Key national debates
Further background and reading on the key debate
There are numerous potential structures for the party. In interviews, Corbyn has been emphasising his desire for an “umbrella” group that would be able to support independents in elections and local groups, whilst others have stressed the need for a mass-membership socialist party. Proto-branches should discuss the pros and cons of potential formations and develop positions ahead of a national founding conference.
This list is by no means intended to be exhaustive or argue for particular positions beyond ensuring the party is democratic and socialist. Local groups will have other issues they wish to discuss and debate. The relationship between the national party and the devolved regions, for example, will be particularly pertinent to those in Scotland and Wales. The authors may have missed debates that will be fundamental in the new party. What is most important at this early stage is that these debates are happening in an open, comradely way and a healthy democratic culture is fostered in local proto-branches ahead of a national meeting.
How does the membership work?
The democratic structure of the party could take many forms and this table aims to give a simplified summary of what party membership could look like:
| Local structure | National structure | Party Type |
|---|---|---|
| National membership with local, one-member-one-vote (henceforth OMOV) branches | OMOV/Delegate conference | Mass membership party |
| Federal OMOV branches with greater autonomy | Federal OMOV/Delegate conference | Local membership parties with looser national affiliation |
| Autonomous local groups - potentially local coalitions of existing socialist groups or OMOV groups. | Federal conference | “Umbrella” party which coordinates national actions and endorses candidates during elections |
| Semi-autonomous local groups, mirroring national structures, similar to the local trades councils and national TUC. | Federal conference | “Umbrella” party which coordinates national actions and endorses candidates during elections with stronger steer from nationally-affiliated groups. |
How is the national leadership elected?
National leadership options will likely take the form of a single leader, a co-leadership model, or collective leadership. Whatever form national leadership takes, there will be the question of how that leadership is to be elected.
Broadly, there are two main ways of doing this, each with their pros and cons:
- Delegate conference - encourages deeper engagement through local debates ahead of a national conference but potentially favours the most engaged members.
- One-member-one-vote (OMOV) - has a broader but possibly shallower level of engagement.
How should we relate to trade unions?
Trade unions form the basis for working class power in our workplaces and beyond, and many are well resourced with a lot of members, so the question of how the new party should relate to their local and national formations is crucial. Whilst the specifics of any relationship will be linked to the form the national structure takes, the key question is whether trade unions should have a structural voting bloc or simply encourage their members to get involved.
- Formal affiliation - the trade unions, through their national leadership, would have a formal voting bloc within the new party. This structurally connects the workers movement, and its resources, to the new party but empowers the bureaucracy of union bosses who have often acted as a conservative element within the left.
- Rank-and-file orientation - this approach aims to appeal to trade unionists to become rank-and-file members, rather than their unions affiliating at a national level. This has the benefit of ensuring that every member has equal democratic involvement, but the party as a whole is potentially disconnected from the existing structures of the workers’ movement.
The resources of trade unions are not limited to finances. They offer political education and organising expertise, as well as many committed activists. However, proto-branches will have to consider the realities of the quality of democracy in trade unions and the currently-existing transparency, accountability and commitments of union leaders and those in positions of power.
What are the key principles of the party?
On what principles should the party be founded? Above the political programme, there will be an overarching agenda of aims that set out the vision for a socialist party, rather than specific policy positions.
Principles
Focus for a statement of intent ahead of the founding conference.
Programme
Consideration for interventions at the founding conference.
Policies
Future objective for the new left party.
Early debates and contributions from across the left have indicated a number of potential founding principles. These could include:
- Socialism and anticapitalism
- Opposition to NATO, US hegemony, and imperialism
- Unconditional solidarity with oppressed groups, especially (but not limited to) the people of Palestine, trans people, migrants, refugees, etc.
- Social justice and anti-racism
- Internal democracy and openness
Is this purely an electoral vehicle?
The approach to elections is another area that will be mostly informed by the fundamental structure of the party; a federal organisation is more likely to be purely electoral with its constituent groups operating between elections, whilst a mass membership party may choose only to allocate some of its activists’ time and resources to elections and instead prioritise workplace and community organising.
The key question here is: What is the party for?
Ultimately, this is the fundamental question for how the left should respond to the ongoing crisis and stagnation of capitalism and build a socialist future.