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m Zhu Haifeng moved page National Executive Committee of the Labour Party to National Executive Committee (Labour Party): The correct name is 'National Executive Committee'. The words 'Labour Party' have been added in brackets, to distinguish it from the national executive committees of other organisations.
 
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| caption =
| caption =
| abbreviation = NEC
| abbreviation = NEC
| formation =
| formation = {{start date and age|1900|02|27|df=yes}}
| status =
| status =
| purpose =
| purpose =
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| membership =
| membership =
| leader_title = Chair
| leader_title = Chair
| leader_name = James Asser
| leader_name = [[Ellie Reeves]]
| leader_title2 = Vice-Chair
| leader_title2 = Vice-Chair
| leader_name2 = [[Ellie Reeves]]
| leader_name2 = [[Shabana Mahmood]]
| main_organ =
| main_organ =
| parent_organisation = [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]]
| parent_organisation = [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]]
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== History ==
== History ==
During the 1980s, the NEC had a major role in policy-making and was often at the heart of disputes over party policy.{{Citation needed|date=October 2024}}
{{more footnotes needed|section|date=April 2022}}
During the 1980s, the NEC had a major role in policy-making and was often at the heart of disputes over party policy.


In 1997, under [[Tony Blair|Tony Blair's]] new party leadership, the General Secretary [[Tom Sawyer, Baron Sawyer|Tom Sawyer]] enacted the Partnership in Power reforms.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Massey |first=Christopher |date=29 March 2021 |title=The Changing of the Praetorian Guard? The Size, Structure and Composition of the Labour Party's National Executive Committee and the Enduring Importance of Labour's Trade Unions |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1467-923X.12984 |journal=[[The Political Quarterly]] |access-date=1 June 2024 |via=[[Wiley Online Library]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Macintyre |first=Donald |author-link=Donald Macintyre (journalist) |date=9 September 1998 |title=How we all fought to end Labour's political corruption |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/how-we-all-fought-to-end-labour-s-political-corruption-1197106.html |access-date=1 June 2024 |work=[[The Independent]]}}</ref> This rebalanced the NEC's membership, including by reducing trade union membership to a minority for the first time in its history. The reforms also introduced new seats: two for local government, three for the Parliamentary Party, three for the (Shadow) Cabinet, and one for the [[European Parliamentary Labour Party]] (EPLP). Until these reforms, [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]] could stand for CLP section seats on the NEC, but thereafter MPs and [[MEPs]] could not stand in this section.<ref name=independent-19970930>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/labour-conference-left-jubilant-as-mandelson-fails-in-nec-election-1242024.html |title=Labour Conference: Left jubilant as Mandelson fails in NEC election |last=Abrams |first=Fran |newspaper=The Independent |date=30 September 1997 |access-date=1 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180801072624/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/labour-conference-left-jubilant-as-mandelson-fails-in-nec-election-1242024.html |archive-date=1 August 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> Moreover, under Blair, the committee's role declined. Its former policy development function is now largely carried out by the [[National Policy Forum]]. One of its committees has disciplinary powers including the ability to expel members of the party who have brought it into disrepute or to readmit previously expelled members. However, the NEC remains the administrative authority of the party.
In 1997, under [[Tony Blair|Tony Blair's]] new party leadership, the General Secretary [[Tom Sawyer, Baron Sawyer|Tom Sawyer]] enacted the Partnership in Power reforms.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Massey |first=Christopher |date=29 March 2021 |title=The Changing of the Praetorian Guard? The Size, Structure and Composition of the Labour Party's National Executive Committee and the Enduring Importance of Labour's Trade Unions |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1467-923X.12984 |journal=[[The Political Quarterly]] |volume=92 |issue=2 |pages=343–351 |doi=10.1111/1467-923X.12984 |access-date=1 June 2024 |via=[[Wiley Online Library]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Macintyre |first=Donald |author-link=Donald Macintyre (journalist) |date=9 September 1998 |title=How we all fought to end Labour's political corruption |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/how-we-all-fought-to-end-labour-s-political-corruption-1197106.html |access-date=1 June 2024 |work=[[The Independent]]}}</ref> This rebalanced the NEC's membership, including by reducing trade union membership to a minority for the first time in its history. The reforms also introduced new seats: two for local government, three for the Parliamentary Party, three for the (Shadow) Cabinet, and one for the [[European Parliamentary Labour Party]] (EPLP). Until these reforms, [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]] could stand for CLP section seats on the NEC, but thereafter MPs and [[MEPs]] could not stand in this section.<ref name=independent-19970930>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/labour-conference-left-jubilant-as-mandelson-fails-in-nec-election-1242024.html |title=Labour Conference: Left jubilant as Mandelson fails in NEC election |last=Abrams |first=Fran |newspaper=The Independent |date=30 September 1997 |access-date=1 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180801072624/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/labour-conference-left-jubilant-as-mandelson-fails-in-nec-election-1242024.html |archive-date=1 August 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> Moreover, under Blair, the committee's role declined. Its former policy development function is now largely carried out by the [[National Policy Forum]].{{Citation needed|date=October 2024}} One of its committees has disciplinary powers including the ability to expel members of the party who have brought it into disrepute or to readmit previously expelled members. However, the NEC remains the administrative authority of the party.{{Citation needed|date=October 2024}}


In 2007, a new seat on the NEC was made for the [[Black Socialist Society]], now known as [[BAME Labour]].<ref name="labour-uncut">{{cite news |last=Katwala |first=Sunder |date=1 October 2010 |title=And Labour's top baron is…Keith Vaz |url=http://www.labour-uncut.co.uk/2010/10/01/and-labours-top-baron-is-keith-vaz-by-sunder-katwala/ |access-date=1 June 2024 |work=Labour Uncut}}</ref>
In 2007, a new seat on the NEC was made for the [[Black Socialist Society]], now known as [[BAME Labour]].<ref name="labour-uncut">{{cite news |last=Katwala |first=Sunder |date=1 October 2010 |title=And Labour's top baron is…Keith Vaz |url=http://www.labour-uncut.co.uk/2010/10/01/and-labours-top-baron-is-keith-vaz-by-sunder-katwala/ |access-date=1 June 2024 |work=Labour Uncut}}</ref>
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The 2017 Conference saw the creation of four additional NEC seats: one in the trade union section and three in the CLP section. Although the additional union seat was elected at Conference, the extra CLP seats were not elected until January 2018.
The 2017 Conference saw the creation of four additional NEC seats: one in the trade union section and three in the CLP section. Although the additional union seat was elected at Conference, the extra CLP seats were not elected until January 2018.


