I think all delegates should be prepared to comment on conference at meetings and in response to particular questions and discussion points but I doubt it’s possible to produce a report that includes everyone’s views on every topic. For example, I think there was more that could have been debated and discussed on education but I don’t think a long critique of the National Policy Forum document, the policy forum meeting, the NES proposals and Angela Rayner’s speech needs to be included in a general and broad conference report. This doesn’t prevent those of us with an interest in education adding to the report in meetings if education is a topic of particular interest to the meeting.
Unfortunately, I can’t be at the GC on 9th November. However, was I to be at that meeting I’d be content with the type of report suggested by Michael and Jane. I hope this is useful to know.
I also think it important, as we all do I’m sure, to follow up conference in different ways. For example, I know that there’s a view that establishing an SEA in the city would help develop Labour Party education policy and I know some branches are taking up some issues around democracy and querying some expulsions. This follow up work might make reference to the conference report but I don’t think our conference report should limit or prescribe this work or this work should depend on our conference report or be detailed in it. There’s much to do.
Aidan Pettitt
Brighton Pavilion Labour Party 