Get ready to elect a pro-PR Deputy Leader
Angela Rayner has resigned as Deputy Prime Minister and Deputy Leader of the Labour Party. There is now expected to be an election for a new Deputy Leader.
This is a crisis for Labour - but the real crisis is the one engulfing British politics. With polls as they are - and with First Past the Post still in place - we are one general election away from Farage as PM.
We therefore need to use this Deputy Leadership Election to push for action on the voting system that is destroying trust in politics and threatens to hand a majority to the far right.
We will need to make sure all the candidates understand that backing Proportional Representation will win them votes - and to do all we can to make sure the winner is a strong supporter of electoral reform.
How the election works
The Deputy Leader must be a Commons member of the Parliamentary Labour Party - a Labour MP.
In order to stand for election, candidates must be nominated by 20% of Labour MPs, which currently means 80 MPs.
They must also receive nominations from either:
5% of Constituency Labour Parties; or,
Three affiliates, of which two are affiliated trade unions, making up at least 5% of the affiliate membership.
Candidates who receive the required nominations are put to a one-person-one-vote ballot amongst the membership and affiliate membership.
The vote uses a preferential (Alternative Vote) system, in which voters rank their preferred candidates and votes for losing candidates are redistributed.
How we can make a difference
This presents a range of ways that pro-PR members, affiliates and MPs can make their voices heard.
If you have a Labour MP - particularly one who is pro-PR - be ready to write to them asking them to nominate someone who backs electoral reform.
Be ready to go to your next Constituency Labour Party meeting - even if you haven't been in a while - and ask your CLP to nominate a pro-PR candidate.
If you're a member of a trade union, your branch will also be able to recommend - whether formally or informally - which candidate the union leadership backs.
And there will be husting happening around the country at which members can put their questions to the candidates.
Make sure you’re on the Labour for a New Democracy mailing list and we'll be in touch with actions when more information is available. In the meantime, please get ready for an important election.
