Minutes of the LRC Conference/AGM 5 February 2022
The Chair Matt Wrack began the meeting with opening remarks which included a tribute to Mick Brooks.
Apsana Begum MP had sent apologies. Jeremy Corbyn MP spoke and this was followed by a discussion and questions.
Two Conference Arrangements Committee reports were presented by Terry Conway on behalf of the CAC. An amendment to CAC 1 on the use of ‘the chat’ at the conference was proposed by Tina Werkmann. A vote was taken (25 for, 29 against, 1 abstention). The amendment was not carried.
The vote on CAC 1 was carried (45 for, 1 abstention)
The vote on CAC 2 was carried (44 for, 1 abstention)
Graham Bash (the political secretary) presented the Political Statement from the National Executive Committee. The report addressed:
a. Building the resistance.
b. Trade unions.
c. Local government.
d. The refugee crisis.
e. International issues.
f. The emergency on planet earth.
g. An addendum on Afghanistan.
The report was followed by a discussion and a vote (49 for, 1 against).
After the break, Pam Fitzgerald chaired.
Constitutional amendments were proposed by Terry. Votes were taken on the following proposed amendments:
a. Affiliated TU places on the EC. (49 for, 1 abstention). Carried.
b. Those co-opted or appointed between AGMs. (41 for, 0 against). Carried.
c. Rights of a group of 10 members in good standing. (48 for, 0 against). Carried
d. The establishment of a steering group. (41 for, 9 against). Carried.
The advertised speaker Paul Holmes (UNISON) was not present.
The following resolutions were presented to the conference and discussed:
1. LRC affiliation to the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (Pete Firmin moved, Moz Bulbeck Reynolds seconded). (50 for, 0 against). Carried.
2. Declaring a housing emergency ((Martin Wicks moved, Amit Malde seconded. (50 for, 0 against). Carried.
3. Local government cuts (John McGrory moved, Patrick Hall seconded). (45 for. 1 against, 1 abstention). Carried.
4. Open selection (George Massey, Ian Hollingworth seconded).
The resolutions were taken in 2 sections with a speaker in the middle.
Neda Abu Zant, a Palestinian trade unionist spoke with Reem Abou El Fadl interpreting.
John Lister spoke about the threats to the NHS followed by discussion and questions.
Following a summary from Matt Wrack, the meeting was closed to non-members and nominations were taken for the positions of NEC members, officers and the Briefing editorial board. All positions were unopposed but Votes were taken.
The following were duly elected:
President: John McDonell nominated by Matt Wrack, Pete Firmin
NEC members who are officers
Chair: Matt Wrack nominated by Graham Bash, Barb Roberts
Vice chairs: Pamela Fitzpatrick nominated by Graham Bash, Ben Selby and
Terry Conway nominated by Graham Bash, Pete Firmin
Political Secretary: Graham Bash nominated by Patrick Hall, Simon Crew
Administrative Secretary; Bisi Williams nominated by Pam Fitzpatrick, Barb Roberts
Membership Secretary: Patrick Hall nominated by Leeds LRC, York LRC
Treasurer: Alison McGarry nominated by Matt Wrack, Patrick Hall
Northern regional organiser John McGrory nominated by Leeds LRC, York LRC
Midlands regional organiser: Ben Selby nominated by Bisi Williams, Matt Wrack
Southern regional organiser: Ian Malcolm-Walker nominated by Pete Firmin, Terry Conway
Trade union organiser Pete Firmin nominated by Bisi Williams, Graham Bash
IT officer: Ben Sellers nominated by Bisi Williams, Alison McGarry
Web Manager: Ian Morris nominated by Pete Firmin, Terry Conway
Disability officer: Barb Roberts nominated by Terry Conway, Matt Wrack
Womens officer: Sandra Wyman Nominated by Terry Conway, Barb Roberts
BAME officer: Andrea Gilbert/Amit Malde Nominated by Pete Firmin, FBU delegation
Youth officer: Craig Lloyd nominated by FBU delegation
LGBTIQ officer: vacant
NEC members
Rebceca Gordon-Nesbitt (F), nominated by Graham Bash, Bisi Williams
Leah Levane (F), Graham Bash, Alison McGarry
Tina Werkmann (F) nominated by Graham Bash, Terry Conway
Austin Harney nominated by Terry Conway, Graham Bash
Steve Wright nominated by Ben Selby, Terry Conway
Simon Crew nominated by Graham Bash, Terry Conway
Martin Wicks nominated by Pete Firmin, Alison McGarry
Auditors (2)
Tony Holder nominated by Alison McGarry, Terry Conway
Mark Wehrly nominated by Terry Conway, Bisi Williams
Briefing editorial board:
Terry Conway nominated by Graham Bash, Pete Firmin
Pamela Fitzpatrick nominated by Graham Bash, Pete Firmin
Jackie Walker nominated by Pete Firmin, Terry Conway
Tina Werkmann nominated by Graham Bash, Terry Conway
Graham Bash nominated by Pete Firmin, Terry Conway
Simon Crew nominated by Graham Bash, Terry Conway
Pete Firmin nominated by Graham Bash, Terry Conway
Mike Cowley nominated by Graham Bash, Terry Conway
