Those who remember when Labour was last in opposition will recall the power the National Executive Committee wields when the party isn’t in government, and the key role it has to play in getting us back there.
Along with your ballot for the leadership election, readers will also have a chance to choose the NEC members who represent grassroots party members – in other words, our voice on the NEC. Progress is supporting a number of hard-working Labour activists – Ellie Reeves and Peter Wheeler, two excellent incumbents who champion the views of party members both when it’s easy and when it’s not; Deborah Gardiner and Shaukat Ali do the same on National Policy Forum and would continue this on the NEC. Finally, two Progress favourites – Oona King and Luke Akehurst – are both worthy of your vote. Each will bring fresh, member-focused perspectives to the NEC, ensuring the Labour party is match fit for the next cycle of electoral challenges.
I’m confused about how this endorsement came about. It is outrageous that members’ money has been spent supporting a group of candidates that the membership have not been consulted about supporting. There is no democracy, or accountability in this decision, which I am struggling to reconcile with the fact that Progress proclaim to be a progressive organisation.
I would be grateful if the organisation took the time to explain to their members how and why these candidates are being supported, and if they are even members, especially since other candidates are members and have been overlooked in favour of supporting a slate.