Activists accuse conference body of “stitch up” over immigration policy

Anti-racism activists have accused the key committee responsible for organising Labour conference of a “stitch up” designed to block members’ plans for a radical immigration policy.

LabourList understands that the conference arrangements committee (CAC) has decided to separate out motions into two subject groupings, ‘Immigration’ and ‘Immigration Detention’, in a move that could prevent key motions from being prioritised for debate at conference.

A proposal promoted by the Labour Campaign for Free Movement (LCFM), submitted by five local parties, called on the party to promote immigration, extend free movement and back other specific policies – including the closure of all detention centres.

A separate campaign, Labour Against Racism and Fascism (LARAF), drafted a motion that was sent to conference by seven local parties. It called on the next Labour government to “end the detention estate” as well as “adopt a community-led response for migrants”.

Labour MP and anti-racism campaigner Clive Lewis commented: “It seems ridiculous that two motions with very similar purposes – in fact overlapping demands – would be put in separate parts of the conference agenda, risking neither getting prioritised.

“Migrants’ rights are not a side issue – they are a huge and central part of what Labour stands for, especially at a time when the government is drifting to the far right. If there is a debate to be had, we need to have to have the debate out in a comradely way at out biggest democratic event. We cannot have this issue pushed behind closed doors.

“The CAC should look at this again, because there is a real danger of a stitch up being perceived here, on an issue that is crucial and deeply felt by members.”

Update, 2pm: CAC member Seema Chandwani has tweeted that she and Billy Hayes cast their votes at the meeting in support of the subject groupings being combined. Hayes has tweeted that they lost the vote by four to two.

Update, Wednesday 18th: Chandwani says she has spoken to the CAC chair, Harry Donaldson, who “agreed (without hesitation) we will review the categorisation of these motions today”. She added: “It will still go to vote but it gives us all an opportunity to view with fresh eyes taking on board the views expressed.”