Elections for the Labour National Executive Committee (NEC) have started in earnest and if you’re reading this blog odds are, you’re the kind of person who really gets into internal elections (no judgment intended). Joe Wheatley is one of the candidates for the Labour NEC and fortuitously is on good terms with the runners of this site.
I’ve known Joe for a number of years through our shared involvement in the GMB Young Workers Network. Therefore I dropped Joe a line to ask if he would be happy to answer some questions from a Neo-Bevanite perspective and he was only too happy to oblige. Here at We Need To Talk About Bevan we ask the big questions. Questions related to factional support, the role of the union movement in the Labour Party, and of course what’s your favourite Bevan quote… Hard hitting stuff I think you’ll agree.
So please find below Joe Wheatley’s answers to a series of questions from We Need To Talk About Bevan regarding his run for Labour NEC and our summation from the responses given.
1. Why are you running for Labour NEC? I’m running because I believe passionately in the policies of the party and working collaboratively with our mass membership to strengthen our internal democracy and build on the support for our movement. I’m standing to ensure we have a serious discussion on what members want from their CLP reps; to hear your expectations; and [to find out] how CLP Reps can work to develop constituency input into the NEC decision making process.
2. You’re running for Labour NEC without being on a slate or being backed by a specific faction. Was that a conscious decision? How do you think it affects your campaign?
No. Speaking honestly, I applied to stand when I read and considered the invite email sent out to all members, so I was well out of time to organise getting on a slate. However, should I stand again, I would stand consciously as an independent. I think there are many excellent candidates who can be pigeon-holed and labelled far too quickly simply because of their association to a slate. Ultimately there are members who make predeterminations (like we all do) when they see those slates and the ideas get lost. People have to read my materials to know where I stand.
I think it does affect my campaign. Slate candidates have historically always received far better results than independents. As an independent candidate, with little name recognition, I know that the chances of success are about as likely as an asthmatic ant trying to cross the Sahara desert, but surprises do happen in the Labour Party.
3. What do you see as the main function of the Labour NEC and what would you bring to that role?
Holding the Leadership and the General Secretary to account. I have a good reputation in the GMB as an Accompanying Rep and an EC Officer in our Regional Young Members Network for detail and blunt honesty. Naturally I would seek to bring those qualities, together with my experience and reputation as a former Chair of Shipley CLP for collaboration and empowering the voices of our grassroots members. Wherever possible I would through one forum or another, seek to share discussion points with the membership so I could ensure your voices are heard in the decision making process.
4. Now we know each other through our Trade Union (GMB) what’s your Trade Union background and how has it informed your politics?
I joined the GMB in 2015 when I was stacking shelves at ASDA in Keighley. It was in that year that I also became the local workplace rep. After leaving ASDA, I remained in the GMB where I’ve spent the last 4 years as an Executive Officer with the GMB Young Members Network (YMN) developing local campaigns. It was with the GMB YMN and through the Regional TUC that I had the opportunity to shadow Norwegian comrades on their “Summer Patrol”. The Summer Patrol is a programme I worked with the Regional TUC and other union comrades to replicate in Yorkshire. The aim of the programme is to visit businesses unannounced to speak to young workers about their conditions and rights at work. The data collected is then used to highlight positive and negative working conditions that can be used by trade unions to organise and recruit members. (TUC SummerPatrol 2019). This is one of the campaigns I am most proud of.
I am also a GMB Accompanying Rep and have been since 2016, representing members across a variety of industries in disciplinary, grievance, redundancy and capability meetings.
My trade union background has made my politics more radical. Working closely with members across industries and speaking to young workers in precarious employment has withered away my patience for those who call for incremental change to working and living conditions. I think my trade unionism has kept me rooted to the realities of working life for many, reminding me that there is no room for compromise with human dignity or space for exploitation.
5. What are your thoughts on the relationship between Labour and the Trade Union movement in the future?
The relationship should be stronger and more interconnected. All too often it appears as if some in the Labour Party forget it was forged by the trade union movement to advance the interests of working people through political means. There are some who even seem embarrassed by the party’s relationship with the Trade Union movement because they haven’t learned, like the good people of Liverpool have, to stop reading the Sun. Conservative news outlets from time-to-time like to peg the Labour leadership as “in the pockets of the unions”, as if that was akin to suggesting we were backed by large multi-million pound corporations disconnected from the realities of working life. Trade Unions represent working people and to be the party that is funded and supported by working people should be a source of pride, not of some twisted shame.
