The process of central party reform begins

By Mark Ferguson / @markfergusonuk

One of our biggest bugbears at LabourList has been the failure of the Refounding Labour process to properly tackle reform at the centre, in addition to changes at a local level. Central party staff work incredibly hard for little reward, but the current structures often lead to complaints from activists and representatives (especially MPs) that Victoria Street can appear inflexible to their needs. Refounding the party needs to include change at the top, as well as at the bottom.

It’s pleasing then to see Ed Miliband and the incoming General Secretary Iain McNicol showing their determination to reform the party machine by bringing in an experienced manager to advise McNicol and review existing structures.

The review will look at how the party is organised, and the aim, according to the party, is to make “recommendations to put the party on the most professional and sustainable footing ahead of the next general election.”

The man who will conduct this advise McNicol through this review process is Charles Allen – former CEO of ITV and chairman of EMI. He also has extensive experience in the public sector with senior roles on the Commonwealth Games and Olympic Games, as well as for the Home Office.

Responding to the announcement, Ed Miliband said:

“These are exciting times for the Labour Party. The recent announcement that Ian McNicol will be our next General Secretary is fantastic news. And Charles Allen’s new role, bringing his huge experience to help us build a stronger Labour Party, represents further progress.”

This kind of move is to be applauded – but it’s only the first of many significant changes that will need to be managed in the months ahead, and should open the door to the dramatic changes promised by McNicol last week, and Miliband last summer.