Who else joined the Labour Party today? Apparently 1000% increase in membership today...

[DavidHameron]

DH and I rejoined after years out. Important, now, I think to rebuild...

a big red baloooon

I think I need to go to bed now.

Wow membership is £39 per year. It's only £25 for the Conservatives. They also ask which type of events you'd be interested in (lunches, dinners or cocktail parties).

No, membership varies according to income...

£19ish for me

The beer is better though at the Labor Club

So you join a party for the perks? No conviction? No core belief in justice for the common man?

We know what you are, we're just asking how much you cost.

Oh God yea, I only joined my Labour Party so I can have breakfast at my local surestart centre, guffaw!

No, the only reason I would join the Labour would be to be able to have a say in who its next leader would be.

"Yes 1000% is a leeeetle dubious"

Well, erm yes.

You have your say in the next leader through your vote, you don't have to join any party to do that.

I joined because I'd like to get a little more involved in trying to 'up' Labour in our area as its now a Lib Dem seat. (It hasn't just switched it was LD last time too)

I feel guilty I didn't do so before and waited till this mess happened before I did.

It's not dubious in the sense you mean though Cartoose. It's an impossible figure (you can only have a max of 100% of something) but I've no doubt Labour have had a mahoosive membership boost today, however you calculate it...

Nope, my electoral vote gives me no say in who the party leader is. That said did the average Labour voter have any say on Gordon being leader?

Being a party member does give me a say as to who the local party candidates will be.

If only that were true, Ladymuck. As a long time party member, I had absolutely no say in voting for or against Gordon when Bliar stepped down - the only vote I got was for Deputy Prime Minister. (Yes, I'm one of those people who the DM hate for voting for Harriet, sod it, she's actually of the generation I look up to when it comes to being working mothers.)

I have been wondering if, or rather when, the leadership is up for grabs, party members will at last get a say. I should imagine I am far from alone in feeling hugely disgruntled about having a party I believe in led by an unelected authoritarian war criminal. I still voted Labour yesterday, but only because my local MP has an impeccable voting record. (To my mind.)

SO just be warned, if you are about to shell out for membership it doesn't guarantee you'll have a say in Gordon jumping or being pushed or who replaces him. (Please God NOT Banana man Milliband.)

"So you join a party for the perks? No conviction? No core belief in justice for the common man? We know what you are, we're just asking how much you cost."

Nice

If that was directed at me, I worked my ass off to help the parliamentary candidate. Me and the kids got abuse on the door step every single day when we were campaigning. We discussed and listened to people. We helped a lot of people to register to vote, even if they weren't going to vote for the party.

Wanna talk to me again about convictions?

Membership is £39 a year? It's £10 for the Lib Dems.

"It's not dubious in the sense you mean though Cartoose. It's an impossible figure (you can only have a max of 100% of something) but I've no doubt Labour have had a mahoosive membership boost today, however you calculate it..."

Yeah, ok, ok I'll agree with that. You're just jealous because we've got Boris though

I'm interested in joining but have a few questions. Once I've finished uni I want a civil service or local govt job. Will I have to declare membership? Will it stop me from being able to join certain professions?

If you are a local government employee then there are certain jobs which are politically restricted. This prohibits you from certain types of political activity. Generally speaking, the most senior posts are politically restricted; Director-level types reporting to the Chief Executive. It is entirely possible to be a serving councillor of a local authority and work for a neighbouring authority.

I'm not sure about Civil Service restrictions, but I'm pretty sure that employment in local government or civil service posts won't bar you from joining a party.

Local government employees have to make an annual declaration of interests, activities etc which may conflict with their employment.

Membership fees are voluntary, but they give a guide based on your annual salary/income - you can pay as little as £1.63 if you want.

Thanks for the advice llareggub

More pork pies by the Labour party.

explain Crystal?