communities Report was lead by a panel Discussion on Composite 4: Housing, with a video display of photographs around the CLP’s including one of John Healey MP with Milton Keynes members in the Queensway Bletchley!
Michael Cashman MEP and Caroline Flint MP Shadow Government and Communities Secretary also made speeches.
Votes took place on the Crime, Justice, Citizenship and Equalities Report, the NEC Statement on BAE Systems, Creating Strong and Sustainable Communities Report and Composite 4: Housing which I voted for.
The closing speeches were made by Hilary Benn MP Shadow Environment Secretary (who made the joke that when the banking crises took hold he rang his father Tony Benn and said Dad at last we have nationalized the banks!) and the Deputy Leader of the Labour Party Harriet Harman MP who said we had to stop apologizing for what the last Government had achieved.
Maria Eagle MP said she had a special guest to introduce and on came a lady from Speke in Liverpool who introduced herself and said that as from this morning she was no longer a Liberal Democrat Councillor and had just filled in her Labour Party Membership Form, this was because of the lies of Nick Clegg MP Leader of the Liberal Democrat Party on his u turn on tuition fees, and now her daughter cannot afford to go to University.
We were handed a flag and song sheet by the stewards with the first chorus of the Red Flag and the words to Jerusalem which I sang very badly but luckily a young person’s local Choir lead in the renditions!
 |
| Harriet Harman MP Deputy Leader of the Labour Party during her speech |
 |
| Flag and song sheet of the Red Flag and Jerusalem |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
