Young Labour (United Kingdom)
Encyclopedia
Young Labour is the youth section of the British Labour Party
. It is open to all Labour members between the ages of 15 and 26, and membership is automatic for those between 15 and 27 joining the Labour Party .
It exists to involve young people in the Labour Party and ensure that the aspirations of young people are reflected in Labour’s policies in government – whether that be at a National, European, Scottish, Welsh or local level.
It was founded in 1993 by a Labour Party annual conference motion in Brighton, proposed by Tom Watson
(later a Labour MP), seconded by Brian Whitington, then Chair of the Labour Party Young Socialists
(later a 2005 Labour Party candidate in Twickenham) and supported by then NEC Youth Representative Claire Ward
(who has been a Labour Party MP since 1997).
Young Labour campaigns for the Labour Party at elections, and for policies more beneficial to young people. With their core beliefs - equality, social justice and opportunity for all - Young Labour believe that the Labour Party is the natural home for young people who share a vision of a fair and prosperous society. Young people are involved in all levels of the Labour Party, from door step campaigning, through to directly influencing policy and providing strategic direction to the Labour Party.
Labour Young members also get involved in the Labour Party through local policy events, campaigning or by attending events and socials.
, the Young Fabians
and the youth sections of affiliated trade unions.
. The Chair was appointed by the Labour Party itself between 1991 and 2009 in an attempt to limit 'radicalism' in Labour's youth wing. The position was contested for the first ever time in 2009 following reforms by the previous committee under then Chair Richard Angell; after increasing pressure from many young members resulted in the Labour Party annual conference voting for a rule change that included a democratically elected chair. The election of the chair is now carried out by delegates to the Party's biannual Youth Conference. However, the first time this system was used it was won without opposition by anti-BNP organiser and then Chair of Compass Youth, Sam Tarry. The first contested election for chair was at the 2011 conference. It was won by Susan Nash who at the time was a Vice President of NUS.
Labour Party (UK)
The Labour Party is a centre-left democratic socialist party in the United Kingdom. It surpassed the Liberal Party in general elections during the early 1920s, forming minority governments under Ramsay MacDonald in 1924 and 1929-1931. The party was in a wartime coalition from 1940 to 1945, after...
. It is open to all Labour members between the ages of 15 and 26, and membership is automatic for those between 15 and 27 joining the Labour Party .
It exists to involve young people in the Labour Party and ensure that the aspirations of young people are reflected in Labour’s policies in government – whether that be at a National, European, Scottish, Welsh or local level.
It was founded in 1993 by a Labour Party annual conference motion in Brighton, proposed by Tom Watson
Tom Watson (politician)
Thomas Anthony Watson is a British Labour Party politician, who has been the Member of Parliament for West Bromwich East since 2001. Watson was a Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office from 2008 to 2009...
(later a Labour MP), seconded by Brian Whitington, then Chair of the Labour Party Young Socialists
Labour Party Young Socialists
The Labour Party Young Socialists was the name of the youth section of the British Labour Party from 1965 until 1993. The LPYS was the most successful of the youth sections of the Labour Party in the post war period, at one point having nearly 600 branches and attendances at its national...
(later a 2005 Labour Party candidate in Twickenham) and supported by then NEC Youth Representative Claire Ward
Claire Ward
Claire Margaret Ward is a British Labour Party politician. She served as the Member of Parliament for the constituency of Watford from 1997 to 2010, and was a Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Ministry of Justice from 2009 to 2010....
(who has been a Labour Party MP since 1997).
Young Labour campaigns for the Labour Party at elections, and for policies more beneficial to young people. With their core beliefs - equality, social justice and opportunity for all - Young Labour believe that the Labour Party is the natural home for young people who share a vision of a fair and prosperous society. Young people are involved in all levels of the Labour Party, from door step campaigning, through to directly influencing policy and providing strategic direction to the Labour Party.
Labour Young members also get involved in the Labour Party through local policy events, campaigning or by attending events and socials.
Membership Fee
The Labour Party membership fee for under-27s was reduced to one penny in December 2010, this fee lasted until May 2011.. The fee has reverted to £1 for the first year of membership, with subsequent years charged at the standard rate.Relations to other Organisations
The organisation works closely with other youth sections of the Labour Party, particularly their sister organisations, Labour StudentsLabour Students
Labour Students is a student organisation affiliated to the British Labour Party.Membership comprises affiliated college and university clubs . Membership of Labour Students is through membership of a university or college Labour Club. Affiliation is open to any Labour Club generally supportive of...
, the Young Fabians
Young Fabians
The Young Fabians is the under 31 years of age section of the Fabian Society, a socialist society in the United Kingdom.- History :The Fabian Society was founded by a group of young idealists in the late 19th century . For example HG Wells was 27 when he joined the Committee as was George Bernard...
and the youth sections of affiliated trade unions.
Internal Structure
The executive of the organisation, the Young Labour National Committee, includes sections for National Policy Forum representatives, the NEC Youth Rep, representatives from sister organisations, a secretary appointed by the Labour Party, and regional representatives elected by One Member One VoteOne member, one vote
One member, one vote , as used in the parliamentary politics of the United Kingdom, Canada, and the Canadian provinces, is a proposal to select party leaders and/or determine party policy, by a direct vote of the members of each party...
. The Chair was appointed by the Labour Party itself between 1991 and 2009 in an attempt to limit 'radicalism' in Labour's youth wing. The position was contested for the first ever time in 2009 following reforms by the previous committee under then Chair Richard Angell; after increasing pressure from many young members resulted in the Labour Party annual conference voting for a rule change that included a democratically elected chair. The election of the chair is now carried out by delegates to the Party's biannual Youth Conference. However, the first time this system was used it was won without opposition by anti-BNP organiser and then Chair of Compass Youth, Sam Tarry. The first contested election for chair was at the 2011 conference. It was won by Susan Nash who at the time was a Vice President of NUS.