6. What are your thoughts of Bevan and what relevance do you feel he may or may not have for the current Labour Party?
Aneurin Bevan is one of the most inspiring figures in British political history. His sheer determination in overcoming all the obstacles and opposition to the NHS is a testament to his force of personality and dogged resilience.
I feel strongly that Bevan and his ideas are very relevant in the current Labour Party. As the UK engages in post Brexit negotiations which could see the selling off our NHS we should all be reminded of the phrase attributed to Bevan: “The NHS will last as long as there’s folk with faith left to fight for it.” If we are to preserve our NHS we in the party must be prepared to fight tooth and nail with Bevan-like resilience and determination both at Westminster and across the country to save it. Bevan serves as an inspiration for the radical change that can be achieved and the radical change that needs to be achieved.
7. Which political figure* do you admire & why?
*(aside from Bevan – it’s like having the Complete Works of Shakespeare on Desert Island Discs…)
Jefferson Smith, from the 1939 film “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington”. This is a film I watch every year and reminds me of the profound impact that each of us can have in changing our society when we choose to stand up for what is decent and right, even against impossible odds. Jefferson Smith in seeking to expose the rotten political corruption of his state, holds fast on the Senate floor with a 23hr filibuster delivering some of the most memorable lines of my childhood political indoctrination.
8. What’s your favourite Bevan* quote?
*(we have a brand and stick to it…)
“No society can legitimately call itself civilised if a sick person is denied medical aid because of lack of means” - As a dual national with an American upbringing whose family continues to struggle with the costs of a private healthcare system I became very familiar with echoing these words.
9. What’s your favourite non-Bevan quote?
“If the person you are talking to doesn't appear to be listening, be patient. It may simply be that he has a small piece of fluff in his ear.” - Winnie the Pooh
10. If you could change one thing in the Labour Party rulebook what would it be?
I would remove the “Delegate” structure option for CLPs to adopt as a method of organisation. I believe that CLP “All Member Meeting” (AMM) structures represent the most inclusive and democratic method of grassroots organisation. As the Chair of Shipley CLP from 2016-2018 I remember conversations with members from other constituencies who would contact me to discuss how Shipley became an “AMM” CLP and how we had resolved the quorum issue with our regional office. I heard stories of CLPs that were/are inaccessible and disengaged and actively operating to maintain exclusivity against the changes in local membership. I also heard how some Regional Offices were unwilling to allow CLPs to change from a “Delegate” structure to an “AMM” structure citing “quorum concerns”. Let’s remove the “Delegate” structure option and ensure all CLPs are inclusive and democratic.
11. If you could contribute one policy to the next Labour Manifesto what would it be?
A commitment to ending First Past the Post and introducing proportional representation voting system.
12. What are your non-Labour Party interests*?
*(we are reliably informed that such things exist)
Steph (my partner) wanted me to say: "I have no interests outside the Labour Party." She said that would be both a half-true and amusing reply. In short, outside the party and the trade union movement I spend my time writing silly short stories, doodling, drinking good whisky, smoking hand rolled communist cigars, socialising with friends, travelling and playing RTS games.
From the outset it is important to note that I am (as previously mentioned) on good terms with Joe. However just because I am on good terms with an individual doesn’t necessarily mean that our politics will always align (when you’re a champion of Neo Bevanism you’re likely to be waiting for a long time before someone with identical views hoves into view).
Having said that there was much in Joe’s answers that struck a chord politically. Joe’s consistent commitment to ensuring inclusivity and democratic processes throughout Labour is a laudable goal. It was gladdening to see a firm and unambiguous commitment to the union movement and its continuing role within the Labour Party – such a commitment should be mandatory to those who espouse the values of Labour. Furthermore Joe has demonstrated an appreciation for the minutiae of the role and, as someone with experience of positions in both Labour and the union movement, that he has the ability to wade through the associated paperwork (and there will be a lot of paperwork). Joe’s knowledge of Bevan is admirable both in acknowledging the attributed nature of one of the quotes associated with Nye and also his recounting of one of the key passages of In Place of Fear and the power of those words and intention.
As such We Need To Talk About Bevan has no hesitation in endorsing Joe Wheatley for the Labour NEC. Full solidarity & support.
