Conference report of MSF
for Labour,
corrected for spellings
errors (15!) by amicus.cc
For those of you who where there Thank you again for all the
hard work during or prior to conference. For those who where not here is a
short report on a successful campaign at the last ever MSF conference.
President: Congratulations to Jack Warner successfully beating Dave Nellist now
a repeat loser at conference Result 353 to 255
Vice President Congratulations to Michelle Evans winning 360 to 268 over Gill
George, a hard fought campaign between 2 female NHS Reps. Despite a more active
campaign by the opposition the majority is almost triple that of last year.
The double 2 years in a row is not a bad way to bow out of MSF and into AMICUS.
In SOC as last year helpful and sensible candidates were elected by the Craft,
CMA, NUIW, CPHVA and Tobacco Sector.
In the Staff sector, Anne Trafford (who deserves congratulation for her
handling of conference) and Dave Cooke were elected.
Commiseration's to Jo Westerman, Bernie Weston, Dee Leybourne and Tom Cooke who
came close.
I have to admit not as much work was put into this election as our
understanding is with the agreement of the new rule book the now SOC will never
actually meet.
In terms of motions and debates there were less very unhelpful motions on the
agenda than in previous years thanks to work done in advance. An attempt to try and force the union to
take up a position against the Euro always and for ever was defeated.
There was a good and powerful debate on the issues around recent events in
IRAQ, an attempt to force a donation to the Stop the war campaign was blocked
but a motion demanding we affiliate was passed even if only by a handful of
votes a reminder that on occasions we are still in the position of every vote
counts.
Overall the conference had a lot less disruptive points of order and challenges
of SOC or the chair than in previous years and regular attendees were shocked
to find us ahead of schedule for most of day one.
Rules Conference
On Tuesday we reassembled for the rules conference with the AEEU delegates in attendance. For information I give the report on the "Left" website,
”DAY FOUR TUESDAY - RULES CONFERENCE
After only three speakers in the debate, someone moved that they go straight to
the vote. This was passed overwhelmingly.
The new rule book was then accepted on a show of hands with an estimated
3 or even 4 to 1 vote in favour. A conference that was scheduled
to go on to 5pm finished at 11:30am. Ex-President, Right-winger and conference
chair Dave Trafford, arguably one of the most competent chairs of conference
for many a year, appeared upset at the early motion to go straight to the vote:
He had been carefully following his practised tactic of calling all the Left
speakers first at the time the move to end debate was made.”
I think for once we can agree particularly in the comments about Dave he had a
very good conference.
You are now entitled to a couple of days well earned rest and then we have to
start concentrating on the upcoming elections for the new NEC to take office in
January.
Over the course of conference discussions have taken place amongst colleagues
regarding potential problems in agreeing a finalised set of candidates, most
problems seem to have been resolved and thanks to the people involved for
making progress. A list of candidates be provided soon.
We have had some criticism that we should have finalised this already I and all
those involved agree, but for various reasons we are where we are. however for
information the Far Left unity gazette list of candidates which has been
finalised now turns out to be a less than final list as in the industrial seats
with 22 male AEEU to 9 MSF candidates for a possible 32 seats and some of the
names now seeking to jump ship from this sinking ship as they realise the far
left political views of some of those they have become associated with.
Well that’s all for now folks
Dan Smith
National Chair
Amicus For Labour [THEY HAVE CHOSEN A NAME AT LAST!]
dansmith17@yahoo.com
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