Ann Black Bids to Get Re-Elected on Labour's National Executive Committee (NEC)

Ann Black is a member of the British Labour Party's National Executive Committee (NEC), and she was  Chair of the Labour Party from September 2009 to September 2010, and is part of the Grassroots Alliance group of NEC members.

We met Ann recently and we liked what she had to say - she has a great sense of humour, something you need today to survive in the swamp that politics has become.

This is what Ann has to say in her own words. 

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Ann Black’s NEC Election Address
 
“Your choice today will decide Labour’s future as a diverse, socialist, election-winning party.  Please use your vote.
 
More than 100 constituencies nominated me because I am
 
Accountable – I’ve reported after every meeting since 2000 and talked with thousands of members in person and by email.  No other candidate has a comparable record.
 
Principled – under leaders from Tony Blair to Jeremy Corbyn I voted with centre-left grassroots comrades against austerity, privatisation, selective education and war in Iraq, and for public services, progressive taxation, social housing and decent pensions and benefits.  As a UNISON steward for 30 years I know that working people need a Labour government.
 
Inclusive – we all owe loyalty to our democratically-elected leader, and I have no time for grandstanding egotists.  However, our party is a broad church.  Every member must be heard with respect, not treated as the enemy within. 
 
Democratic – I achieved one-member-one-vote for national policy forum elections and steered the women’s conference towards formal motions.  In 2016 I voted for Jeremy Corbyn to be on the ballot, and against excluding people with less than six months’ membership.
 
I ask you to support me and cast your other votes only for individuals that you know and trust.”
 
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I also need help on social media, particularly in refuting fake news.  This includes claims that
 
1)         I voted for members who joined within six months to be excluded from the leadership ballot in 2016.
 
Fact:  I voted against a six-month cut-off date.  Unfortunately some NEC members had left the room and I lost.  I voted for Jeremy Corbyn to be on the ballot automatically.
 
2)   As Chair of the disputes panel I was responsible for suspending CLPs, and suspending or expelling many individual members.
 
Fact:  Suspensions are implemented by the general secretary and referred to meetings of the disputes panel.  Decisions are made by all panel members.  The Chair has no special power.  As Christine Shawcroft found out – she resigned after two meetings when the panel did not vote as she wished.
 
Any other allegations, please let me know and I will get back to you.  A couple of further points:
 
3)   I have voted with other centre-left grassroots alliance representatives on the NEC and the NPF for 20 years, and I challenge Momentum to name a single policy difference between us.
 
4)   I have reported more consistently, visited more local parties, replied to more messages, than any other candidate.  Ask people how many other NEC members or candidates reply to their emails.
 
Next week I’ll report on the NEC subcommittee meetings on Tuesday 3 July.
 
Thank you again, and best wishes