Labour Party: "Slumping" Membership Figures

From the left Labour perspective of Dave's Part to the right Tory stance of the IDD there is interesting coverage of Labour membership figures. Now said to have "plummeted" to 177,000 by Iain Dale - who credits no source - or "slumped" by Dave Osler who does (Press Association).

This is down from around 200,000 in autumn 2005 and is therefore a 'plummet' or a 'slump' of around 6% per calendar year. Even the plummet from 400,000 was, on average, at a similar rate - 50% over ten years. Dale claims the Tories have a bumper 250,000 members, though this is a hotly disputed figure and pot, kettle and 'black bastards' remarks spring to mind here. Many membership organisations have been losing members.

Way back in September 2005 your blogger was sent to Conference in Brighton as Manchester Central's delegate. On the way there from an Anti War demo in london - in the company of LATW stalwarts Graham, Stephen and Andrew, and interspersed with Radio5Live commentary on the great West Ham 1-1 "victory" over the Arse, your correspondent remonstrated with the CAC (Conference Arrangements Committee) to see out Contemporary Resolution reinstated.

This was to recognise the losses in voters, members, councillors and councils controlled under Blair and to gently set the wheels in motion for an eventual succession contest. This would probably have happened on a similar timetable to the one we have just had if the resolution had been both passed and actually enacted. Not something that goes without saying.

CAC tried to suggest it was not "contemporary", although hitting the 50% mark of 1997 membership was pretty significant and timely. And then CAC claimed hilariously that the matter was "already on the agenda". In three places! Further representations ensued but the resolution was spiked.

The CAC had also disingenuously given the Resolution the tag "Membership" rather than a more sensible "Blair Costs Votes" and as knocked back resolutions are published only as a list of titles there was no indication of the content on the record.

The CAC said the resolution was being referred to the NEC for determination. Sadly despite a couple of polite reminders and polite promises of action from Sir Jeremy Beecham nothing has been done.

Meanwhile I was informed by a number of party workers that I'd be wasting my time trying to get called to the platform on any matter whatsoever - something which was tested with attempts in three or four debates without success. This even extended to areas where I could clearly be relied on to be on message e.g. exposing Lib Dem treachery.

I had not voted for the resolution that was chosen by the constituency. It was the big route one hoof up the pitch rather than the patient build up I wanted. I had instead devised a resolution about a parallel universe. Premiership football. Where born and bred reds were being usurped in influence by Americans.

Where born and bred reds were seeing the FA and leading clubs furthering the international agenda at the expense of the domestic. Where the sense of ownership and loyalty of the born and bred reds was waning. In short there was a crisis of leadership at united and in the game in general.

Eventually I did get up to the platform as the very first speaker on the last day. Asking that the agenda for the day be referenced back to the CAC and that space be created for a fraternal greeting from Labour CND. To be delivered by one Walter Wolfgang, Deputy Chair of that body. This motion got more votes than expected but was not passed.

Walter could have replaced a session with the renowned election fighters and pavement politicians Baroness Amos and Lord Faulkner which was going to teach activists to "engage with voters". Ha ha ha, bloody ha.

These anecdotes aside LOL note that Labour (a) still have a massive number of levy paying Trade Unionists, making a corrected Tory figure look rather pathetic; and (b) will enjoy a membership bounce over the next 12 to 24 months as Gordon gets busy.

I may stick some links and images in later. Busy busy busy.