In November 2020, following the [[Brexit withdrawal agreement]] ending UK representation within the [[European Parliament]] and ending the European Parliamentary Labour Party, the single seat on the NEC for the EPLP leader was replaced by a new disability representative.
In November 2020, following the [[Brexit withdrawal agreement]] ending UK representation within the [[European Parliament]] and ending the European Parliamentary Labour Party, the single seat on the NEC for the EPLP leader was replaced by a new disability representative.{{Citation needed|date=October 2024}}


The Labour History Archive and Study Centre at the [[People's History Museum]] in [[Manchester]] has the full run of the minutes of the National Executive Committee in their collection.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.phm.org.uk/archive-study-centre/ |title=Archive & Study Centre |publisher=People's History Museum |date=6 October 2015 |access-date=17 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160713111543/http://www.phm.org.uk/archive-study-centre/ |archive-date=13 July 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{citation |title=Collection Catalogues and Descriptions |publisher=People's History Museum |url=http://www.phm.org.uk/archive-study-centre/online-catalogue/ |access-date=20 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150113161101/http://www.phm.org.uk/archive-study-centre/online-catalogue/ |archive-date=13 January 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
The Labour History Archive and Study Centre at the [[People's History Museum]] in [[Manchester]] has the full run of the minutes of the National Executive Committee in their collection.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.phm.org.uk/archive-study-centre/ |title=Archive & Study Centre |publisher=People's History Museum |date=6 October 2015 |access-date=17 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160713111543/http://www.phm.org.uk/archive-study-centre/ |archive-date=13 July 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{citation |title=Collection Catalogues and Descriptions |publisher=People's History Museum |url=http://www.phm.org.uk/archive-study-centre/online-catalogue/ |access-date=20 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150113161101/http://www.phm.org.uk/archive-study-centre/online-catalogue/ |archive-date=13 January 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
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* [[Leader of the Labour Party (UK)|Leader of the Labour Party]]: [[Keir Starmer]] MP
* [[Leader of the Labour Party (UK)|Leader of the Labour Party]]: [[Keir Starmer]] MP
* [[Deputy Leader of the Labour Party (UK)|Deputy Leader of the Labour Party]]: [[Angela Rayner]] MP
* [[Deputy Leader of the Labour Party (UK)|Deputy Leader of the Labour Party]]: [[Angela Rayner]] MP
* Chair: [[Jessica Morden]] MP<ref>{{cite web | url=https://labourlist.org/2024/07/plp-parliamentary-labour-party-chair-nec-elections/ | title=PLP elections: Morden becomes chair as Akehurst and Singh Josan return to NEC | date=18 July 2024 }}</ref>
* Chair: James Asser
* Vice-Chair: [[Ellie Reeves]] MP
* Vice-Chair: [[Ellie Reeves]] MP
* [[Treasurer of the Labour Party|Treasurer]]: Mike Payne
* [[Treasurer of the Labour Party|Treasurer]]: Mike Payne
* Chair of Organisation Committee: Wendy Nichols
* Chair of Organisation Committee: Wendy Nichols
* Chair of the Equalities Committee: [[Angela Eagle]] MP
* Chair of the Equalities Committee: [[Angela Eagle]] MP
* Chair of the Disputes Panel: [[Gurinder Singh Josan]]
* Chair of the Disputes Panel: [[Gurinder Singh Josan]] MP
* Chair of the National Policy Forum (when a member of the NEC): [[Anneliese Dodds]] MP
* Chair of the National Policy Forum (when a member of the NEC): [[Anneliese Dodds]] MP
* Former Chair of the National Policy Forum (when a member of the NEC): Ann Black
* Former Chair of the National Policy Forum (when a member of the NEC): Ann Black
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*Biannual women's forum
*Biannual women's forum
*Biannual ethnic minorities forum
*Biannual ethnic minorities forum

Chair: [[Angela Eagle]] MP


====Business Board====
====Business Board====
The Business Board is responsible for overseeing the business functions of the organisation including the management of the finances.
The Business Board is responsible for overseeing the business functions of the organisation including the management of the finances.

Chair: Mike Payne


====Audit, Risk Management and Compliance Committee====
====Audit, Risk Management and Compliance Committee====
The Audit, Risk Management and Compliance Committee has responsibility for audit and compliance oversight, and is accountable for internal audit procedures providing a systematic approach to risk management in all of the party's activities. The committee ensures that the Labour Party's financial activities are within the law, and that an effective system of internal control is maintained.
The Audit, Risk Management and Compliance Committee has responsibility for audit and compliance oversight, and is accountable for internal audit procedures providing a systematic approach to risk management in all of the party's activities. The committee ensures that the Labour Party's financial activities are within the law, and that an effective system of internal control is maintained.

Chair: [[George Howarth]] MP


====Organisation Sub-Committee====
====Organisation Sub-Committee====
The Organisation Sub Committee is a sub-committee of the NEC (generally known as Org Sub) and is responsible for [[Labour Party Rule Book|party rules]] and [[Labour Party Rule Book|constitution]]; ensuring parties are operating effectively throughout the country to the highest standards and has overall responsibility for membership, investigations, selections, Conferences, electoral law, boundaries strategy and internal elections.
The Organisation Sub Committee is a sub-committee of the NEC (generally known as Org Sub) and is responsible for [[Labour Party Rule Book|party rules]] and [[Labour Party Rule Book|constitution]]; ensuring parties are operating effectively throughout the country to the highest standards and has overall responsibility for membership, investigations, selections, Conferences, electoral law, boundaries strategy and internal elections.

Chair: Wendy Nichols


=====Complaints & Disciplinary Sub-committee=====
=====Complaints & Disciplinary Sub-committee=====
The NEC Complaints & Disciplinary Sub-committee is a sub-committee of the NEC Organisation Sub-committee which hears membership appeals; re-admission applications; party disputes and conciliation; minor investigations and local government appeals where referred to the NEC. It operates in a [[quasi-judicial]] fashion, conducting hearings and interviews around the country where necessary.
The NEC Complaints & Disciplinary Sub-committee is a sub-committee of the NEC Organisation Sub-committee which hears membership appeals; re-admission applications; party disputes and conciliation; minor investigations and local government appeals where referred to the NEC. It operates in a [[quasi-judicial]] fashion, conducting hearings and interviews around the country where necessary.

Chair: [[Gurinder Singh Josan]]


==Membership==
==Membership==
Excluding ''[[ex officio]]'' members, NEC members are elected by their respective constituencies, and each serve a two-year term.<ref name="Members of the NEC" /> As of 2023, the NEC has 39 members, as follows<ref>[https://labour.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Rule-Book-2023-FINAL_web_v3.pdf Labour Party Rulebook, 2023]: Chapter 1, Clause VIII; Chapter 4, Clause III</ref>:
Excluding ''[[ex officio]]'' members, NEC members are elected by their respective constituencies, and each serve a two-year term.<ref name="Members of the NEC" /> As of 2023, the NEC has 39 members, as follows:<ref>[https://labour.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Rule-Book-2023-FINAL_web_v3.pdf Labour Party Rulebook, 2023]: Chapter 1, Clause VIII; Chapter 4, Clause III</ref>


* 3: ''Ex officio'' positions: [[Leader of the Labour Party (UK)|Leader]] & [[Deputy Leader of the Labour Party (UK)|Deputy Leader]] of the Labour Party, and [[Treasurer of the Labour Party|Party Treasurer]]
* 3: ''Ex officio'' positions: [[Leader of the Labour Party (UK)|Leader]] & [[Deputy Leader of the Labour Party (UK)|Deputy Leader]] of the Labour Party, and [[Treasurer of the Labour Party|Party Treasurer]]
* 13: Trade Unions representatives
* 13: Trade Unions representatives
* 6: MPs
* 6: MPs
** 3 [[Frontbench]] MPs (nominated by the Shadow Cabinet)
** 3 [[Frontbench]] MPs (nominated by the Cabinet)
** 3 [[Backbench]] MPs (elected by the members of the [[Parliamentary Labour Party]])
** 3 [[Backbench]] MPs (elected by the members of the [[Parliamentary Labour Party]])
* 2: [[Local government in the United Kingdom|Local Government]] represenatives{{Efn|(elected by and from [[Councillor#United Kingdom|councillors]], [[directly elected mayors]], and/or [[Police and Crime Commissioners]])}}
* 2: [[Local government in the United Kingdom|Local Government]] representatives{{Efn|Elected by and from [[Councillor#United Kingdom|councillors]], [[directly elected mayors]], and/or [[Police and Crime Commissioners]]}}
* 9: from [[Constituency Labour Party|CLPs]] {{Efn|nominated by CLPs, elected by all party members on a one member one vote basis}}
* 9: from [[Constituency Labour Party|CLPs]] {{Efn|nominated by CLPs, elected by all party members on a one member one vote basis}}
* 1: from the [[Socialist society (Labour Party)|Socialist and Co-operative Societies]]
* 1: from the [[Socialist society (Labour Party)|Socialist and Co-operative Societies]]
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* 3: 1 [[BAME Labour]], 1 [[Young Labour (UK)|Young Labour]], 1 Disabled members
* 3: 1 [[BAME Labour]], 1 [[Young Labour (UK)|Young Labour]], 1 Disabled members


