Thursday, April 23, 2009
Labour Party National Youth Day
Last weekend I was down in Kent at our National Youth Day at the Priestfield Stadium in Gillingham. It was strange going there for a political event - I had once been to the Priestfield a few years ago for a football match, though thankfully this time we weren't holding the event in January on the uncovered away end. The venue was excellent and I had no complaints in that regard, however as many people have said the location was rather unfortunate. I have nothing against Kent as a place - my parents live there in Bexley and my sister was born in Maidstone - just its a bit tricky to get to as a venue for a national event - particularly a one day one. It was held alongside South East Regional Conference, presumably in a bid to save money. It has been well documented how monumentally skint the party is and I can understand the decison, all I will say is that I hope that having had the 2007 event in Glasgow and the 2005 event in Gateshead, perhaps we could have something a bit more centrally located in UK terms next time?! Obviously being a Yorkshire and Northern Lincs rep I would always argue things could be done in our region, but York, Leeds and Sheffield to name a few all have pretty good transport links and are relatively easily accessible from most parts of the country.
The day itself was an historic one. The Chair of Young Labour was now to be directly elected by delegates from CLPs and Young Labour Groups, for the first time since the extinction of the dinosaurs. Which may be a slight exaggeration. But historic nonetheless. However the election did not happen. But not because of the usual backroom deals and associated nonsense, this time it was because Sam Tarry had run a fantastic campaign that had clearly inspired lots of young people across the party and those people who didn't want him elected clearly realised that they didnt have a candidate who could beat him. I know Sam through Compass, and from that I've seen just how hard he works. That sounds like a typical rent-a-quote for a manifesto, but it is really true, his workrate and dedication is phenomenal and he is clearly driven to get things done. I know Young Labour will benefit immensely from that. Stephanie Peacock was also re-elected unopposed as NEC Youth Rep. I don't agree with Stephanie's politics, but to be fair to her she has clearly done a lot of work in building Young Labour over the past two years and the much needed changes including the OMOV ballots (which saw loonies like me getting elected!) happened on her watch, and she deserves real credit for that. Similarly to the Chair situation, I know think the 'coronation' wasn't anything to do with any deals, simply the lack of a candidate to rival Stephanie with a realistic chance of winning.
The other elections were for the equality positions: LGBT, BAME, Women, Disabilities. Congratuations to all the candidates who got elected in some very close elections - I was particularly gutted for my mate Toby Brown who narrowly lost disabilities and Cat Smith, who I also know from Compass, who just lost out in the Women's election.
Aside from the elections, the best part of the day was the small group discussions where we talked about ideas on particular issues. I was in the economy group (least I think I was - was late in there!) - lots of stuff about taxation and the response to the financial situation. I think these sessions are always the best at any youth event, where more people actually get the chance have their say and the discussion flows better. I am tired of going to conferences to hear speeches from ministers that take up large chunks of the event, where they talk and talk but have nothing to really say. This is not a particular criticism of any individual - ministers have to stay on message - more the format that leaves loads of motivated young people listening for hours and even when we do get to ask questions theres only time for a few and you have no opportunity to come back on the response you get. Those questions that were asked were generally very thoughtful and searching - I was pleased to hear the sentiments coming out of them. With more time for participation from the delegates, our events would be excellent. I did, however, find the responses to a question from my fellow York delegate, David Levene, about trade union laws particularly sad. David has blogged about this on Labour List so I wont say anymore, just that I would have at the very least expected a degree of empathy from a Labour panel about it, which only came from Dawn Butler.
So lots to be getting on with on Young Labour committee, an enjoyable day overall. I was also pleased to meet a few delegates and observers from Yorkshire who I didnt know - we had a great contingent from the region considering the distance, including a very big one from Hull and East Yorks. Well done everyone and if you have any comments about Gillingham let me know.
