LGBT Labour has welcomed the adoption of the Refounding Labour proposals at the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool.

James Asser Co-Chair of LGBT Labour said:

"Refounding Labour to Win further strengthens the role of the LGBT community within the Labour Party. We are delighted that the Leadership and National Executive Committee have supported many of our proposals for party reform. The reforms ensure that the Labour Party continues to promote equality and fight equality.

We warmly welcome the commitment from the party for LGBT Labour to join the National Policy Forum with a full voting position. This will strengthen the voice of the LGBT community in the Labour Party's policy process.

We also welcome the commitment to reform selection processes to remove opportunities for discrimination, to offer greater support to LGBT candidates in Wales and Scotland and to address the disadvantages LGBT women can face in seeking selection.

We still want to see progress on getting direct LGBT presentation on the NEC. We have been pleased by the wide range of support for LGBT Labour to join BAME members on the NEC. We will continue to work with the party and its affiliates for this to be achieved."

Contact

James Asser, 07903829174
 
Notes to editors

Refounding Labour to Win is the outcome of the Labour Party renewal process. It includes significant commitments relevant to LGBT people including:

• LGBT Labour, as the Labour Party affiliate representing LGBT members, will be given a representative at the National Policy Forum to ensure that the views of LGBT members are fed into the policy making process.
• A commitment for the NEC to review how it can assist disabled members and LGBT women to stand for selection
• Reforms to bring greater collaboration with Young Labour Liberation Officers
• Action to avoid discrimination in the selection process including ensuring that all candidates are asked the same questions and a more transparent and accessible complaints procedure to report a problem if one does occur.
• The Labour Party in Scotland and Wales will develop specialist programmes to support openly LGBT people to stand for the Scottish Parliament and the Welsh Assembly.
• The Labour Party will advertise the work of LGBT Labour, particularly advertising the Chris Smith List and increase where possible support for activities that promote the engagement of LGBT members, for example support with literature development and events.