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Labour’s CLP reorganisation set to be scrapped following boundary change u-turn

August 6, 2012 6:36 pm

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As well as potentially giving Labour a huge advantage at the next general election, another advantage to the party of Nick Clegg’s boundary change u-turn is that an expensive and complex restructure of the party’s internal structures will no longer be neccessary.

Last week we noted that many CLPs would cease to exist in 2013 as the party planned for life under the new boundaries, but today’s announcement from the Deputy PM looks to have brought a halt to those plans.

LabourList understands that MPs were told today that things have changed as a result of Clegg’s announcement, and any potential reorganisation of CLPs is on hold, with the party circulating more information as a later date.

Yet it seems almost impossible that any form of CLP reorganisation could take place without boundary changes, and as it looks improbable (at least) that such changes will now take place, it’s safe to say that existing CLPs are likely to last through to the next election.

There will be many happy MPs (and activists) tonight, now that such a logistical nightmare has been avoided.

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  • http://www.facebook.com/ian.robathan.5 Ian Robathan

    obvious and good news, no one really wanted this.

    Now lets get on and select for ALL the seats we do not hold now !!

    • Redshift

      I think we should at least wait until the Lib Dems actually do what they say and vote down this boundary review. Otherwise we’d have egg on our chins if we then found that the Liberals change their minds (let’s face it, this would be nothing new) and make some last minute deal. 

      • http://www.facebook.com/ian.robathan.5 Ian Robathan

        of course that could happen Red but the reality I think is that this is really dead. What we should do ASAP is to move a motion against it within days of Parliament getting back so it is on the record.

      • ThePurpleBooker

        Earth to Redshift, HE HAS ALREADY! The statement will be announced tomorrow but Clegg said that the Lib Dems will not for boundary changes in his press conference which’ll mean there will inevitably be a majority against the boundary changes no matter what. Also, there is the possibility that there will be a backbench rebellion from Tory backbenchers who’ll refuse to support it. Downing Street will officially get rid of the boundary changes because it’s dead in the water. There is now officially no chance of a Tory plurality at the next election. All gone.

        • Redshift

          Earth to PurpleBooker…

          Clegg has said
          Clegg has not yet done. I think the difference between the two has a track record of being quite significant, and whilst I think in this case they will vote it down, it is simply a matter of common sense to not trust Nick Clegg as far as you can throw him. Until the deed is done, what he says can’t be taken for granted. 

          • PeterBarnard

            You have a fair point, Redshift (Mr Clegg saying and doing). Two common expressions come to mind, (i) the only certainties in life are death and taxes, and (ii) don’t count your chickens …

            What  Mr Clegg has done, with a monumental degree of irresponsibility, is introduce a massive uncertainty into this process. The Boundary Commission is not obliged to present its recommendations until 1 October, 2013 and how long will they sit in Parliament until voted on – six months? More?

            I think Ian R also has a fair point – moving a motion vs the proposed changes and Ed Miliband could ask Mr Clegg to make a commitment in the HoC regarding his intentions. This can be properly phrased as in the public interest.

            There’s also the question of the LD “payroll vote.” It would be untenable for LD ministers to vote against the BC recommendations and stay as part of the government. RIP the Coalition.

            Mr Clegg has opened up a whole new can of worms. To be fair, he has been sorely tested by the 91 Conservative rebels on HoL reform. What a mess!

          • Robertcp

            It is a mess but I think that the Coalition will last until the next General Election.

            Labour’s opportunism in making clear that it would vote against the programme motion has succeeded in stopping the boundary changes.  I am, however, disappointed that an opportunity for a mainly elected second chamber has been lost. 

          • PeterBarnard

            You are probably correct, Robert (Coalition lasting), especially with the 55% vote (if my memory serves me correctly) now required to call an election.

            Another 2 and 3/4 years with these people is going to be a long haul and not a pretty sight.

          • Chris Matheson

            Peter is right, as is Redshift. Let’s wait and see what the Lib Dems actually DO in the vote. such weak and vacillating jellies they have been so far when standing up for a position against the Tories.

            The government now has very little it can agree on and two and half years to fill, with an economy going down the pan but with a philiospohy that the government can and should do nothing to rescue it. Result? Chaos.

            Or maybe not. Look for new proposals shortly that can unite both coalition parties and damage Labour on party funding. There are a whole bunch of union political fund ballots coming soon (they have to take place every ten years) and so expect mischief fromthe government as they force through their views instead of working to reach a cross party consensus as has been the case previously.

          • PeterBarnard

            Thank, Chris, except that I’m not sure that I’m “right.” I think it’s a case of bu**ered if we do, and bu**ered if we don’t.

            At the moment, the BC, by law, has to present its recommendations to government before 1 October 2013. The Labour Party’s plan was to start rearrangement of CLPs following publication of the recommendations, and this would have given about 20 months to do this.

            Now, we cannot be sure with, perhaps, only a year to go.

            Interesting what you say about political fund ballots. Give me a ring – perhaps you may want to speak on this at the September general meeting?

          • ThePurpleBooker

            What opportunism? Explain what opportunism?

          • ThePurpleBooker

            Fair enough but he is in Government. Cameron will have to withdraw boundary changes, seen as if there is a vote not only will Cameron lose but the Tory backbenchers will be livid and frothing at the mouth. They might even topple him over it.

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  • ThePurpleBooker

    The National Executive Committee and start the selection processes for all the marginals that we need to win – NOW! No time to lose. Also, it would be interesting for them to pilot a few open primaries in some marginals where we need to win but have tough opponents for eg. Croydon Central or Bermondsey and Old Southwark.

    • http://www.facebook.com/ian.robathan.5 Ian Robathan

      agree, we started a fair few, now time to kicks start all the others on hold 

  • http://twitter.com/matt_j_little Matthew Little

    Not in Scotland it won’t be…

  • Darren Clifford

    Happy that we don’t have to go through this reorganisational mess. In Lancashire however, we have somewhat significant County Council elections next May. So I’d rather we got stuck into the Tories and then selected lancashire parliamentary candidates next summer. personally i don’t support a wholly elected second chamber, I want to scrap all hereditary priveledge in the lords (and everywhere else) but i think democracy benfits from having non politico’s like robert winston in the second chamber. and before anyone says it, democracy and voting aren’t the same thing. The greeks invented the thing and they never voted for anybody.

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