Labour Party
Conference 2004 – draft proposals for rule changes
Westminster parliamentary candidates – Let
CLPs choose (2)
Proposed draft constitutional amendment
The Labour
Party Rule Book 2003, Section A, Chapter 5 – Subsection 5C
Paragraph 5C.8 reads as follows:
1.
(a) The
selection of a parliamentary candidate
2.
shall
not be regarded as completed until the
3.
name of
the member selected has been
4.
placed
before a meeting of the NEC and her
5.
or his
selection has been endorsed. Until
6.
such
endorsement has been received the
7.
member
shall not be introduced to the public
8.
as a
prospective candidate. Where
9.
successful candidates are not members of
10.
the national
recommended panel, or if in the
11.
case of
sitting MP a referral from the
12.
Whips
office is received, there should,
13.
however, be an endorsement interview in
14.
each
case before a recommendation is made
15.
to the
NEC.
16.
(b) If the
NEC is satisfied that there is prima
17.
facie
evidence of a breach of rules by an
18.
individual, the NEC shall have the right after
19.
such an
investigation and interviews with the
20.
individual as the NEC shall consider
21.
reasonably
practicable and appropriate to
22.
decline
to endorse or, where already
23.
endorsed, rescind endorsement of such
24.
individual as a prospective parliamentary
25.
candidate.
Line 10: Delete: “recommended”
Line 15:
After “NEC” add: “Such endorsement can be withheld only on the
grounds of material breaches of the selection procedure by the
member selected or if the National Constitutional Committee had
disciplined that member for a serious offence”
Line 16:
After “satisfied”, delete: “that there is a prima facie evidence of a
breach
Of rules by an individual, the NEC shall”, and insert: “that grounds
exist under
Rule 5C.8(a) above to withhold endorsement the NEC shall, after
receiving a
report from the National Constitutional Committee,”
Line 18:
Delete: “after such investigations and interviews with the individual as
the NEC
shall consider reasonably practicable and appropriate”, and insert:
“after the
endorsement interview.”