report back

Stephanie Peacock West Midlands Representative on Labour’s National Policy Forum

National Policy Forum Report December 2010

Report Back:
NPF Gillingham
The NPF met in Gillingham on the 27 November. Ed Milliband opened
the day with a speech focusing on fresh ideas to win back the trust of
the country - how the Labour Party needs to become a community
organisation rooted in understanding people’s concerns and opposing
the ConDem cuts.

You can watch his speech here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YegiVo_v1Yk
There was a really positive atmosphere at
the NPF, with members enthusiastic
about renewing our Party and taking the
fight to the Tories. During the day I
attended the Education and Economy
workshops - I raised the need for Labour
to be vocal in opposing the abolition of
the Education Maintenance Allowance,
just one example of the drastic and
devastating cuts that are being imposed.

The EMA has made a huge difference in

helping so many young people stay on in
full time education. As a teacher in a
comprehensive school I know that a lot of
the young people I teach will struggle to
stay on in education without that support.

Partnership in Power Review

There was extensive discussion about the Partnership in Power review with lots of thoughts on how we can
improve our structures to be more effective. There will be a consultation for members to share their views
until 10 June 2011 - please do get in touch if you have any thoughts.

After Hope not Hate campaigning in Sandwell recently, I held an informal policy forum with Lucy Seymoor
Smith at the West Midlands Regional Office to hear members’ views ahead of the meeting in Gillingham. I
raised the views expressed: that the Party needs to better resource the NPF and acknowledge members’
input and responses when local parties go to the trouble of discussing issues and submitting their ideas.
Regional Policy Forums
The West Midlands National Policy Forum Reps will be working with Michael Cashman MEP to run a series
of policy forums across the region so that members can get involved in the process - share their thoughts
on how we renew our Party’s processes and policy.

The events will be begin in January and lead up to Regional Conference next year. More details will be sent
out to members and CLPs in the New Year but it would be great to see lots of members come along as we
hope to have MPs and Shadow Cabinet members come along as well.

The programme will run as follows:

Friday 28 January: Birmingham (evening)

Saturday 29 January: Shrewsbury (morning)

Stoke (afternoon)

Saturday 12 February: Bromsgrove (morning)

Coventry (afternoon)

Saturday 5 March: Black Country (morning)

If you would like me or one of the other NPF Reps to come along to your CLP just get in touch as below and
let us know.

How to contact me Get in touch

Stephanie Peacock ‣ Are you interested in attending a Regional Policy
Forum and would like more information?
West Midlands CLP Representative
National Policy Forum ‣ Do you have a view on how to improve Labour’s
policy making process?

 07962 228 280 ‣ What issues would you like the West Midlands
Policy Forums to focus on?

 stephaniepeacock@gmail.com ‣ Do you have any questions about the National

Policy Forum or my report?
$ 20A Ross, Rowley Regis ‣ Would you like me to report back to your CLP?
West Midlands Please do get in touch with me by email or post
B65 8BW (details left) with your name, contact details and
Constituency Labour Party.

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