Topics for debate at this year’s Labour Party conference include housing, AI and insourcing following the results of the priorities ballot.
The annual ballot decides which contemporary motions will be given time for debate at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool this week.
A total of 12 topics were selected as part of the ballot. Six were selected by constituency Labour Party (CLP) delegates and the remainder by affiliates.
The full list of topics selected is as follows:
- Violence against women and girls (VAWG)
- Tackling knife crime
- Fairness for older workers
Affiliate list:
- Opportunities for young people
- AI in the interests for working people
- Reindustrialising our communities
- Insourcing and public ownership
- Public services
- Rebuilding our economy for working people
The ballot earlier today narrowed the options down from 36. Other potential topics included regulatory safeguards and public scrutiny, the Middle East, animal welfare, gambling and supporting women in prison.
The confirmation of the priorities ballot means CLPs that were successful in submitting a motion can attend composite meetings to further decide on the exact wording of the motions. A maximum of two delegates from each successful CLP can attend meetings on Sunday night, which are required to culminate by 11pm.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has talked repeatedly of plans to “reindustrialise” the UK. Language included in the motions argues for “deepening collaboration with local authorities, trade unions, business, supported by local MPs to guarantee that communities like Rossendale and Darwen remain at the forefront of the UK’s reindustrialisation”, according to the Rossendale and Darwen motion.
On housing, the Labour in Local and Regional Government (LLRG) called on the Government to strengthen planning oversight, “back local authorities to flexibly fund and build new homes” and continue coordination by local and regional government. The LLRG was joined in the motion by Chingford and Woodford Green and Witham CLPs.
On buses, Bishop Auckland called for a national Young Person’s Bus Pass “providing free bus travel to young people in full-time education, or in training/ apprenticeships, or in their first year of full-time work”. Ely and East Cambridgeshire want passenger growth made a statutory objective of franchising. Spelthorne, Ribble Valley and Huntingdon, Wolverhampton North East, also submitted motions.
In a post on X, North Durham MP Luke Akehurst had urged CLP delegates to vote for fairness for older workers, reindustrialisation, buses, tackling knife crime, housing and homelessness and one of VAWG or electoral reform. Five of the motions Mr Akehurst called for were put forward; following the announcement of the ballot results, Mr Akehurst said he was “thankful” that motions on the Middle East and Cuba were not successful, after they were supported by the Campaign for Labour Party Democracy. The same two topics were also supported by Momentum, which further encouraged debate on tech sovereignty and electoral reform.
A motion calling for the public ownership of water had previously been ruled out ahead of conference. The motion, submitted jointly by Mainstream and SERA, was rejected on the grounds that it “does not relate to a new issue not substantially covered in the National Policy Forum report”.
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