Role of ordinary members/ internal democracy Flashcards
What are the activities of the grass root members in the Labour Party?
Subscription, fundraising, canvassing, election day, volunteering, promotion, local branch, committee meetings, advertising
How are grass root members involved in selecting the leader?-lab
Ordinary members her to cast vote in OMOV ballot to choose leader from shortlist of nominated candidates ( using AV) also elect deputy leader
What are grass root members role in selecting parliamentary candidates?-lab
Hopefuls apply. Local party draws up a shortlist. Constituency members vote in person at local meeting or by postal ballot.
What are grassroot members role at conferences and the importance of conferences?-lab
All members can attend. Conference is sovereign. All policy decisions have to be approved
Bed by conference. (NEC)
What are grassroot members role in manifesto and policy making?-lab
Manifesto is produced by party conference.
All members get a vote on all policies.
What are the activities of grassroot members in the Conservative party?
Same as labour , “shy Tory effect”
What role do grassroot members play in selecting the leader?-con
Conservative M.Pa produce a shirt,it’s of 2. All ordinary members then vote for a new leader (only since 2001)
What role do grassroot members play in selecting parliamentary candidates?-con
Hopefuls apply. Local party draws up a shortlist. Constituency members vote in person at local meeting or by postal ballot.
What role do grassroot members play at conference and the importance of conference ?-con
Conference has no formal power to make policy. All members entitled to attend. Advisory
What role do grassroot members play in manifesto and policy making?-con
Members contribute to a “policy forum” that produces reports to advise party conference. Party leaders write manifestos
Why was Jeremy Corbyn’s election to party leader surprising?
surprisingly elected due to Telegraph encouraging voters to join Labour and vote Corbyn.
How does 2020 labour leadership election show the influence of unions within the labour party?
Emily Thornsbury and Jess Phillips did not receive enough support from trade unions or affiliations so had to withdraw.
How does the labour system create tensions between leader and deputy?
because different but similar systems are used to elect them.
How is the labour system more democratic than the conservative one?
because in Conservative system, Mps have far more influence then ordinary members.
What is the NEC?
sovereign body of the labour party is the conference, when conference x in session sovereignty of labour party lies with the NEC. All policy decisions have to be approved by NEC whilst conference x in session.
Arguments to support claim that power flows down from leadership in Conservative party and upwards from membership in labour party?
Con party- recommendations made by members are only advisory.
lab party-labour uses AV to select leaders which gives members more votes.
Arguments to challange claim that power flows down from leadership in Conservative party and upwards from membership in labour party?
lab party-ordinary members only get to vote for new leader once MPs and affiliated organizations have produced a shortlist.
con party-members can contribute to a policy form that produces reports for party conferences to consider.
How did results show that Liz Truss would find it hard to lead in parliament?
4 out of the last 5 MPs have now entered office without winning a general election.
Why is the lib-dem leadership seen as the most democratic?
because its a federal system and ordinary members are involved in the nomination process
