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LABOUR conference could call for a end to the Israeli arms trade and an end to the siege on Gaza this week — but only if it beats other issues to make the agenda.
Delegates from constituency Labour parties (CLPs) will vote on Sunday in a “priorities ballot” to determine which issues will be debated.
The Palestine Solidarity Campaign is calling for delegates to vote for a hard-hitting motion on the crisis in Gaza submitted by over 20 local party branches. It calls for an “immediate lifting of the blockade of Gaza” and the suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. Train drivers’ union Aslef has also submitted a motion on the subject.
Conference can debate motions on up to eight topics — four choices from CLPs and four from affiliated unions. But if the two sections of conference vote for any of the same topics, fewer motions will be debated. It is understood other unions will not be voting for the Gaza motions, which are classified as “Middle East” on the ballot.
Campaign for Labour Party Democracy (CLPD) secretary Peter Willsman said: “It’s crucial CLP delegates do not vote for any of the four subjects favoured by the unions. The four union choices will be debated regardless.”
Motions are grouped by subject by the party’s conference arrangements committee and then “composited” in discussions with concerned delegates.
It is understood unions will vote for a motions on “global human rights,” which covers abuses in Colombia and Qatar, on rail, on “low pay and insecurity” and on “work in the contemporary economy.”
Alongside the Middle East motions, CLPD is recommending constituency delegates vote for motions on the NHS, on housing and on anti-semitism and Islamophobia.
An Aslef source said: “We’re working very hard to get Gaza onto the conference agenda and we hope CLP delegates will support it in the priorities ballot.”
CLPD’s opening rally will be held tonight (Saturday) at the Jury’s Inn hotel, 56 Great Bridgwater Street, Manchester. Speakers include Diane Abbott MP, Unite’s Diana Holland and Aslef’s Tosh McDonald.
