13.08.2015

A constitution fit for purpose

The Communist Platform has agreed to submit an alternative constitution for Left Unity at the November 21-22 national conference, when a whole day has been put aside to discuss the question. The current constitution, widely regarded as being unfit for purpose, stretches to 6,000 words and the CP is proposing it should be replaced by this much shorter and more concise document

1 Aims

Article 1. Left Unity was founded on November 30 2013 and brought together a range of individuals and organisations. Our aim is to organise the working class in order to overthrow the capitalist system, establish socialism and realise a society based on the principle of ‘From each according to their abilities; to each according to their needs’.

2. Membership

Article 2. A member is one who joins the party, accepting its rules and programme, works in a party organisation and regularly pays dues.

Article 3. Barring exceptional circumstances, application for membership is submitted individually. An applicant must be accepted by the appropriate branch.

Article 4. Members are expected to be active in a party organisation.

Article 5. Members also have a right and a duty to educate themselves politically and help develop the party’s political positions.

3. Organisation

Article 6. Organisationally Left Unity is based on the most thorough-going democracy. This provides the solid basis for united actions. As a general principle the part is subordinate to the whole, lower committees to higher, all committees to the National Council, and the National Council to the conference.

Article 7. Except where the rules state otherwise, in all party bodies decisions are taken by the majority of members voting in the meeting (excluding abstentions). It is the right and the duty of party members to participate in the meetings of the bodies of which they are a member and to openly state their views on all matters concerning the party.

Article 8. Party bodies are established on the basis of task, locality or workplace. Within their sphere of responsibility they are autonomous.

Article 9. Members have the right to submit their views to higher committees up to the National Council for discussion. While acting in accordance with the principle of unity in action, members may publicly oppose decisions taken by higher committees, as long as agreed actions are not disrupted.

Article 10. Members have the right to form factions, platforms or tendencies with a view to changing party policy or its leadership.

4. Structure of the party

Article 11. The basic organisational unit of the party is the branch. Branches should be kept as small as possible to allow maximum flexibility and maximum efficiency. Branches should as a norm meet weekly.

Article 12. The National Council, or all branches in an area, city, district or region, may establish area, city, district or regional committees, which are responsible for directing the work of at least five branches.

Article 13. Conference is the highest decision-making body of the party. The conference should normally be held every year. The conference should be announced by the National Council at least three months in advance. The conference can be delayed by decision of the National Council, but the period between conference should not exceed two years.

Article 14. Special conferences can be called by a majority decision of the National Council. If more than a third of the membership demand it, the National Council is obliged to convene a special conference. It should be held within three months. Failing that, the next highest committees calling for a conference have the duty to set up an organising committee to convene one. Preparation and representation is decided by the committee convening the conference.

Article 15. The National Council may invite to the conference individuals who have speaking but not voting rights.

Article 16. Conference hears, discusses and votes upon all reports, resolutions and matters it considers relevant. Through simple majorities (excluding abstentions) it also decides upon the numbers and composition of the National Council, changes in the rules and programme, appeals on matters of discipline, etc.

Article 17. The National Council is the highest decision-making body between conferences. The National Council elects its own officers and sub-committees. If one third of its members so decide, the chair of the National Council must convene a special meeting of the National Council.

Article 18. Decisions of the National Council are taken by a simple majority of those members voting (excluding abstentions) . The National Council has the power to dissolve and re-establish any party body or publication. The National Council may coopt new members, who will not have voting rights.

5. Discipline

Article 19. The following are violations of party discipline: failure to pay party dues; disrupting or sabotaging an agreed action; threatening or using violence in an internal political dispute; behaving in a way that brings discredit to the party.

Article 20. Any committee of the party can vote on a motion of censure against one of its members. The relevant higher committee must be notified. Votes by a committee to suspend or expel a member must be ratified by the National Council. A member who is suspended has no membership rights, only duties. The comrade’s level of consciousness and experience should always be taken into account.

Article 21. Every member of the party who is subject to disciplinary procedures has the right to appeal to higher bodies of the party, up to and including the conference.

Article 22. The expulsion of a member of the National Council must be agreed by a two-thirds majority of its full membership.

6. Dues

Article 23. The National Council determines the level of membership dues. Dispensation can be negotiated in particular cases by the basic committees, but have to be ratified by the National Council.