Today Jennie Formby has contacted Labour members asking them to vote for members of the party’s ruling body via online ballot. The general secretary says voting online would “save the party money” and “save paper”.
It comes after a discussion was held in May’s NEC meeting in which members debated whether to send out email ballots or paper ballots. NEC members ultimately settled on a compromise whereby the party would ask members their preference and some could opt out of receiving a paper ballot.
The party could potentially save hundreds of thousands of pounds if enough people opt in to receive an email ballot only, according to one NEC source.
Ballots for the NEC elections will be sent out by post on 26th July.
This is the full text of Jennie Formby’s email to members.
| x, as a member of the Labour Party, you get to vote for members of Labour’s National Executive Committee (NEC). It’s our governing body, overseeing the direction of the party and making decisions about policy.
Elections will take place next month and this time, with your help, we’d like to do things differently. We can save the party money, and save paper at the same time, if you choose to get your ballot by email only, rather than having one posted to you. Whatever you choose, you’ll get the ballot by email, to this email address. But by choosing not to be sent the postal ballot, you can save Labour money to spend on vital campaigns across the UK. With that money we’ll create the resources we need to win Labour seats in every election. Let us know you don’t need a postal ballot before tomorrow night, so we don’t send you one, and we’ll put that money towards future Labour victories. Many thanks, Jennie Formby |
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