Last weekend I was down in Kent at our National Youth Day at the Priestfield Stadium in Gillingham. It was strange going there for a political event - I had once been to the Priestfield a few years ago for a football match, though thankfully this time we weren't holding the event in January on the uncovered away end. The venue was excellent and I had no complaints in that regard, however as many people have said the location was rather unfortunate. I have nothing against Kent as a place - my parents live there in Bexley and my sister was born in Maidstone - just its a bit tricky to get to as a venue for a national event - particularly a one day one. It was held alongside South East Regional Conference, presumably in a bid to save money. It has been well documented how monumentally skint the party is and I can understand the decison, all I will say is that I hope that having had the 2007 event in Glasgow and the 2005 event in Gateshead, perhaps we could have something a bit more centrally located in UK terms next time?! Obviously being a Yorkshire and Northern Lincs rep I would always argue things could be done in our region, but York, Leeds and Sheffield to name a few all have pretty good transport links and are relatively easily accessible from most parts of the country.
The day itself was an historic one. The Chair of Young Labour was now to be directly elected by delegates from CLPs and Young Labour Groups, for the first time since the extinction of the dinosaurs. Which may be a slight exaggeration. But historic nonetheless. However the election did not happen. But not because of the usual backroom deals and associated nonsense, this time it was because Sam Tarry had run a fantastic campaign that had clearly inspired lots of young people across the party and those people who didn't want him elected clearly realised that they didnt have a candidate who could beat him. I know Sam through Compass, and from that I've seen just how hard he works. That sounds like a typical rent-a-quote for a manifesto, but it is really true, his workrate and dedication is phenomenal and he is clearly driven to get things done. I know Young Labour will benefit immensely from that. Stephanie Peacock was also re-elected unopposed as NEC Youth Rep. I don't agree with Stephanie's politics, but to be fair to her she has clearly done a lot of work in building Young Labour over the past two years and the much needed changes including the OMOV ballots (which saw loonies like me getting elected!) happened on her watch, and she deserves real credit for that. Similarly to the Chair situation, I know think the 'coronation' wasn't anything to do with any deals, simply the lack of a candidate to rival Stephanie with a realistic chance of winning.
The other elections were for the equality positions: LGBT, BAME, Women, Disabilities. Congratuations to all the candidates who got elected in some very close elections - I was particularly gutted for my mate Toby Brown who narrowly lost disabilities and Cat Smith, who I also know from Compass, who just lost out in the Women's election.
Aside from the elections, the best part of the day was the small group discussions where we talked about ideas on particular issues. I was in the economy group (least I think I was - was late in there!) - lots of stuff about taxation and the response to the financial situation. I think these sessions are always the best at any youth event, where more people actually get the chance have their say and the discussion flows better. I am tired of going to conferences to hear speeches from ministers that take up large chunks of the event, where they talk and talk but have nothing to really say. This is not a particular criticism of any individual - ministers have to stay on message - more the format that leaves loads of motivated young people listening for hours and even when we do get to ask questions theres only time for a few and you have no opportunity to come back on the response you get. Those questions that were asked were generally very thoughtful and searching - I was pleased to hear the sentiments coming out of them. With more time for participation from the delegates, our events would be excellent. I did, however, find the responses to a question from my fellow York delegate, David Levene, about trade union laws particularly sad. David has blogged about this on Labour List so I wont say anymore, just that I would have at the very least expected a degree of empathy from a Labour panel about it, which only came from Dawn Butler.
So lots to be getting on with on Young Labour committee, an enjoyable day overall. I was also pleased to meet a few delegates and observers from Yorkshire who I didnt know - we had a great contingent from the region considering the distance, including a very big one from Hull and East Yorks. Well done everyone and if you have any comments about Gillingham let me know.
Hello everyone. I finally made it to the blogosphere. Its here for two reasons: firstly because I said I'd do it if I got elected in the Yorkshire and the Humber election for Young Labour National Committee to let you know what I'm up to and hopefully keeping you informed and updated with its business, goings on, scandalous rumours etc. Secondly as a general soapbox for me to get things off my chest about the party and politics generally and hopefully contribute something small to the debates that are going on.
Oh and please excuse the basic layout, once I manage a few posts I'll try to work out how to make it all look good!
Oh and please excuse the basic layout, once I manage a few posts I'll try to work out how to make it all look good!
