Mixed picture for factions as NEC election results revealed

Results from the latest elections to the National Executive Committee have been revealed, with a mixed picture for some of the party’s different factions.

Labour to Win saw all four of their CLP candidates elected to the National Executive Committee, while soft left faction Mainstream, contesting its first NEC election, saw two of its three candidates elected.

The Momentum and CLPD-backed Centre-Left Grassroots Alliance (CLGA) saw two of their three candidates elected, with Yasmin Dar missing out on re-election.

New faction Restoration, which has focused on renewing Labour’s working-class roots, saw one of their candidates, Andrew Achilleos, elected to the NEC.

‘No more concentration of decision-making in the hands of a few’

Mainstream’s Cat Arnold, who was re-elected to the NEC in the first stage of the ballot, said she was “absolutely thrilled” to be re-elected and to be joined by her fellow Mainstream representative Kerry Postlewhite.

“I will never take this position lightly. I thank all who have placed their faith in me, including my fantastic, NEC friend Ann Black, who has taught me so much.

“These results show us that members want a voice across the breadth of our movement and democratic say across members, unions and affiliates. No more concentration of decision-making and power plays in the hands of a few; I am on the NEC with Kerry to bring this to an end.”

‘Result is strong endorsement of direction party has taken’

Re-elected NEC representative Abdi Duale, from the Labour to Win faction, said: “This result is a strong endorsement of the direction our party has taken and of the changes we have made to rebuild Labour as a serious, disciplined and election-winning force.

“Members have had a clear choice about the future direction of our party. The message from this election is that they want us to build on the progress we have made, not turn the clock back.”

‘Considerable support remains among members for transformative Labour Party’

CLGA’s Jess Barnard said it was “wonderful” to be re-elected and said: “These results demonstrate that considerable support remains among our members for a transformative and democratic Labour Party.

“The new leadership should hear this message and work to rebuild trust with members through creating meaningfully democratic structures and implementing a transformative policy platform, which drives up living standards and provides hope for voters once again.

“I look forward to working as part of that coalition willing to fight for member democracy.”

‘A working-class voice on the NEC’

Andrew Achilleos, Restoration’s first elected representative on the NEC, said he was “over the moon” by the result and told LabourList: “Some will be shocked by the result, but Restoration was founded knowing that thousands of Labour members are desperate to see more working class MPs and more working class members in our party again. That starts with having a working class voice on the NEC.

“I want to take this opportunity to send commiserations to my comrade Stella Tsantekidou who didn’t make it this time, but ran a strong campaign. It’s quite a mix on the CLP section, and I’m looking forward to working with people from all traditions within the movement, to help make our party as strong as it can be for the next election.”

Achilleos, although elected on the Restoration slate, is also a Mainstream member.

‘Mixed NEC an opportunity to demonstrate how factions can work well together’

Emma Burnell, editor of LabourList, said: “We are a Labour Party that has strength across our different factions and traditions and this result reflects this.

“This mixed NEC is an opportunity to demonstrate how factions can work well together to strengthen the party as a whole.

Full list of elected NEC candidates

• Cat Arnold (Mainstream) – elected Stage 1
• Jess Barnard (CLGA) – elected Stage 2
• Angela Davies (Labour to Win) – elected Stage 3
• Gemma Bolton (CLGA) – elected Stage 12
• Jane Thomas (Labour to Win) – elected Stage 12
• Kerry Postlewhite (Mainstream) – elected Stage 12
• Abdi Duale (Labour to Win) – elected Stage 12
• Andrew Achilleos (Restoration) – elected Stage 12
• Peter Mason (Labour to Win) – elected Stage 12

A full breakdown of the results can be found on the Labour Party’s website.

Elsie Greenwood was elected as the NEC’s Youth Representative, with Claire Holland and Peter Wheeler elected in the Local Government Division.

However, former MS Michael Antoniw missed out on being elected as Welsh Representative by 115 votes, being defeated by Ann Jones.

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