from Unitas
Negotiations have taken place over the last two years between the E,C, of the London Labour Party and N.E.C. over the future of the LLP. The present structure, created by Herbert Morrison, gives direct (equal) representation to constituencies and trade unions, with some co-operative and other seats, on an executive which is responsible to a democratic annual conference nominated and elected by the affiliated organisations.
The LeL.P. was built as the policy-making body for the L.C.C. = and on these policies Labour fought and won successive elections in the inter-war period until it has won control of the L.C.C, This success was partly due to the existence of an efficient, but democratic central policy-making body directly in touch with working people in London through the constituencies, unions and co-ops. The achievements of the L.C.C. undoubtedly helped in the return of an increasing number of Labour M.P.s from the London areas
Under Morrison the very success of the LeL.Ps led to friction with the national party and the N.E.C. which feared a rival centre of power, This resentment has continued and with the setting up of the G.L.C. the national party stalled on the L.L.P.‘s proposals that it should become a Greater London Labour Party, and instead set up a temporary co-ordinating committee, to run the G.L.C. elections, The co-ordinating committee structure was criticised by most constituencies as being undemocratic, top-heavy and too far removed from the ordinary rank and file member and Labour voter,
A new temporary co-ordinating committee has now been set up, represente ing the 32 borough co-ordinating committees, and with much smaller representation for the T.U.s and co-ops, This is to last until after the next General and G.L.C. elections when the whole question will again be reviewed by the N.E.C, The committee will be staffed and controlled by the N.E.C. Meanwhile the London Labour Party remains in existence and continues to press for a new Greater London Labour Party with a democratic annual conference directly electing a working executive, whose main function would be to formulate the policies on which the G.L.C. fights its elections, Most Londoners from Bob Mellish, the chairman, to the rank and file, feel that unless strong policies are developed specifically for the needs of the London area = housing, transport, health centres, comprehensive education, the police, the City of London, etc., Labour could well lose the next G.L.C. elections,
A committee to co-ordinate the work of individual boroughs has its uses - these should not be confused with the functions of democratic, long-term policy making. Representatives elected from Borough Committees, preoccupied with the day-to-day problems of local government, are no substitute for a directly elected annual conference made up of delegates from constituencies, trade unions and other organisations, It is said that the N.E.C. fears the setting up of a Greater London Labour Party will diminish its own authority , as it would cover 106 consitituencies, The present organisation already covers 71 constituencies without causing undue difficulties increasing its coverage from $ to 1/6 of the parliamentary seats in the country is unlikely to create new problems,
Further, the London organisation has always been restricted to matters related directly to the London area, and would continue to be so, The NEC, must accept that the responsibility ultimately for winning the G,L.C, and London seats for Labour rests with members in that area and they should set up the organisation that they consider necessary for the jobe