Why are London Labour attacking Young Labour democracy?

By Mark Ferguson / @markfergusonuk

Update: The cancelled meeting is now back on, the Labour Party have confirmed, after having fully considered their decision this afternoon. No doubt the process of electing 72 candidates will be complex – but it’s democracy.

London Labour Party have cancelled a meeting planned for this Sunday that should have selected London’s representatives to the national party youth conference in Glasgow.

The 72 positions up for grabs are of interest as – along with representatives from across the country – they will elect the new Chair of Young Labour. Both of the candidates for Young Labour Chair – Christine Quigley and Susan Nash – are believed to be against the move.

Despite at least two emails being sent to young members in London recently from the secretary of London Young Labour that confirmed a meeting would take place, LabourList understands that the meeting has been cancelled by party staff. The delegation will now be filled by the first 72 members to have applied for the delegation – contrary to the selection procedure that had been trailed in advance. At least one member of Labour’s NEC is said to be investigating this already.

It is sad to see an attack on basic democracy from the party. Many young people have joined the Labour Party recently – if their first interaction with the party is to see democracy being ignored, then I wouldn’t expect them to stay involved.

A root and branch reform of party structures should weed out this sort of unhelpful meddling.

Update: I’m told that the party have taken a “common sense” approach to this. In emails seen by LabourList, it is argued that “Carrying out a ballot would be impracticable” and that there is “no approved process” for such an election.

Essentially, it appears that an election isn’t taking place because there are more candidates than there were places. Some might call that democracy…