What Members Do.

Meetings

We are very conscious that political meetings have a reputation for being rather dry and intimidating. We are working very hard to ensure that our meetings are inclusive, informative and enjoyable. We have regular updates and reports from our MP Damien Egan, and from our councillors at Branch meetings. We invite interesting speakers and debate policy and current affairs. Meetings are always held in accessible venues.

Fundraising and Social events

Fund raising events ensure the CLP has the money to pay for leaflets and other expenses associated with elections, we also hold social events which are always fun.

Particular skills

Members often bring their skills and experience to help the party. For example, graphic design, IT and digital skills, fundraising experience, data entry, entertainment, financial background, copy editing and more.

Leaflets

Even in this digital age, leaflets are an effective way of getting our message out to constituents.

Using a private delivery service is prohibitively expensive, so members provide a vital role in getting the leaflets out.

It doesn’t take long to do a couple of streets and members usually deliver near where they live at a time that suits them best.

Canvassing

Knocking on doors to speak directly to residents is the most important activity we do. We find out first-hand the issues that are affecting the community and where possible deal with the issues through either the MP’s or Councillors case work.

Canvassing sounds scary, people often worry that they may get confronted with an argumentative voter and do not have the answers or the confidence to deal with them. In reality this almost never happens, and even if it did, we are always out in a team and there will be someone near to help out. Members who have not canvassed before are buddied up with a more experienced canvasser and people find that it actually a lot more fun that they thought. Canvassing sessions are arranged throughout the year on a Sunday morning.

Helping on Election Day

Election days are frantic and fun. Our job is to make sure that those residents that said they were going to vote Labour actually do. This entails last minute leaflets, knocking doors to remind people and giving voters lifts to the polling station. Some members will stay up late to help at the count at the end of the day.

Running the CLP and Branches

CLPs and Branches are constituted under strict Labour Party rules. The organisation and work is carried out entirely by unpaid volunteers. Officers are elected once a year and must be members resident in the constituency. We welcome and encourage new faces and new ideas.

Local Campaigns

Members are sometimes already involved with a local group or campaign and the CLP may decide to take on that issue and help. Perhaps the CLP is already working on a campaign that a member feels is important and wants to support or a member may want the CLP to initiate a campaign.

Selecting candidates

Perhaps the most significant role a CLP member plays is in the selection of candidates for local elections and the parliamentary seat. Short listing is done by the party but at the end of the process, it is party members who vote and decide on the candidates. Officers of the CLP are central to the process and every member gets a vote.

Become a councillor or MP

Every Labour MP and Councillor is a member in the constituency where they live and they almost certainly started their political career being active in their local CLP. If you see your future in politics, this is where you start.