Green Left does its best to be open and democratic. For that reason we will publish here a noted account of all our recent meetings and the discussions which were held. However, so as not to compromise us a political entity it was moved at the AGM, held in June that committee minutes should now only be published for members of Green Left. Hence below you will find any minutes of meetings prior to this decision and notes of those after, but those post-AGM 2010 are available here for members only.
Committee Meeting – May 11th 2010
Draft Minutes of GL Steering Meeting, 11th May, 2010 – RFH, South Bank, London
Present: Teresa Delaney (TD), Farid Bakht (FB), Roy Sandison (RS), Malcolm Bailey (MB), James Youd (JY), Zain Sardar (ZS), Andy Hewett (AH)
Apologies: Sue Tibbles (STi), Joseph Healy (JH), Pete Murry (PMu), Jane Ennis (JE)
1. Officers’ Reports
a. STi requested donation for Oxford TUC event, agreed £10 to be sent.
b. £699 in bank account, treasurer said that £500 could be transferred into 14 day bank account.
c. JE reports that she is in contact with comrades from Italy, France and Belgium.
d. Membership = 99. Membership leaflet to be produced.
e. JY to continue work on website.
f. TD has been busy with election and with migrant workers’ campaigns.
2. Resignations
a. Andy Collingwood (AC) has left the Green Party to join New Labour. Praised GL in his leaving statement on his blog.
b. Due to AC leaving there is a vacancy for email list moderator. JY co-opted until election for post at AGM.
3. General Election
a. Brief discussion of views about the General Election, although more time for in-depth analysis to be allocated at AGM.
b. Noted that votes were polarised contributing to a squeeze of the Green vote. Caroline was elected on her record and her left wing stance.
c. Possibility of another election in October not ruled out, also possibility of PR.
d. Influx of new Green Party members.
e. Reported that there has been sniping on Green Party email lists from right-wing members of the party, attacking the use of the terms ‘socialist’ and ‘left’ whilst praising Zac Goldsmith.
f. Need to be alert to others who may consider leaving Greens for New Labour.
g. Discussion of targeted seats, the resultant isolation felt by non-targetted regions and the contrast between rural and urban areas.
4. Conference Motions
a. Reported that Sean Thompson has suggested a motion to remove the phrase from the PfSS which opposes Trade Union donations to political parties. Suggested he should liaise with GPTU.
b. JH submitting Haiti motion, calling for French Govt reparations.
c. JY submitting organisational motion to give GPRC greater power to stop officers in local parties breaking local party constitutions.
d. TD drafting motion supporting CAMRA and freehold pubs. Suggested that it will help smaller local organic cider producers and would appeal to rural as well as urban voters.
e. PMu has suggested motions opposing offshore drilling, supporting PR. AV will not favour smaller parties.
f. FB suggested motion to endorse calls to recognise Latin Americans as an ethnic group.
g. RS attended Young Greens meeting, suggested there will be an organisational motion from the Young Greens.
5. Posts to be elected at Conference
Noted that GPEx to meet on 29th May.
6. Summer Camp
a. Only GL members to attend, to focus on strategy and building GL.
b. Suggested themes:
i. What went right and what went wrong during the election; ii. Where does GL go from here?
c. To be held in Cambridge in late July, TBC. Venue to be booked and accommodation to be arranged. Creche suggested, but there are legal implications including CRB checks. To be explored further.
7. Discussion about a local party dispute.
8. GL tribunal
Update on the ongoing disciplinary and appeal regarding the actions of a GL member. A letter was sent to the member in January suspending them from GL pending an appeal which should be made within 28 days. No response was received. Further communication to be sent by registered post.
Minutes completed by Andy Hewett, July 2010.