The [[General Secretary of the Labour Party]] acts as the non-voting secretary to the NEC{{Citation needed|date=May 2024|reason=apparently not specified in rulebook nor on "who's on the NEC page"}}, the [[Chief Whip of the Labour Party|Chief Whip]] and the [[Chair of the Parliamentary Labour Party|PLP Chair]] also attend as non-voting members<ref name="Members of the NEC" />.
The [[General Secretary of the Labour Party]] acts as the non-voting secretary to the NEC{{Citation needed|date=May 2024|reason=apparently not specified in rulebook nor on "who's on the NEC page"}}, the [[Chief Whip of the Labour Party|Chief Whip]] and the [[Chair of the Parliamentary Labour Party|PLP Chair]] also attend as non-voting members.<ref name="Members of the NEC" />


== Current members ==
== Current members ==
{{updated|26 September 2024}}
{{updated|10 October 2023}}<ref>{{Cite web|last=Chappell|first=Elliot|title=Results released in NEC, national policy forum, youth and student wing elections|url=https://labourlist.org/2022/09/results-released-in-nec-national-policy-forum-and-youth-wing-elections/|date=2022-09-01|access-date=2022-09-07|website=LabourList|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Neame|first=Katie|title=Councillors elect Caliskan and Evans as NEC local government representatives|url=https://labourlist.org/2022/09/councillors-elect-caliskan-and-evans-as-nec-local-government-representatives/|access-date=2022-10-11|website=LabourList|language=en-GB}}</ref>
; Leader of the Labour Party:
; Leader of the Labour Party:
* [[Keir Starmer]] MP
* [[Keir Starmer]] MP
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* Mike Payne
* Mike Payne


; Opposition Front Bench:
; House of Commons Front Bench:
*[[Anneliese Dodds]] MP
*[[Shabana Mahmood]] MP
*[[Shabana Mahmood]] MP
*[[Ellie Reeves]] MP
*[[Ellie Reeves]] MP
*[[Jonathan Reynolds]] MP


; Youth Member Representative:
; Young Labour Representative:
* Elsie Greenwood
* Elsie Greenwood


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* Carol Sewell
* Carol Sewell


; Trade Unions:
; Division I - Trade Unions:
* Kathy Abu-Bakir ([[GMB (trade union)|GMB]])

* David Agbley ([[Unite the Union|Unite]])
* David Agbley ([[Unite the Union|Unite]])
* Kathy Abu-Bakir ([[GMB (trade union)|GMB]])
* Maggi Ferncombe ([[UNISON]])
* Isabelle Gutierrez ([[Musicians' Union (United Kingdom)|Musicians' Union]])
* Mark Ferguson ([[UNISON]])
* Jane Jones ([[Usdaw]])
* Nicola Jukes ([[Transport Salaried Staffs' Association|TSSA]])
* Nicola Jukes ([[Transport Salaried Staffs' Association|TSSA]])
* Isabelle Gutierrez ([[Musicians' Union (United Kingdom)|Musicians' Union]])
* Andy Kerr ([[Communication Workers Union (United Kingdom)|CWU]])
* Ian Murray ([[Fire Brigades Union|FBU]])
* Ian Murray ([[Fire Brigades Union|FBU]])
* Wendy Nichols ([[UNISON]])
* Wendy Nichols ([[UNISON]])
* Karen Rose ([[Communication Workers Union (United Kingdom)|CWU]])
* Gavin Sibthorpe ([[GMB (trade union)|GMB]])
* Gavin Sibthorpe ([[GMB (trade union)|GMB]])
* Joanne Thomas ([[Usdaw]])
* Joanne Thomas ([[Usdaw]])
* Michael Wheeler ([[Usdaw]])
* [[Mick Whelan]] ([[ASLEF]])
* [[Mick Whelan]] ([[ASLEF]])
* Mary Williams ([[Unite the Union|Unite]])
* Mary Williams ([[Unite the Union|Unite]])


; Socialist Societies:
; Division II - Socialist Societies:
* Cllr James Asser ([[Socialist Societies]])
* Anu Prashar ([[Socialist Societies]])


; Division III - Constituency Labour Parties:
; CLPs:
* Cat Arnold
* [[Luke Akehurst]]
* Jessica Barnard
* Jessica Barnard
* Johanna Baxter
* [[Ann Black]]
* [[Ann Black]]
* Gemma Bolton
* Gemma Bolton
* Cllr Yasmine Dar
* Yasmine Dar
* Angie Davies
* Abdi Duale
* Abdi Duale
* [[Peter Mason (politician)|Peter Mason]]
* [[Gurinder Singh Josan]]
* Jane Thomas
* Mish Rahman (co-opted after Naomi Wimborne-Idrissi was expelled from the party)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Naomi Wimborne-Idrissi suspended by Labour again for speaking at event of proscribed group |url=https://www.thejc.com/news/politics/naomi-wimborne-idrissi-suspended-by-labour-again-for-speaking-at-event-of-proscribed-group-5i4O0Lzmr6eKLCYH2ajeKJ |access-date=2022-09-25 |website=[[The Jewish Chronicle]]}}</ref>


; Labour Councillors:
; Division IV - Labour Councillors:
* Cllr Nesil Caliskan
* Cllr Claire Holland
* Cllr Tudor Evans
* Cllr Peter Wheeler


; Division V - Parliamentary Labour Party:
; PLP:
* [[Margaret Beckett]] MP
* [[Luke Akehurst]] MP
* [[Angela Eagle]] MP
* [[Gurinder Josan|Gurinder Singh Josan]] MP
* [[George Howarth]] MP
* [[Melanie Onn]] MP


; Scottish Labour and Welsh Labour
; Scottish Labour and Welsh Labour
* [[Jackie Baillie]] MSP (Deputy Leader of the Scottish Labour Party)
* [[Jackie Baillie]] MSP (Deputy Leader of the Scottish Labour Party)
* [[Carwyn Jones]] ([[Welsh Labour|Welsh Labour Representative]])
* [[Ann Jones (politician)|Ann Jones]] ([[Welsh Labour|Welsh Labour Representative]])

In addition, the General Secretary (Hollie Ridley), the PLP Chief Whip ([[Alan Campbell (politician)|Alan Campbell]] MP), and PLP Chair ([[Jessica Morden]] MP) attend [[Ex officio member|ex officio]] without a vote


==Chair of the National Executive Committee==
==Chair of the National Executive Committee==
The chair of the party is elected by the NEC from among its own members, and holds office for a calendar year, chairing both NEC meetings and national party conferences.
The chair of the party is elected by the NEC from among its own members, and holds office for a calendar year, chairing both NEC meetings and national party conferences.


