THE SOCIALIST PARTY
MINUTES OF THE 6TH MEETING OF THE 102ND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
HELD AT HEAD OFFICE ON 4TH JUNE, 2005, AT 2.15 PM
Present: Bissett (General Secretary), Carter (Chair), Lambert (had to
leave
meeting at 5.15pm), Parker, Thomas, Wigley.
Apologies: Lawrence, Stair, Shannon (who was tendering his resignation
from the
EC, citing family commitments).
Absent: Scholey.
1. Amendment and Adoption of Previous EC Minutes
1.1 Wigley & Lambert: "That the Minutes be adopted as a true
record." Agreed
6-0.
2. Matters Arising from May EC Meeting
2.1 Email from Cde Mugyenzi (Kabale, Uganda), dated 12/5/05 in response
to the
May EC discussion on the requested photocopier for the Ugandan
comrades. Cde
Mugyenzi, in outlining the response of the Kabale group to the EC
resolution on
the matter, wrote [as this matter concerns the wider World Socialist
Movement, I
copy below the entire text of the letter - Gen Sec].:
"Yesterday we were given copies of the letter from you, containing part
of the
May 2005 E.C Minutes that concern us, by Comrade Weijagye. I have been
requested
by members who read it and who constitute the majority of the group
here to
communicate with you as follows:
"That the purpose of being part of you was solely to unite and make a
consolidated force to carry out socialist propaganda for the cause of
socialism.
"We thought you (SPGB) had the intention of bringing about global
understanding
of the world we live in. Our requests have been sincere and genuine
solely for
the cause of socialism. So we don't see reason why you say that this is
a drain
on party funds. Time and again members here have explained to you our
economic
(financial) stand. We had hoped that SPGB comrades are all out solely to
propagate socialism internationally.
"You would rather welcome our membership and activities in this line as
is our
case we are however surprised to see that this is not being done. So we
wonder
at the logic in us being a branch of the SPGB even when we cannot vote
in UK and
you can't assist us to carry out activity as we see it fit. Moreover
what the EC
says it can subsidize is what in earlier correspondence it (the EC)
says it cant
subsidize.
"So the majority of the membership here has arrived at the view that we
operate
as an independent group not part or branch of the SPGB."
2.1.i) Wigley & Lambert: "This EC notes that the current
arrangements for
overseas members are unsatisfactory, leading to a lack of effective
representation of and support for those members, and on the other hand
a lack of
overview and knowledge of their activities by other party members, the
essence
of democratic organisation.
"Past efforts to improve communication and organisation have met with
limited
success.
"Whilst the circumstances of the message from the comrades in Kabale are
regrettable, this EC considers their proposed action - forming a
separate group
and affiliating to the WSW as the WSM (Uganda) - as a positive move, to
be
greeted with approval.
"Therefore, this EC resolves that the General Secretary communicate
with the
comrades in Uganda, and the companion parties with a view to welcoming
the WSM
(Uganda) as a companion party at the earliest opportunity, given Party
approval.
"Comrades in Uganda should be encouraged to join this group or remain
within it.
However, those comrades in Uganda who wish to stay in The Socialist
Party are of
course welcome to remain.
"Futhermore, this EC resolves to monitor the above process closely and
apply the
lessons learned, where appropriate, to the Party's overseas
organization."
Agreed 6-0.
2.2) Re. item 2.6.vii of May Minutes - EC request for the Advertising
Department
to resubmit a revised plan and budget to the June Meeting. Emails, with
new
advert designs were received from Cdes Windle (2nd June) and Shannon
(3rd June)
and a report on the department's proposals was received from Cde Browne
(2nd
June). The Adverts Dept, for the June-August period, wished to place a
new
advert in the 3 Big Issues, coded, and to run this for 3 months. To
monitor
effectiveness the department requested a report on replies and copies
of all
bills on a regular basis. For the September-December period the
department was
considering a leaflet suitable for insertion in magazines, as per
Conference
Resolution, that would advertise the DVD, the book, the Standard and
other
pamphlets.
