One criticism made of Ed Miliband’s recent speech on the Labour-union link was that he failed to provide enough detail on how and when the proposed changes, most notably the introduction of an opt-in system for affiliated members (which will cost Labour millions in funding), would be introduced. Would the reforms be in place before the next election?
It’s a point the Labour leader will seek to address at an event in Coin Street, London, tonight with voters, trade unionists and party members. In remarks before the Q&A, Miliband will announce that at the next meeting of Labour’s NEC he will ask members to agree that a Special Conference should be held next spring to approve the changes. It’s an echo of the approach previously adopted by Tony Blair, who similarly held a Special Conference in Easter 1995 to approve his revision of Clause IV, and means that the Labour leader won’t have to wait until the 2014 conference to seek formal endorsement of the reforms. The announcement should go some way to appeasing those who have criticised the lack of consultation with party members. Following Miliband’s speech, Compass head Neal Lawson wrote: “Once Labour would have called a special conference; now everyone just waits for the leader’s speech.” The Labour leader has just confounded the sceptics.
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