The name of this post has become confused since 2001 when Labour Party leader [[Tony Blair]] appointed [[Charles Clarke]] to the courtesy position of [[Chair of the Labour Party]] without the NEC or the national conference authorising such a position.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/Archive/Article/0,4273,4228365,00.html|title=Blair mistook his Clarke for a chair|author= Roy Hattersley|publisher=The Guardian|date=26 July 2001|access-date=24 May 2007}}</ref> The office's name remains "chair of the party" in the [[Labour Party Rule Book|Labour Party Constitution]], but elsewhere the party presents the position as "Chair of the NEC".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.labour.org.uk/nec_committees|title=NEC committees|publisher=Labour Party|access-date=24 May 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070713084455/http://www.labour.org.uk/nec_committees |archive-date=13 July 2007}}</ref> Prior to 2001 the position was called "Chair of the Labour Party", and before that "Chairman of the Labour Party".
The name of this post has become confused since 2001 when Labour Party leader [[Tony Blair]] appointed [[Charles Clarke]] to the courtesy position of [[Chair of the Labour Party]] without the NEC or the national conference authorising such a position.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/Archive/Article/0,4273,4228365,00.html|title=Blair mistook his Clarke for a chair|author= Roy Hattersley|work=The Guardian|date=26 July 2001|access-date=24 May 2007}}</ref> The office's name remains "chair of the party" in the [[Labour Party Rule Book|Labour Party Constitution]], but elsewhere the party presents the position as "Chair of the NEC".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.labour.org.uk/nec_committees|title=NEC committees|publisher=Labour Party|access-date=24 May 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070713084455/http://www.labour.org.uk/nec_committees |archive-date=13 July 2007}}</ref> Prior to 2001 the position was called "Chair of the Labour Party", and before that "Chairman of the Labour Party".


===List of chairs of the Labour Party National Executive Committee===
===List of chairs of the Labour Party National Executive Committee===


'''Chairmen of the Annual Conference of the Labour Representation Committee'''<ref>'British Political Facts 1900–1994', Butler & Butler 1994, PP144-5</ref>
'''Chairmen of the Annual Conference of the Labour Representation Committee'''<ref>'British Political Facts 1900–1994', Butler & Butler 1994, PP144-5</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
:1900: [[W. C. Steadman|William Charles Steadman]] MP
|+
:1901: [[John Hodge (politician)|John Hodge]]
!Year
:1902: [[William John Davis]]
!Chair
:1903: [[Joseph Nicholas Bell]]
|-
:1904: [[John Hodge (politician)|John Hodge]]
|1900
|[[William Charles Steadman]] MP
:1905: [[Arthur Henderson]] MP
|-
|1901
|[[John Hodge (politician)|John Hodge]]
|-
|1902
|[[William John Davis]]
|-
|1903
|[[Joseph Nicholas Bell]]
|-
|1904
|[[John Hodge (politician)|John Hodge]]
|-
|1905
|[[Arthur Henderson]] MP
|}


'''Chairmen of the National Executive Committee of the Labour Representation Committee'''<ref>Kevin Jefferys, ''Leading Labour: From Keir Hardie to Tony Blair'', p.4</ref>
'''Chairmen of the National Executive Committee of the Labour Representation Committee'''<ref>Kevin Jefferys, ''Leading Labour: From Keir Hardie to Tony Blair'', p.4</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
:1900: [[W. C. Steadman|William Charles Steadman]] MP
|+
:1901: [[Allen Gee|Allan Gee]]
!Year
:1902: [[Richard Bell (British politician)|Richard Bell]] MP
!Chair
:1903: [[John Hodge (politician)|John Hodge]]
|-
:1904: [[David Shackleton|David J. Shackleton]]
|1900
|[[William Charles Steadman]] MP
:1905: [[Arthur Henderson]] MP
|-
|1901
|[[Allan Gee]]
|-
|1902
|[[Richard Bell (British politician)|Richard Bell]] MP
|-
|1903
|[[John Hodge (politician)|John Hodge]]
|-
|1904
|[[David J. Shackleton]]
|-
|1905
|[[Arthur Henderson]] MP
|}


