Lily M standing as women's officer again

[ScarletBegonias]

Gather LM is saying that they had to give up the previous post because they left the area (to go to Goldsmiths) but they're now standing for the women's officer post in Lewisham Deptford CLP. Voting is on Sunday, apparently.

That depends on the set up - I think ideally, that yes, the specific representation officers (Women’s, BAME, LGBT, Disabilities) should be voted on only by those registered as belonging to that group.

However, if a CLP follows the ‘All members’ format, and doesn’t have specific forums, then all members vote on all positions.

Of course, the smaller CLPs that are more likely to be all-member, are also less likely to have contested positions (I think my CLP has had only one applicant for BAME and Disabilities for several years running, the LGBT position hasn’t be filled in yonks and the WO had two applicants a couple of years ago, one of whom pulled out on the night of the vote in support of the other one, who has since been re-elected unnopposed).

Before the membership increase of recent years, many of these positions (along with the chairs, vice chairs and secretary roles) were decided by the same 10 or 20 people, who would just occasionally swap roles!

Sorenipples I hadn’t really thought about it (the only category relevant to me is ‘Woman’) but yes, I would imagine you indicate which of these groups you belong to simply by ticking boxes on your membership application, which is in effect, self ID.

Gill Hart used to be Chair of the CLP. I saw a picture of her with Vicky Foxcroft, the MP, on Twitter. I hope this means she has lots of local support.

Screen shot from Lewisham momentum
It literally says you can self define

I noticed a lack of age diversity in the lewisham momentum photo of support for lily.

How has momentum been allowed such a grip over labour? Is it clear who they are? In this instance lewisham momentum looks like a bunch of students, surely not a good representation of such a diverse set of constituencies. Do they exercise similar power over MP selection?

Gill won, LM was voted down at the first vote for deligate so was unable to stand for Chair which was the intention.

Thank goodness for that

Wonder who lily will blame?

Excellent news for Lewisham.

Gill sounded perfect for the role.

What was attendence like? What was the atmosphere?

Sorry white I dont know a huge amount about labour procedures- could you explain a bit more?

As far as I was aware, in the case of disability while there's nothing to stop people self defining and naming themselves as disabled, there is a clear legal criteria which has to be proved through medical records/assessment if any disability related right is being requested under the EA, such as EA related arrangements, exemptions or to prove discrimination. Do I have that wrong?

Congratulations Gill!

I think Momentum’s influence is variable depending on areas.

In most CLPS (especially those with active MPs) the longer standing members still have the most influence - they have a breadth of longstanding local contacts that younger people cannot compete with. Ultimately, the people who can get the most support on the day of the vote are elected.

Full disclosure - I’m a momentum member and hold an elected position locally - I think we have around 100 members to 1300 odd total labour in our area. Most of our active members are actually fairly elderly and have moved over from the greens or have come back to labour membership after a hiatus (many left over Iraq).
Our inactive members are mostly parents of very young families that struggle to get to evening meetings. We aren’t an area popular with students though.

I must say I am impressed that Lewisham’s women’s forum is on a Sunday afternoon - I hope it has a crèche - that’s the kind of thing women really need to enable us to take fully active roles in politics.

Try and get the voting/attendance numbers?

And was it better attended than last years?

CONGRATS GILL!

Great news!
Well done Gill xx

WEll done Gill. She sounds like the perfect candidate for the role.

Good!

So very pleased for Gill, congratulations

Please remember that many transsexual women would not dream of putting in for a "women only " shortlist/ election. The whole idea stinks. You'd hope that they would grow up a bit, and one day soon would say " what was I thinking of? " .

There are a number of older transsexual women in the Labour Party who have taken places on AWS, Women's Officers, Jo Cox program etc.

Sadly, I don't think its solely an issue of age.

Sounds like the best woman won :)

Kay totally agree - my trans friends wouldn’t dream of putting themselves forward to represent women, or compete against women in sports, or take scholarships, bursaries and prizes designed to redress historical sex inequality.

I personally think we should be working towards political representation that is more reflective of modern Britain and that includes transpeople, but simply lumping Transwomen in with women isn’t the appropriate way to do it.

(but also, R0 is correct, those that do stand for women’s positions aren’t always/only younger transpeople, nor is this practice in anyway confined to Labour - it’s a cross party issue)

nor is this practice in anyway confined to Labour - it’s a cross party issue

This is really important to emphasise

Hurrah!

Has LM offered their congratulations to Gill yet? Offered 'sisterly' support?