Earlier this year I attended the Netroots UK event organised by Sunny and friends. I did a pitch in a workshop for what became known as the Labour Transparency Project.
This has been flickering in the background waiting for a lead from the top to agree to release some of the Party’s internal datasets to support its development.
Here’s what I wrote on 11 January 2011:
Project: Carrot and stick
The Who, what, why, where and when of the Labour Party
Summary: a member is entitled to:
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an overview of the Party
-
be enabled to see how s/he might fit in at a glance, and
- hold those in elected office to account
the proposed web-based service aims to address those requirements
The Who?
Leader [NB to win had to seek members' votes in a Leadership election, expected to lead in Parliament, the media and the party, but still ....accountable?]
Hi – I’m Ed. I was elected in 2010 to lead the Party
Hi – We’re the National Executive Committee. We are elected to run the national party on your behalf between Annual Conferences
Hi – I’m [ ] the General Secretary. You employ me to manage the national party on your behalf. I also manage the staff that support local volunteers like you.
Hi – I’m [ ] your local regional/district/constituency/branch secretary. My job together with other volunteers is to organise regional/district/constituency/branch party meetings to mount campaigns, socials, debates, fundraising and business on your behalf between Annual General Meetings
[Lots of pages Who's who in the Labour Party from bottom up/top down to support scripts enabling user whether cap doffer or upstart to get info sought]
The WHAT describes the relationship between the individual and the WHO
Leader can set/shape expectation/hope for members, whether individually or collectively at all levels of party activity.
So what’s the message/what are the messages?
Motives for being in membership range from showing support by paying a subscription to [being] an aspiring future leader
In the first instance as a branch/CLP activist all I would ask is that members keep personal details up to date so that we can keep in touch.
Up to date personal details are vital to inform members about their rights to have a say in policy making, and elections.
These messages could be expressed by the leader/key stakeholders – national or local to:
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raise member awareness
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underlining his personal commitment to accountability
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encourage a sense of mutual commitment to the party
In addition he could invite members to offer:
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expertise to policy making
-
time to run as candidates for elected office
as well as the conventional volunteer offer of time and/or money
Available data sets:
MemberCentre now holds Member details linked to electoral ward, develoved nation, parliamentary, Euro constituencies
This offers prospect of showing an individual [when] electoral contests [will take place] well in advance, important when too many remain uncontested. Dates of elections, nomination/selection deadlines, party campaign timetables/schedules could be added.
A further layer (to be added) could link to electoral cycle budgeting/fundraising at a ward/branch/CLP level
MemberCentre also hold branch and CLP officer details. But not meetings/dates and times. Though some are published on MembersNet. PPC selections are published but usually too late for anyone other than a well-placed insider.
Top down details are going to need to be assembled
The shadow cabinet list is available. Ditto the NEC, But even NEC member pages will have to be assembled. Ditto regional boards, district officers, and when and where these bodies meet. Securing access to their agendas, supporting papers and minutes unless approved at the top and agreed to locally will be a challenge.
As for details of regional staff, an audit will be required starting with what is available on their websites/local knowledge.
pk
11 January 2011
editing changes today in [ ]
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