2.2.i) The EC considered that the proposals were uncosted and did not
adhere to
the previous resolution. Members queried the text of the ads, several
asking the
"antedote" to what? And why the focus was on advertising in the Big
Issue, when
Cde Browne had previously informed the EC of the low response to the
ads (2.5
responses per week)? It was also suggested that the Big Issue was
perhaps not
the best magazine to advertise in, considering most buyers bought the
magazine
out of sympathy for the homeless seller, rather than for its content.
2.2.ii) Wigley & Thomas: "This EC is unhappy with the continued
dependence on
the Big Issue, which has historically given a very low return in terms
of
enquiries and profile, for our limited advertising funds. This EC,
therefore,
requests, that the Advertising Department submit a revised plan,
accounting for
the low return from the Big Issue, at the earliest opportunity, given
the
urgency of the summer campaigns, and in any event no later than the
July EC
meeting." Agreed 5 For, 1 Against.
2.3) Re. item 2.2 of May Minutes - signatories to accounts. According
to details
held at the bank, Cdes Bissett was still a signatory. Therefore Cde
Bissett
needed not be added to a new list. It would also be necessary to have
Cdes
Martin and O'Neil sign forms saying they are no longer signatories.
2.4) Departmental Budgets, as per a call for the same in April and May
Minutes.
2.4.i) Budget proposal from Publications Department. The department was
asking
for a budget of £5,500. This would cover the cost of a book being
prepared on
the causes of war, new classic reprints, the previous productions
having proved
very popular, and a new book which would be made up from two updated
pamphlets -
From Capitalism to Socialism and Socialism as a Practical Alternative.
2.4.ii) Wigley & Lambert: "That the budget be approved." Agreed 6-0.
3. Accounts
3.1. March Accounts were presented to the EC. The Treasurer could not
account
for £85.00, but believed it was for a payment the receipt for
which had been
mislaid. The bank had been contacted with regards monthly statements,
but they
insisted on sending all clients quarterly statements without exception.
It was
possible we could access our accounts details online in the near future.
4. Forms A
4.1. 4 Forms A had been received: one for Allan Goldsmith, an ex-member
wishing
to rejoin, accompanied by a letter from Cde Buick, the Central
Organiser, asking
for clarification on whether ex-members who were rejoining (having left
for
personal reasons) had to resubmit a questionnaire. The three remaining
Forms A
were for Borna Cetinic (Croatia), Arinteiwe Misach (Uganda) and A Gluck
(Cheltenham), the latter being another ex-member rejoining.
4.1.i) Wigley & Thomas: In the opinion of this EC, the membership
questionnaire
is a means of an applicant's subscription to the party's political
views, in the
absence of questioning by Party members. It is not a requirement where
an
applicant's adherence to the party's political views is already known.
Therefore, in the case of ex-members joining the Party, a simple
declaration
that they still hold to the Party's political views should be
sufficient unless
there is significant evidence that their political views no longer
coincide with
the Party's." Agreed 6-0.
4.1.ii) Thomas & Parker: "That the four forms A be accepted."
Agreed 6-0.
5. Reports from Departments
5.1) Report from Internet Department. The report (previously posted on
Spintcom)
covered 4 areas: Email voting, Proposals for email addresses, Website
redesign
and a Budget proposal for £418.00.
5.1.i) Wigley & Thomas: "This EC approves the budget request for
the Internet
Department and requests that they implement point 2 of their report
(departmental email addresses), point 3 (website redesign) and point
3.1 (online
media library) at the earliest opportunity, and that they report on
progress to
the July EC meeting."
5.1.ii) An amendment was then moved by Thomas & Carter: "That at
the beginning
of the resolution insert the words: 'This EC thanks the Internet
Department for
its report of 3/6/05 and.'" Agreed 6-0.
5.1.iii) The substantive resolution was thus: That this EC thanks the
Internet
Department for its report of 3/6/05 and approves the budget request for
the
Internet Department and requests that they implement point 2 of their
report
(departmental email addresses), point 3 (website redesign) and point 3.1
(online media library) at the earliest opportunity, and that they
report on
progress to the July EC meeting. Agreed 6-0.
5.1.iv) Part one of the report was considered not to be an EC matter.
Thomas &
Parker: "That this EC circulates to all branches part 1 of the Internet
Department report of 3/6/05 entitled "Email Voting" for discussion and
submission of resolutions to ADM or Conference as this matter requires
Party
decision as the EC cannot make such policy." Agreed 6-0. [This to be
added to
the EC Minutes - Gen sec].