'''Chairmen of the Annual Conference of the [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]]'''<ref>'British Political Facts 1900–1994', Butler & Butler 1994, pp.144–5 for the period down to 1993</ref><ref name="Members of the NEC">{{Cite web|url=https://labour.org.uk/about/how-we-work/national-executive-committee/whos-on-the-nec/|title=Who's on the NEC?|website=The Labour Party|access-date=25 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610041647/https://labour.org.uk/about/how-we-work/national-executive-committee/whos-on-the-nec/|archive-date=10 June 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>
'''Chairmen of the Annual Conference of the [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]]'''<ref>'British Political Facts 1900–1994', Butler & Butler 1994, pp.144–5 for the period down to 1993</ref><ref name="Members of the NEC">{{Cite web|url=https://labour.org.uk/about/how-we-work/national-executive-committee/whos-on-the-nec/|title=Who's on the NEC?|website=The Labour Party|access-date=25 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610041647/https://labour.org.uk/about/how-we-work/national-executive-committee/whos-on-the-nec/|archive-date=10 June 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
{{columns-list|
|+
:1906: [[Arthur Henderson]] MP
!Year
:1907: [[J. J. Stephenson]]
!Chair
:1908: [[Walter Hudson (British politician)|Walter Hudson]] MP
|-
:1909: [[J. R. Clynes|John Robert Clynes]] MP
|1906
|[[Arthur Henderson]] MP
:1910: [[Keir Hardie]] MP
:1911: [[William C. Robinson (politician)|William Cornforth Robinson]]
|-
:1912: [[Ben Turner (politician)|Ben Turner]]
|1907
:1913: [[George Roberts (British politician)|George Henry Roberts]] MP
|[[J. J. Stephenson]]
:1914: [[Tom Fox (Labour politician)|Tom Fox]]
|-
:1915: ''No conference held''
|1908
|[[Walter Hudson (British politician)|Walter Hudson]] MP
:1916: [[William Anderson (British politician)|William Crawford Anderson]] MP
:1917: [[George Wardle]] MP (acting)
|-
:1917–18: [[Frank Purdy|W. F. Purdy]]
|1906
:1918–19: [[John McGurk]]
|[[Arthur Henderson]] MP
:1919–20: [[William Harold Hutchinson]]
|-
:1920–21: [[Alexander Gordon Cameron]]
|1907
:1921–22: [[Fred Jowett]] MP
|[[J. J. Stephenson]]
:1922–23: [[Sidney Webb, 1st Baron Passfield|Sidney Webb]] MP
|-
:1923–24: [[Ramsay MacDonald]] MP
|1908
:1924–25: [[Charlie Cramp]]
|[[Walter Hudson (British politician)|Walter Hudson]] MP
:1925–26: [[Robert Williams (trade union leader)|Robert Williams]]
|-
:1926–27: [[Frederick Roberts (politician)|Frederick Roberts]] MP<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ukwhoswho.com/view/article/oupww/whowaswho/U231068/ROBERTS_Rt_Hon._Frederick_Owen?index=118&results=QuicksearchResults&query=0 |title=Who's Who |publisher=Ukwhoswho.com |access-date=18 March 2012}}</ref>
|1909
|[[John Robert Clynes]] MP
:1927–28: [[George Lansbury]] MP
:1928–29: [[Herbert Morrison]] MP
|-
:1929–30: [[Susan Lawrence]] MP
|1910
:1930–31: [[Stanley Hirst (trade unionist)|Stanley Hirst]]
|[[Keir Hardie]] MP
:1931–32: [[George Lathan]] MP
|-
:1932–33: [[Joseph Compton]]
|1911
:1933–34: [[Walter Smith (British politician)|Walter R. Smith]]
|[[William Cornforth Robinson]]
:1934–35: [[William Albert Robinson]]
|-
:1935–36: [[Jennie Adamson]]
|1912
:1936–37: [[Hugh Dalton]] MP
|[[Ben Turner (politician)|Ben Turner]]
:1937–39: [[George Dallas (Labour politician)|George Dallas]]{{Efn|no conference was held in 1938}}
|-
:1939–40: [[Barbara Ayrton-Gould]]
|1913
:1940–41: [[James Walker (Labour politician)|James Walker]] MP
|[[George Henry Roberts]] MP
:1941–42: [[Walter Green (politician)|Walter Henry Green]] MP<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ukwhoswho.com/view/article/oupww/whowaswho/U237936/GREEN_Walter_Henry?index=13&results=QuicksearchResults&query=0 |title=Who's Who |publisher=Ukwhoswho.com |access-date=18 March 2012}}</ref>
|-
:1942–43: [[Alfred Dobbs]]
|1914
|[[Tom Fox (Labour politician)|Tom Fox]]
:1943–44: [[George Ridley (Labour politician)|George Ridley]] MP
:1944–45: [[Ellen Wilkinson]] MP
|-
:1945–46: [[Harold Laski]]
|1915
:1946–47: [[Philip Noel-Baker]] MP
|''No conference held''
:1947–48: [[Emmanuel Shinwell]] MP
|-
:1948–49: [[Jim Griffiths]] MP
|1916
:1949–50: [[Sam Watson (Miners' leader)|Sam Watson]]
|[[William Crawford Anderson]] MP
:1950–51: [[Alice Bacon, Baroness Bacon|Alice Bacon]] MP
|-
:1951–52: [[Harry Earnshaw (trade unionist)|Harry Earnshaw]]
|1917
:1952–53: [[Arthur Greenwood]] MP
|[[George Wardle]] MP (acting)
:1953–54: [[Wilfrid Burke]] MP
|-
:1954–55: [[Edith Summerskill]] MP
|1917–18
:1955–56: [[Edwin Gooch]] MP
|[[W. F. Purdy]]
:1956–57: [[Peggy Herbison|Margaret Herbison]] MP
|-
:1957–58: [[Tom Driberg]]
|1918–19
:1958–59: [[Barbara Castle]] MP
|[[John McGurk]]
:1959–60: [[George Brinham]]
|-
:1960–61: [[Richard Crossman]] MP
|1919–20
|[[William Harold Hutchinson]]
:1961–62: [[Harold Wilson]] MP
:1962–63: [[Dai Davies (Labour politician)|Dai Davies]]
|-
:1963–64: [[Anthony Greenwood, Baron Greenwood of Rossendale|Anthony Greenwood]] MP
|1920–21
:1964–65: [[Ray Gunter]] MP
|[[Alexander Gordon Cameron]]
:1965–66: [[Walter Padley]] MP
|-
:1966–67: [[John McFarlane Boyd]]
|1921–22
:1967–68: [[Jennie Lee, Baroness Lee of Asheridge|Jennie Lee]] MP
|[[Fred Jowett]] MP
:1968–69: [[Eirene White]] MP
|-
:1969–70: [[Arthur Skeffington]] MP
|1922–23
|[[Sidney Webb]] MP
:1970–71: [[Ian Mikardo]] MP
:1971–72: [[Tony Benn]] MP
|-
:1972–73: [[William Simpson (trade unionist)|William Simpson]]
|1923–24
|[[Ramsay MacDonald]] MP
:1973–74: [[James Callaghan]] MP
:1974–75: [[Fred Mulley]] MP
|-
:1975–76: [[Tom Bradley (UK politician)|Tom Bradley]] MP
|1924–25
:1976–77: [[John Chalmers (trade unionist)|John Chalmers]]
|[[Charlie Cramp]]
:1977–78: [[Joan Lestor]] MP
|-
:1978–79: [[Frank Allaun]] MP
|1925–26
:1979–80: [[Lena Jeger]]
|[[Robert Williams (trade union leader)|Robert Williams]]
:1980–81: [[Alex Kitson]]
|-
:1981–82: [[Judith Hart]] MP
|1926–27
:1982–83: [[Sam McCluskie]]
|[[Frederick Roberts (politician)|Frederick Roberts]] MP<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ukwhoswho.com/view/article/oupww/whowaswho/U231068/ROBERTS_Rt_Hon._Frederick_Owen?index=118&results=QuicksearchResults&query=0 |title=Who's Who |publisher=Ukwhoswho.com |access-date=18 March 2012}}</ref>
:1983–84: [[Eric Heffer]] MP
|-
:1984–85: Alan Hadden
|1927–28
:1985–86: Neville Hough
|[[George Lansbury]] MP
:1986–87: [[Syd Tierney]]
|-
:1987–88: [[Neil Kinnock]] MP
|1928–29
|[[Herbert Morrison]] MP
:1988–89: [[Dennis Skinner]] MP
:1989–90: [[Jo Richardson]] MP
|-
:1990–91: [[Tom Sawyer, Baron Sawyer|Tom Sawyer]]
|1929–30
:1991–92: [[John Evans, Baron Evans of Parkside|John Evans]] MP
|[[Susan Lawrence]] MP
:1992–93: [[Anthony Clarke, Baron Clarke of Hampstead|Tony Clarke]]
|-
:1993–94: [[David Blunkett]] MP
|1930–31
:1994–95: [[Gordon Colling]]
|[[Stanley Hirst (trade unionist)|Stanley Hirst]]
:1995–96: Diana Jeuda
|-
:1996–97: [[Robin Cook]] MP
|1931–32
:1997–98: [[Richard Rosser]]
|[[George Lathan]] MP
:1998–99: Brenda Etchells
|-
:1999–00: Vernon Hince
|1932–33
:2000–01: [[Maggie Jones, Baroness Jones of Whitchurch|Maggie Jones]]
|[[Joseph Compton]]
:2001–02: [[Margaret Wall]]
|-
:2002–03: [[Diana Holland]]
|1933–34
:2003–04: [[Mary Turner (trade unionist)|Mary Turner]]
|[[Walter R. Smith]]
:2004–05: [[Ian McCartney]] MP
|-
:2005–06: [[Jeremy Beecham]]
|1934–35
:2006–07: Michael Griffiths
|[[William Albert Robinson]]
:2007–08: [[Dianne Hayter]]
|-
:2008–09: Cath Speight
|1935–36
:2009–10: [[Ann Black]]
|[[Jennie Adamson]]
:2010–11: Norma Stephenson
|-
:2011–12: [[Michael Cashman]] MEP
|1936–37
:2012–13: [[Harriet Yeo]]
|[[Hugh Dalton]] MP
:2013–14: [[Angela Eagle]] MP
|-
:2014–15: Jim Kennedy
|1937–39
:2015–16: [[Paddy Lillis]]
|[[George Dallas (Labour politician)|George Dallas]] (no conference in 1938)
:2016–17: [[Glenis Willmott]] MEP
|-
:2017–18: Andy Kerr
|1939–40
:2018–19: Wendy Nichols
|[[Barbara Ayrton-Gould]]
:2019–20: Andi Fox
|-
:2020–21: [[Margaret Beckett]] MP
|1940–41
:2021–22: Cllr Alice Perry
|[[James Walker (Labour politician)|James Walker]] MP
:2022–23: [[Johanna Baxter]]
|-
:2023–24: [[James Asser]]
|1941–42
:2024-25: [[Ellie Reeves]] MP
|[[Walter Henry Green]] MP<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ukwhoswho.com/view/article/oupww/whowaswho/U237936/GREEN_Walter_Henry?index=13&results=QuicksearchResults&query=0 |title=Who's Who |publisher=Ukwhoswho.com |access-date=18 March 2012}}</ref>
|colwidth=20em}}
|-
|1942–43
|[[Alfred Dobbs]]
|-
|1943–44
|[[George Ridley (Labour politician)|George Ridley]] MP
|-
|1944–45
|[[Ellen Wilkinson]] MP
|-
|1945–46
|[[Harold Laski]]
|-
|1946–47
|[[Philip Noel-Baker]] MP
|-
|1947–48
|[[Emmanuel Shinwell]] MP
|-
|1948–49
|[[Jim Griffiths]] MP
|-
|1949–50
|[[Sam Watson (Miners' leader)|Sam Watson]]
|-
|1950–51
|[[Alice Bacon, Baroness Bacon|Alice Bacon]] MP
|-
|1951–52
|[[Harry Earnshaw (trade unionist)|Harry Earnshaw]]
|-
|1952–53
|[[Arthur Greenwood]] MP
|-
|1953–54
|[[Wilfrid Burke]] MP
|-
|1954–55
|[[Edith Summerskill]] MP
|-
|1955–56
|[[Edwin Gooch]] MP
|-
|1956–57
|[[Margaret Herbison]] MP
|-
|1957–58
|[[Tom Driberg]]
|-
|1958–59
|[[Barbara Castle]] MP
|-
|1959–60
|[[George Brinham]]
|-
|1960–61
|[[Richard Crossman]] MP
|-
|1961–62
|[[Harold Wilson]] MP
|-
|1962–63
|[[Dai Davies (Labour politician)|Dai Davies]]
|-
|1963–64
|[[Anthony Greenwood]] MP
|-
|1964–65
|[[Ray Gunter]] MP
|-
|1965–66
|[[Walter Padley]] MP
|-
|1966–67
|[[John McFarlane Boyd]]
|-
|1967–68
|[[Jennie Lee, Baroness Lee of Asheridge|Jennie Lee]] MP
|-
|1968–69
|[[Eirene White]] MP
|-
|1969–70
|[[Arthur Skeffington]] MP
|-
|1970–71
|[[Ian Mikardo]] MP
|-
|1971–72
|[[Tony Benn]] MP
|-
|1972–73
|[[William Simpson (trade unionist)|William Simpson]]
|-
|1973–74
|[[James Callaghan]] MP
|-
|1974–75
|[[Fred Mulley]] MP
|-
|1975–76
|[[Tom Bradley (UK politician)|Tom Bradley]] MP
|-
|1976–77
|[[John Chalmers (trade unionist)|John Chalmers]]
|-
|1977–78
|[[Joan Lestor]] MP
|-
|1978–79
|[[Frank Allaun]] MP
|-
|1979–80
|[[Lena Jeger]]
|-
|1980–81
|[[Alex Kitson]]
|-
|1981–82
|[[Judith Hart]] MP
|-
|1982–83
|[[Sam McCluskie]]
|-
|1983–84
|[[Eric Heffer]] MP
|-
|1984–85
|Alan Hadden
|-
|1985–86
|Neville Hough
|-
|1986–87
|[[Syd Tierney]]
|-
|1987–88
|[[Neil Kinnock]] MP
|-
|1988–89
|[[Dennis Skinner]] MP
|-
|1989–90
|[[Jo Richardson]] MP
|-
|1990–91
|[[Tom Sawyer, Baron Sawyer|Tom Sawyer]]
|-
|1991–92
|[[John Evans, Baron Evans of Parkside|John Evans]] MP
|-
|1992–93
|[[Anthony Clarke, Baron Clarke of Hampstead|Tony Clarke]]
|-
|1993–94
|[[David Blunkett]] MP
|-
|1994–95
|[[Gordon Colling]]
|-
|1995–96
|Diana Jeuda
|-
|1996–97
|[[Robin Cook]] MP
|-
|1997–98
|[[Richard Rosser]]
|-
|1998–99
|Brenda Etchells
|-
|1999–00
|Vernon Hince
|-
|2000–01
|[[Maggie Jones, Baroness Jones of Whitchurch|Maggie Jones]]
|-
|2001–02
|[[Margaret Wall]]
|-
|2002–03
|[[Diana Holland]]
|-
|2003–04
|[[Mary Turner (trade unionist)|Mary Turner]]
|-
|2004–05
|[[Ian McCartney]] MP
|-
|2005–06
|[[Jeremy Beecham]]
|-
|2006–07
|Michael Griffiths
|-
|2007–08
|[[Dianne Hayter]]
|-
|2008–09
|Cath Speight
|-
|2009–10
|[[Ann Black]]
|-
|2010–11
|Norma Stephenson
|-
|2011–12
|[[Michael Cashman]] MEP
|-
|2012–13
|[[Harriet Yeo]]
|-
|2013–14
|[[Angela Eagle]] MP
|-
|2014–15
|Jim Kennedy
|-
|2015–16
|[[Paddy Lillis]]
|-
|2016–17
|[[Glenis Willmott]] MEP
|-
|2017–18
|Andy Kerr
|-
|2018–19
|Wendy Nichols
|-
|2019–20
|Andi Fox
|-
|2020–21
|[[Margaret Beckett]] MP
|-
|2021–22
|Cllr Alice Perry
|-
|2022-23
|Johanna Baxter
|-
|2023-24
|Cllr James Asser
|}


