It is very good that candidates for posts in Portsmouth LP
are putting their statements on the Party’s Facebook discussion forum. However, not all candidates are on Facebook, nor
are all members in the discussion forum, so although this initiative is very
welcome, it is a poor substitute for a properly organised electoral process. What really ought to happen is that the EC
should circulate to all members copies of the candidates’ CVs and personal statements.
Moreover, the election should be open to all members - not just those who
are able to attend the AGM. (Obviously,
many members have jobs that prevent them attending, or have caring
responsibilities, or are ill or infirm – or just don’t like going to
meetings). In any case, if we were
seriously expecting all 1500+ members to participate in the election, we would have
to hire the Guildhall to accommodate them.
So there is a democratic deficit.
As it happens Southsea Branch did pass a resolution earlier
in the year asking the EC to consider these problems and make a recommendation. Obvious possibilities would be
- · a postal or online ballot (which would require a rule change, subject to NEC approval)
- · proxy voting (i.e. mandating your nominee to vote on your behalf at the AGM)
- · circulation of candidates’ details to all members (as suggested above) along the lines of the Leadership and NEC elections.
Unfortunately, for various reasons, Southsea’s resolution
never got debated at the AMM, and it appears that the reduced EC has not tackled
the issue.
Let us hope that the new (full strength) EC will come up
with a solution.
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