6. Report of Standing Orders Committee on Conference Voting (deferred
from the
May EC Meeting)
6.1. Wigley & Thomas: "This EC adopts the report of the Standing
orders
Committee and resolves:
i) That the PFU be informed of its new Terms of Reference.
ii) That Party and Branch Treasurers be informed of the new rates for
dues.
iii) That an ad-hoc committee be formed to investigate the need for a
Party
journal as per Motion 4 and nominations be called for to be received by
the
August EC meeting.
iv) That the Advertising Department and other departments involved in
advertising be instructed to adopt a more creative approach to
advertising.
v) That Standing Orders be instructed to abide by Motion 7.
v) That the Premises Department be informed of Motion 9 and asked to
submit
plans to the EC no later than the August EC meeting."
Agreed 6-0.
7. Correspondence from Branches, Companion Parties, Members
7.1) Two letters were received from Central London Branch with three
resolutions
(first letter dated 24th May, the second letter was undated but
referred to the
same meeting of the Branch on 23rd May. The resolutions had been passed
by an
inquorate meeting and were:
i) "Central London Branch requests that the EC report to all branches
regarding
the Overseas Group, including numbers, meetings held and activity, with
a view
to establishing their status."
ii) "That Head Office be staffed Mon-Fri, 10am to 5pm minimum every
week."
iii) "That, since a PA system is now available, all delegates at
Conference& ADM
use the microphones provided."
7.1.i) Agreed that the matters be referred back to Central London
Branch to be
re-submitted when the branch was quorate.
7.2) WSPNZ Minutes for February. Noted.
7.3) Initial email from Cde Miller re. departmental email addresses and
which
was resubmitted as the Internet Dept. Report. Noted.
7.4) Letter from Stair (HOO) dated 3/6/05 requesting that the EC
meeting of July
be brought forward one week because of the amount of Party activity
taking place
in July (activity centred on the G8 during first week of July) and
which would
mean members being unable to attend the meeting, and requesting that HO
be
re-decorated a the cost of £50.00 per day, the work to last a
possible 3 weeks.
7.4.i) The week previous to the 2nd July was a London Day School; the
week after
the 2nd July was the party Summer School. It was therefore agreed that
the next
EC meeting take place on Sunday 26th June.
7.4.ii) Thomas & Parker: "That part 2 of the letter of 3/6/05 from
Comrade Stair
be returned with a request hat the proposal be submitted as from the
Premises
Committee to the July EC meeting on 26th June." Agreed 6-0.
7.5) Letter from Steve Shannon, SPC sympathiser. Noted.
7.6. Monthly Newsletter from SPC. Noted.
8. Forms F
8.1) Twenty forms F were before the EC, 17 of which were for African
comrades we
had lost contact with; submitted by the Central Organiser and referred
to in the
Central Organiser report to the May EC meeting. [Gen Sec's note:
Apologies for
being unable to add names at this stage. I left HO having forgotten to
write
them down. I will attempt to include them in the next EC Minutes].
3 Forms F for D Umpleby and R Skipson (both Central and lapsed through
loss of
contact) and a form F for Benon Mutungi of Uganda (deceased). Agreed to
accept.
9. Any Other Business
9.1) Bissett, referring to the increased opportunities for activity in
July -
ie the G8 in Edinburgh, Live8, Miners' Gala in Durham - suggested that
the
print run for the Standard be increased by 2000 copies, which could be
sold or
given away at the various events. The cost of this would be no more
than an
additional £320.
9.1.i) Wigley & Bissett: "That the print run of the July Socialist
Standard be
increase by 2000 copies." Agreed 5-0.
9.2) Bissett raised the issue of selling Party literature, CDs and
eventually
DVDs via e-commerce on the www. Members who used this method to buy
goods
on-line found it a relatively easy system to use. The idea had been
suggested
before but not looked into in depth.
9.2.i) Wigley & Thomas: "That the Internet Department be asked to
investigate
e-commerce for sales of party literature and the video, liaising with
the
Treasurer and to report to the EC on or before the September EC
meeting. Agreed
5-0.