==See also==
==See also==
*[[Conservative Party Board]]
*[[Conservative Party Board]]
*[[Federal Board (Liberal Democrats)|Liberal Democrats Federal Board]]
*[[Federal Board (Liberal Democrats)|Liberal Democrats Federal Board]]
*[[Labour Party Rule Book]]


==Notes==
==Notes==
{{notelist}}
{{notelist}}


== External Links ==
== References ==
{{reflist|30em}}


==Further reading==
*[https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1467-923X.12984 The Changing of the Praetorian Guard?]
* {{Cite journal |last1=Laffin |first1=Martin |last2=Shaw |first2=Eric |last3=Taylor |first3=Gerald |date=January 2007 |title=The New Sub-National Politics of the British Labour Party |url=https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1354068806071265 |journal=Party Politics |language=en |volume=13 |issue=1 |pages=88–108 |doi=10.1177/1354068806071265 |hdl=1893/1049 |issn=1354-0688|hdl-access=free }}
* {{Cite journal |last=McCormick |first=Paul |date=1980 |title=The Labour Party: Three Unnoticed Changes |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/193528 |journal=British Journal of Political Science |volume=10 |issue=3 |pages=381–387 |doi=10.1017/S0007123400002258 |jstor=193528 |issn=0007-1234}}


* {{Cite journal |last=McKenzie |first=R. T. |date=January 1956 |title=The Wilson Report and the Future of the Labour Party Organization |url=https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1111/j.1467-9248.1956.tb00943.x |journal=Political Studies |language=en |volume=4 |issue=1 |pages=93–97 |doi=10.1111/j.1467-9248.1956.tb00943.x |issn=0032-3217}}
== References ==

{{Reflist|30em}}
* {{Cite journal |last=Massey |first=Christopher |date=April 2021 |title=The Changing of the Praetorian Guard? The Size, Structure and Composition of the Labour Party's National Executive Committee and the Enduring Importance of Labour's Trade Unions |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1467-923X.12984 |journal=The Political Quarterly |language=en |volume=92 |issue=2 |pages=343–351 |doi=10.1111/1467-923X.12984 |issn=0032-3179}}
* {{Cite book |last=Russell |first=Meg |title=Building New Labour: The Politics of Party Organisation |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |year=2005 |isbn=978-1-4039-3994-4 |pages=172–189 |chapter=The National Executive Committee |doi=10.1057/9780230513167_7 |chapter-url=http://link.springer.com/10.1057/9780230513167_7}}

