- Currently,
the constitution states that the Chair of Steering will be nominated by and
from among the democratically elected three members of the steering committee.
- The
constitution is unclear as to how this decision should be made.
- Although
the Chair of Steering does not have voting rights on the committee, they none
the less perform a very important function, requiring an in depth understanding
of democratic process. They are also a very high profile position, as they
chair debates at democratic events.
Labour Students believes:
- The
current process is unclear and confusing, especially for those on the steering
committee who are required to make the decision as to who the Chair of Steering
should be.
- The
current process is not transparent, and means that the Chair of Steering is not
directly accountable to Labour Students members.
- All
positions on the Labour Students national committee, whether or not they have
voting right, should be elected in a way that is clear, open and transparent.
Labour Students resolves:
- That the Chair of Steering should be directly
elected by the Labour Students membership at Labour Students National Conference.
- That a steering committee of three should still
be elected at council, and the Chair of Steering be elected from among them.
- A person may still stand for steering committee
but then choose not to put themselves forward to be Chair of Steering.
- When standing for steering committee, candidates
should declare their interests in running to be Chair of Steering to ensure
transparency.
- The Chair of Steering should be elected by club
delegates, until such point as One Member One Vote is introduced, and then they
should be elected by One Member One Vote.
(motion was passed and will go to National Council, where if passed a second time it will become constitutional)