9.3) Bissett related a matter Cde Shannon wanted put to the EC. The
anarchist
publication Now or Never had praised highly recent copies of the
Socialist
Standard in a review in their latest edition, printing photos of two
covers of
the Standard to accompany their review. Cde Shannon asked if the EC
would
consider if a quote from the review could be put on the cover of the
Standard.
9.3.ii) The EC noted the raising of the matter at the table, but did
not wish to
interfere in what was considered an editorial decision.
9.4) Bissett related two telephone conversations with Cde Arya with
regards EC
business from last year which was still outstanding, namely the letter
to the
manager of the property next door whose faulty roof had led to the
flood last
year at HO, and the possibility of the Party employing a full-time
worker.
9.4.i) The EC referred the matters to the Treasurer for early report.
With no further business to discuss the meeting adjourned at 6.55 pm
Date of next EC Meeting - Sunday 26th June
Chair for next meeting - Thomas
Further to item 5.1.iv above, here is the text of Point 1 of the
Internet
department report
Email Voting
Pursuant to requests made in the April and May EC minutes for a report
on the
feasibility of e-mail voting, we believe it is reasonable to carry out
voting
the following way, assuming that the ballot committee is responsible for
conducting referenda:
1. Any comrade who is unable to attend local meetings of his branch and
who
wishes to vote by e-mail shall notify the ballot committee via a signed
letter.
He must provide a single e-mail address his electronic ballot is to be
sent to.
Such a comrade is said to be``registered'' for e-mail voting.
2. When there is a vote, the ballot committee shall send each
registered comrade
a ballot by e-mail. Each ballot shall contain a unique password.
3. The comrade shall vote by responding to the e-mail ballot,
indicating his
responses to the questions. The comrade shall make sure to include the
unique
password in the returned ballot. This helps to ensure that ballots are
not
forged.
4. If the ballot send by the ballot committee is returned as
undeliverable
(``bounced''), the committee shall mail a regular paper ballot instead.
5. Should any registered comrade wish to return to paper voting, he
shall notify
the ballot committee via a signed letter.
6. In the event that both an e-mail and paper ballot are received from a
comrade, only the paper
ballot shall be counted. The ballot committee shall notify the comrade
of the
irregularity.
7. In the event that more than one e-mail ballot is received from a
comrade,
only the last ballot shall be counted. The ballot committee shall
notify the
comrade of the irregularity.
Note that Internet voting in this manner, while expedient, is not
guaranteed to
be secure. Ballots from either the ballot committee or the comrades can
be
forged or intercepted. (A more secure Internet voting system could be
developed,
though it would require comrades to have a greater degree of technical
knowledge
of digital encryption.) Comrades should be advised that if they are
highly concerned about voting security, they would be better off
requesting a
paper ballot.
Note
Further to item 6.1 above, and as per Motion 4 of Conference Voting, a
call is
made for nominations for an ad-hoc committee to investigate the need
for a Party
journal and to be received by the August meeting.
To remind you of Motion 4: Motion 4. "This Conference instructs the EC
to
establish a discussion journal to be titled 'Journal for World
Socialism' to be
produced under the following terms of reference- 1 The
Editorial Committee
shall consist of 3 members and should aim at the inclusion of a
Companion Party
member. 2 The Journal should provide a record of discussion
between members of
the Companion Parties aimed at the development of socialist
arguments and
should include discussion on general aspects of World Socialist
Movement theory
and policy, capitalist development in relation to socialism, and world
socialism
as a practical alternative to capitalism. 3 The Journal
should include a
correspondence section. 4 The Journal to be issued
initially half yearly,
with options on more frequent issues as appropriate. 5 The
journal to be
issued at minimal cost with format and lay out by members and printing
on Party
facilities. 6 The contents also to be published in
electronic form on the
Party's web site or other internet sites. 7 In liaison with
the EC the
Journal may provide limited space for guest (non-member) writers." South
London.
Amendment to Motion 4. "In line one replace 'establish' by 'investigate
the
willingness of members to produce, and the need for'. " Enfield &
Haringey.
Vote 7 on the amendment: For: 68
Against: 38
Vote 8 if the amendment is carried: For: 57 Against:
49
Vote 9 if the motion is not amended: For: 29 Against:
75
Motion 4 as amended CARRIED.
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