* {{Cite journal |last=Shaw |first=Eric |date=April 1989 |title=The Labour Party and The Militant Tendency |url=https://academic.oup.com/pa/article/1453359/THE |journal=Parliamentary Affairs |language=en |volume=42 |issue=2 |pages=180–196 |doi=10.1093/oxfordjournals.pa.a052189 |issn=1460-2482}}

* {{Cite journal |last=Sibley |first=John Richard |date=March 1978 |title=Labour Party Committee Elections and The Labour Leader, 1945–1976 |url=https://ejpr.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1475-6765.1978.tb00550.x |journal=European Journal of Political Research |language=en |volume=6 |issue=1 |pages=71–104 |doi=10.1111/j.1475-6765.1978.tb00550.x |issn=0304-4130}}

==External links==
* [https://labour.org.uk/whos-on-the-nec/ "Members of the NEC" ''Labour'' (2024)]


{{UK Labour Party}}
{{UK Labour Party}}

Latest revision as of 15:12, 15 December 2024

National Executive Committee
AbbreviationNEC
Formation27 February 1900; 124 years ago (1900-02-27)
HeadquartersLondon, England
Chair
Ellie Reeves
Vice-Chair
Shabana Mahmood
Parent organisation
Labour Party

The National Executive Committee (NEC) is the governing body of the UK Labour Party, setting the overall strategic direction of the party and policy development. Its composition has changed over the years, and includes representatives of affiliated trade unions, the Parliamentary Labour Party, constituency Labour parties (CLP), and socialist societies, as well as ex officio members such as the party Leader and Deputy Leader and several of their appointees.

History

[edit]

During the 1980s, the NEC had a major role in policy-making and was often at the heart of disputes over party policy.[citation needed]

In 1997, under Tony Blair's new party leadership, the General Secretary Tom Sawyer enacted the Partnership in Power reforms.[1][2] This rebalanced the NEC's membership, including by reducing trade union membership to a minority for the first time in its history. The reforms also introduced new seats: two for local government, three for the Parliamentary Party, three for the (Shadow) Cabinet, and one for the European Parliamentary Labour Party (EPLP). Until these reforms, Member of Parliament could stand for CLP section seats on the NEC, but thereafter MPs and MEPs could not stand in this section.[3] Moreover, under Blair, the committee's role declined. Its former policy development function is now largely carried out by the National Policy Forum.[citation needed] One of its committees has disciplinary powers including the ability to expel members of the party who have brought it into disrepute or to readmit previously expelled members. However, the NEC remains the administrative authority of the party.[citation needed]

In 2007, a new seat on the NEC was made for the Black Socialist Society, now known as BAME Labour.[4]

In 2016, two new seats, one each for Scottish Labour and Welsh Labour, were added.[5]

The 2017 Conference saw the creation of four additional NEC seats: one in the trade union section and three in the CLP section. Although the additional union seat was elected at Conference, the extra CLP seats were not elected until January 2018.

In November 2020, following the Brexit withdrawal agreement ending UK representation within the European Parliament and ending the European Parliamentary Labour Party, the single seat on the NEC for the EPLP leader was replaced by a new disability representative.[citation needed]

The Labour History Archive and Study Centre at the People's History Museum in Manchester has the full run of the minutes of the National Executive Committee in their collection.[6][7]

Organisation

[edit]

NEC Officers

[edit]

As of October 2023, the Officers of the NEC are:[8]

Joint Policy Committee

[edit]

The Joint Policy Committee (JPC) has strategic oversight of policy development in the party through overseeing the rolling programme of Partnership in Power. The JPC acts as the steering group for the National Policy Forum. It is therefore a joint committee made up of NEC, Government and National Policy Forum representatives.

NEC Co-Convenor: Gavin Sibthorpe

NEC sub-committees

[edit]

The following are sub-committees of the NEC:[8]

Equalities Committee

[edit]

The Equalities Committee responsibilities and roles include:

  • Women's recruitment, retention and participation in the party in elected office and the development of women's forums at local level
  • Black, Asian and ethnic minority recruitment, retention and participation in the party
  • Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender representation and participation within the party
  • Disability access and increased representation and participation of members with disabilities
  • Considering effective party responses to Employment Framework Directive based on Article 13 (Treaty on European Union) and the European Union Action Programme to Combat Discrimination
  • Responsibility for driving the Party's equality agenda and the development of an inclusive organisation at all levels
  • Link with Organisation Committee and Young Labour Co-ordinating Committee on issues of age discrimination
  • Biannual women's forum
  • Biannual ethnic minorities forum

Business Board

[edit]

The Business Board is responsible for overseeing the business functions of the organisation including the management of the finances.

Audit, Risk Management and Compliance Committee

[edit]

The Audit, Risk Management and Compliance Committee has responsibility for audit and compliance oversight, and is accountable for internal audit procedures providing a systematic approach to risk management in all of the party's activities. The committee ensures that the Labour Party's financial activities are within the law, and that an effective system of internal control is maintained.

Organisation Sub-Committee

[edit]

The Organisation Sub Committee is a sub-committee of the NEC (generally known as Org Sub) and is responsible for party rules and constitution; ensuring parties are operating effectively throughout the country to the highest standards and has overall responsibility for membership, investigations, selections, Conferences, electoral law, boundaries strategy and internal elections.

Complaints & Disciplinary Sub-committee
[edit]

The NEC Complaints & Disciplinary Sub-committee is a sub-committee of the NEC Organisation Sub-committee which hears membership appeals; re-admission applications; party disputes and conciliation; minor investigations and local government appeals where referred to the NEC. It operates in a quasi-judicial fashion, conducting hearings and interviews around the country where necessary.

Membership

[edit]

Excluding ex officio members, NEC members are elected by their respective constituencies, and each serve a two-year term.[10] As of 2023, the NEC has 39 members, as follows:[11]

The General Secretary of the Labour Party acts as the non-voting secretary to the NEC[citation needed], the Chief Whip and the PLP Chair also attend as non-voting members.[10]

Current members

[edit]
As of 26 September 2024
Leader of the Labour Party
Deputy Leader of the Labour Party
Treasurer
  • Mike Payne
House of Commons Front Bench
Young Labour Representative
  • Elsie Greenwood
Disabled Members Representative
  • Ellen Morrison
BAME Representative
  • Carol Sewell
Division I - Trade Unions
Division II - Socialist Societies
Division III - Constituency Labour Parties
  • Cat Arnold
  • Jessica Barnard
  • Ann Black
  • Gemma Bolton
  • Yasmine Dar
  • Angie Davies
  • Abdi Duale
  • Peter Mason
  • Jane Thomas
Division IV - Labour Councillors
  • Cllr Claire Holland
  • Cllr Peter Wheeler
Division V - Parliamentary Labour Party
Scottish Labour and Welsh Labour

In addition, the General Secretary (Hollie Ridley), the PLP Chief Whip (Alan Campbell MP), and PLP Chair (Jessica Morden MP) attend ex officio without a vote

Chair of the National Executive Committee

[edit]

The chair of the party is elected by the NEC from among its own members, and holds office for a calendar year, chairing both NEC meetings and national party conferences.

The name of this post has become confused since 2001 when Labour Party leader Tony Blair appointed Charles Clarke to the courtesy position of Chair of the Labour Party without the NEC or the national conference authorising such a position.[12] The office's name remains "chair of the party" in the Labour Party Constitution, but elsewhere the party presents the position as "Chair of the NEC".[13] Prior to 2001 the position was called "Chair of the Labour Party", and before that "Chairman of the Labour Party".

