Labour Move To Restrict Membership Data Triggers Internal Row
2 min read
Labour is to limit who in the party's ruling body receives membership figures, triggering an internal row, PoliticsHome understands.
At a meeting of the National Executive Committee this week, attendees were informed that from now on only NEC officers would receive membership data, rather than the full NEC.
NEC officers represent a small section of the ruling body, and include senior party figures like Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and Chair Ellie Reeves.
The decision comes amid warnings from the left of the party that the political direction currently being pursued by the Labour government, which is widely seen as trying to appeal to Reform voters, is costing the party members and the fees they pay.
The stated reason for the move to restrict knowledge of membership numbers, according to attendees, is to prevent leaks.
Those who opposed the move said it was unprecedented, and argued that membership figures had not previously been treated as confidential information.
At the same meeting, the NEC voted to exclude transgender women from Labour's positive action initiatives relating to women, like all-women shortlists, PoliticsHome understands.
The ruling body also voted to postpone the women's conference, pending a review into how to ensure that the party adheres to the recent Supreme Court ruling on the definition of a woman for the purposes of the Equality Act.
A Labour Party spokesperson told PoliticsHome: “Like all other organisations, the Labour Party must ensure all Party procedures comply with the Supreme Court’s clear ruling.
“Labour is clear that everyone in our society deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. The party will work closely with individuals and local parties to implement the necessary changes with sensitivity and care.”
On membership figures, a Labour source added that they would be made more widely available at party conference.
A spokesperson for left-wing campaign organisation Momentum told PoliticsHome that the decision to no longer publish the figures "speaks volumes about the consequences of Starmer's reactionary policies on the rank and file".
"Cancelling Women’s Conference and Equalities structures and excluding trans women from All Women Shortlists is not only an attack on Labour Party democracy, but also on the rights of minorities within the Party."
They added: "However, it is positive to see growing numbers of trade union reps willing to speak out and vote against discriminatory decisions on the NEC."
At the same meeting, Rayner, Reeves and Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson took questions about the direction of the government, PoliticsHome understands.
