Labour has defended its leadership election rules amid evidence some people can cast multiple votes. Labour MPs, MEPs, party members and members of affiliated trade unions and socialist societies are all entitled to take part in the contest. But people can register for more than one vote by joining different bodies.
…
Research by the BBC found it was possible to join a number of unions or societies - more than 30 of which are affiliated to Labour - and secure separate votes in the leadership contest.
“Evidence”? “Research by the BBC”?
The leadership election rules – last changed in 1993, if I remember rightly – state that this is so very clearly.
Morons.
4 comments:
So there's two angles to this story:
(1) The BBC is overstating its investigative skills and
(2) it's possible for Labour members to cast multiple votes.
Your take on (1) is spot on - can't help but think (2) deserves more attention though....
'One membership, one vote' might be the better way to describe it.
This electoral college is exactly the same way the 1994 and 2007 (deputy) elections were run, and it's so very very not news.
Since party votes are worth more than affiliate votes (erm, I mean, I CAN EXCLUSIVELY REVEAL yadda yadda yadda) people wanting to move things towards their preferred candidate would be better off persuading someone who agrees with them to join up rather than joining other societies themselves.
I don't suppose anyone has worked out what the cheapest combo of membership fees equals enough affiliate votes to be worth one extra member. It claims one party membership vote = 10 affiliate votes in the BBC story, but the NS works it as 1 = 21.
The ratio of party vote to affiliate vote weighting would depend on turnout in the different sections.
The most cost-effective way to get a big vote is to be an MP or MEP: as well as a lot of weighting, you get all that pay and expenses!
Post a Comment