List of chairs of the Labour Party National Executive Committee

[edit]

Chairmen of the Annual Conference of the Labour Representation Committee[14]

1900: William Charles Steadman MP
1901: John Hodge
1902: William John Davis
1903: Joseph Nicholas Bell
1904: John Hodge
1905: Arthur Henderson MP

Chairmen of the National Executive Committee of the Labour Representation Committee[15]

1900: William Charles Steadman MP
1901: Allan Gee
1902: Richard Bell MP
1903: John Hodge
1904: David J. Shackleton
1905: Arthur Henderson MP

Chairmen of the Annual Conference of the Labour Party[16][10]

1906: Arthur Henderson MP
1907: J. J. Stephenson
1908: Walter Hudson MP
1909: John Robert Clynes MP
1910: Keir Hardie MP
1911: William Cornforth Robinson
1912: Ben Turner
1913: George Henry Roberts MP
1914: Tom Fox
1915: No conference held
1916: William Crawford Anderson MP
1917: George Wardle MP (acting)
1917–18: W. F. Purdy
1918–19: John McGurk
1919–20: William Harold Hutchinson
1920–21: Alexander Gordon Cameron
1921–22: Fred Jowett MP
1922–23: Sidney Webb MP
1923–24: Ramsay MacDonald MP
1924–25: Charlie Cramp
1925–26: Robert Williams
1926–27: Frederick Roberts MP[17]
1927–28: George Lansbury MP
1928–29: Herbert Morrison MP
1929–30: Susan Lawrence MP
1930–31: Stanley Hirst
1931–32: George Lathan MP
1932–33: Joseph Compton
1933–34: Walter R. Smith
1934–35: William Albert Robinson
1935–36: Jennie Adamson
1936–37: Hugh Dalton MP
1937–39: George Dallas[c]
1939–40: Barbara Ayrton-Gould
1940–41: James Walker MP
1941–42: Walter Henry Green MP[18]
1942–43: Alfred Dobbs
1943–44: George Ridley MP
1944–45: Ellen Wilkinson MP
1945–46: Harold Laski
1946–47: Philip Noel-Baker MP
1947–48: Emmanuel Shinwell MP
1948–49: Jim Griffiths MP
1949–50: Sam Watson
1950–51: Alice Bacon MP
1951–52: Harry Earnshaw
1952–53: Arthur Greenwood MP
1953–54: Wilfrid Burke MP
1954–55: Edith Summerskill MP
1955–56: Edwin Gooch MP
1956–57: Margaret Herbison MP
1957–58: Tom Driberg
1958–59: Barbara Castle MP
1959–60: George Brinham
1960–61: Richard Crossman MP
1961–62: Harold Wilson MP
1962–63: Dai Davies
1963–64: Anthony Greenwood MP
1964–65: Ray Gunter MP
1965–66: Walter Padley MP
1966–67: John McFarlane Boyd
1967–68: Jennie Lee MP
1968–69: Eirene White MP
1969–70: Arthur Skeffington MP
1970–71: Ian Mikardo MP
1971–72: Tony Benn MP
1972–73: William Simpson
1973–74: James Callaghan MP
1974–75: Fred Mulley MP
1975–76: Tom Bradley MP
1976–77: John Chalmers
1977–78: Joan Lestor MP
1978–79: Frank Allaun MP
1979–80: Lena Jeger
1980–81: Alex Kitson
1981–82: Judith Hart MP
1982–83: Sam McCluskie
1983–84: Eric Heffer MP
1984–85: Alan Hadden
1985–86: Neville Hough
1986–87: Syd Tierney
1987–88: Neil Kinnock MP
1988–89: Dennis Skinner MP
1989–90: Jo Richardson MP
1990–91: Tom Sawyer
1991–92: John Evans MP
1992–93: Tony Clarke
1993–94: David Blunkett MP
1994–95: Gordon Colling
1995–96: Diana Jeuda
1996–97: Robin Cook MP
1997–98: Richard Rosser
1998–99: Brenda Etchells
1999–00: Vernon Hince
2000–01: Maggie Jones
2001–02: Margaret Wall
2002–03: Diana Holland
2003–04: Mary Turner
2004–05: Ian McCartney MP
2005–06: Jeremy Beecham
2006–07: Michael Griffiths
2007–08: Dianne Hayter
2008–09: Cath Speight
2009–10: Ann Black
2010–11: Norma Stephenson
2011–12: Michael Cashman MEP
2012–13: Harriet Yeo
2013–14: Angela Eagle MP
2014–15: Jim Kennedy
2015–16: Paddy Lillis
2016–17: Glenis Willmott MEP
2017–18: Andy Kerr
2018–19: Wendy Nichols
2019–20: Andi Fox
2020–21: Margaret Beckett MP
2021–22: Cllr Alice Perry
2022–23: Johanna Baxter
2023–24: James Asser
2024-25: Ellie Reeves MP

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Elected by and from councillors, directly elected mayors, and/or Police and Crime Commissioners
  2. ^ nominated by CLPs, elected by all party members on a one member one vote basis
  3. ^ no conference was held in 1938

References

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  1. ^ Massey, Christopher (29 March 2021). "The Changing of the Praetorian Guard? The Size, Structure and Composition of the Labour Party's National Executive Committee and the Enduring Importance of Labour's Trade Unions". The Political Quarterly. 92 (2): 343–351. doi:10.1111/1467-923X.12984. Retrieved 1 June 2024 – via Wiley Online Library.
  2. ^ Macintyre, Donald (9 September 1998). "How we all fought to end Labour's political corruption". The Independent. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  3. ^ Abrams, Fran (30 September 1997). "Labour Conference: Left jubilant as Mandelson fails in NEC election". The Independent. Archived from the original on 1 August 2018. Retrieved 1 August 2018.
  4. ^ Katwala, Sunder (1 October 2010). "And Labour's top baron is…Keith Vaz". Labour Uncut. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  5. ^ "Conference liveblog: Welsh and Scottish Labour celebrate party reform victory". LabourList. 28 September 2016. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  6. ^ "Archive & Study Centre". People's History Museum. 6 October 2015. Archived from the original on 13 July 2016. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
  7. ^ Collection Catalogues and Descriptions, People's History Museum, archived from the original on 13 January 2015, retrieved 20 January 2015
  8. ^ a b "NEC Committees". The Labour Party. Retrieved 11 October 2022.
  9. ^ "PLP elections: Morden becomes chair as Akehurst and Singh Josan return to NEC". 18 July 2024.
  10. ^ a b c "Who's on the NEC?". The Labour Party. Archived from the original on 10 June 2020. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  11. ^ Labour Party Rulebook, 2023: Chapter 1, Clause VIII; Chapter 4, Clause III
  12. ^ Roy Hattersley (26 July 2001). "Blair mistook his Clarke for a chair". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 May 2007.
  13. ^ "NEC committees". Labour Party. Archived from the original on 13 July 2007. Retrieved 24 May 2007.
  14. ^ 'British Political Facts 1900–1994', Butler & Butler 1994, PP144-5
  15. ^ Kevin Jefferys, Leading Labour: From Keir Hardie to Tony Blair, p.4
  16. ^ 'British Political Facts 1900–1994', Butler & Butler 1994, pp.144–5 for the period down to 1993
  17. ^ "Who's Who". Ukwhoswho.com. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
  18. ^ "Who's Who". Ukwhoswho.com. Retrieved 18 March 2012.

Further reading

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