ASSOCIATION OF LABOUR COUNCILLORS EXECUTIVE - ELECTIONS 2013

The NEC of the Labour Party agreed, through Refounding Labour, to transform the Association of Labour Councillors (ALC) and empower it to become an effective voice for councillors within the Party. 

Realising that Labour councillors are the backbone of the Labour party, the thermometer of public opinion, and a crucial part of the Labour Party's policy development, as they see the effect of policy implementation on the ground in our communities, Refounding Labour recommends better representation for councillors within the party. The status and support given to Labour councillors needs to be increased throughout the party

Labour Party members can see more about waht Refounding Labour means for Councillors on Membersnet here.[log-in needed]

As part of this process, it was agreed that the ALC would elect an executive committee and start to exercise a series of affiliate rights such as sending delegates and motions to Annual Conference, receiving a vote in any future leadership election as well as the establishment of an annual ALC Conference.

I am standing for election to the ALC Executive as SW Region representative and this is the e-mail I've been sending to councillors around the region.

Dear Labour Councillor

The Refounding Labour document gave a commitment from the Labour Party to support local councillors, and one way of achieving this was relaunching the Association of Labour Councillors [ALC].

I trust that you have have received an e-mail from the Electoral Reform Society with instructions on how to vote in the elections for the SW Region representative on the new ALC Executive.

I had hoped that each candidate's statement would have been attached to that e-mail rather than on the actual voting page. That way, you would have had time for consideration and reflection ahead of the actual voting process.

For you information, I am sending you an expanded version of my candidate statement.

The South West may have little Parliamentary representation, but we do have two more seats than many regions in the South, the area known as the Southern Front where Labour needs to make significant gains in 2015 if we are to form the next Government

The number of Labour Councillors across Cornwall, Devon and Somerset is growing, with both Plymouth and Exeter being Labour administrations with strong working majorities

We are setting the agenda for Labour's revival in the South but are we being heard nationally?

For example, neither Exeter nor Plymouth were represented at the recent Bedroom Tax summit, Why not? Do the big players think that we do not have our own housing stock? Or is it they have forgotten that there ARE Labour Councils and Labour Councillors here in the  South West

The South West region needs strong representation to champion the two bright beacons, and significant dots, of red in amongst the swathes of blue and yellow. So as well as representing the larger groups in the region, I will engage to become the voice of the smaller ones as well, most importantly the significant groups of one, who must feel very isolated.

I want to represent our regional views on the new ALC Executive and with that in mind, I would welcome your vote for me.

I totally embrace social media and will endeavour, if elected, us use these to help connect Labour councillors across the region .

If you want to find out more about me and my views, you can always follow my twitter feed @CllrPaul4Cowick. 

You will see me talking about culture and arts, social justice, welfare cuts (especially the Bedroom Tax), the NHS, changes to Criminal Justice system, public transport, speeding in 20mph zone  and lots else besides.

I am pioneering the use of Storify and use the medium to compile stories from issues that interest me. These feeds can be found at http://storify.com/CllrPaul4Cowick.

I write the (very) occasional blog and use it to ensure a web-presence of ward newsletters.

With my ward co-councillor, Cllr Heather Morris, I help maintain the Cowick Labour Councillors Facebook homepage. This can be found at https://www.facebook.com/CowickCityCouncillorsHomepage

Remember, voting closes will close at 17.00 on 29th July and the results will be released announced by email on the 5th August. This deadline will be strictly adhered to and there will be no exceptions made.

Regards

Paul

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Paul Bull
Labour and Co-operative Councillor for Cowick
5 Cranbrook Road
EXETER EX2 5HG
(01392) 275886
paul4cowick@aol.com

Follow me on twitter:

@CllrPaul4Cowick

Many things that interest me are pulled together in Storify threads:

http://storify.com/CllrPaul4Cowick