The December 3 national committee decided by the smallest of margins that Momentum’s first conference will see delegates vote on everything – structure, constitution and policy motions. There will be no OMOV (one member, one vote), despite the best efforts of Momentum company director Jon Lansman to stuff the NC with delegates favourable to his conservative outlook for Momentum.
Also, the newly elected conference arrangement committee has a small left majority, which – hopefully – should prevent those crucial decisions being overturned.
On the negative side, an early vote to replace the current steering committee and have new elections was lost with 29 to 30 votes.
Clearly, all is still to play for in Momentum.
Here are a couple of reports:
- By Josie Runswick, one of the two LGBT+ reps on the Momentum National Committee. This usefully lists all the motions submitted, including those voted down. It shows for example the convoluted and deeply undemocratic plans Jon Lansman presented and which would have committed the organisation to an OMOV vote after conference.
- By Steering Committee member and AWL member Jill Mountford
- By Ed Whitby, Northern (North East and Cumbria) regional delegate and AWL member