Glossary of terms

→ OMOV (One Member, One Vote)

A democratic voting principle where every party member has an equal vote in internal elections, selections, or decision-making processes.

→ STV (Single Transferable Vote)

A proportional voting system that allows members to rank candidates in order of preference. It ensures fairer representation by transferring surplus or unused votes until all positions are filled.

→ NPC (National Political Committee)

The party’s central governing body. It is elected by OMOV using STV and is accountable to the annual conference. The NPC articulates members’ views, supports and scrutinises leadership, and carries out conference decisions.

→ RPC (Regional Political Committee)

The party’s regional governing bodies. It is elected by OMOV using STV and is accountable to their local parties. The RPC scrutinises the regional field director. 

→ LPC (Local Political Committee)

The constituency party’s governing body. It oversees all local issues and runs local selections and campaigns.

→ Constituency Party

The basic organising unit of the party, rooted in parliamentary constituency boundaries. They elect local officers, select MPs, and organise political activity. 

→ Ward Party

A subdivision of a constituency party, based on local council wards, which elects delegates and participates in local candidate selections

→ Conference (Founding/Annual)

The highest decision-making body of the party, sovereign over all structures. Members can attend, submit motions, vote, and set the agenda. No other body (including the NPC) can overrule conference decisions

→ Conference Arrangements Committee (CAC)

A proposed body to organise conference, ensuring fair discussion and democratic agenda-setting.

→ National Field Director

An elected officer responsible for staffing, organising, and supporting the party nationally. Accountable to members through OMOV elections.

→ Regional Field Directors

Elected officers responsible for staffing and organising in the regions. They are accountable to both the NPC, the national field director and their regional political committees.

→ Party Chair

A senior figure elected by OMOV from the wider membership (not an MP). Chairs the NPC and can be removed by a two-thirds NPC vote. 

→ Delegate System

A model where local parties elect delegates to represent them at national or regional conferences. Contrasted with OMOV-based direct participation.

→ Trade Union Affiliation

The process by which unions formally affiliate to the party. Each affiliated union may have an NPC seat (elected internally by OMOV), but without block voting rights.

→ Bloc Vote

A traditional Labour Party mechanism where trade unions or affiliated groups cast large numbers of votes as a bloc proportionate to their number of members, often criticised for undermining grassroots democracy. 

→ Pluralist Open Primaries

Candidate selection processes where multiple parties or groups in an alliance can put forward candidates, and members vote openly to decide.

→ Conference Sovereignty

The principle that conference decisions cannot be overturned by the leadership or NPC, ensuring grassroots control.

→ Dual Membership

The ability for members to hold simultaneous membership in the new left party and other approved democratic parties, subject to NPC and conference ratification.

→ Natural Justice

A principle in disciplinary processes meaning that members must be treated fairly, with transparent procedures, clear reasons for decisions, and rights of appeal.

→ Three-Line Whip

A strict parliamentary instruction to MPs to vote in line with party policy. In the proposed democratic model, it only applies where conference policy clearly aligns with a debate.