This years National Women’s Conference was held in Liverpool on the 21st September 2024.
This was to be a joyous event for us delegates attending the Women’s Conference. Joyous
because, after 14 years of Tory control and austerity, we were a Labour Party in Government.
And at many times throughout the day we were reminded of this.
But in reality for many of us delegates it wasn’t to be.
It was however uplifting to see so many women from across the Labour movement assembled
in one place. Women representing CLPs uniting with delegates from the Trade Unions and
affiliates such as the Social Societies.
But several delegates hadn’t received their accreditation passes therefore had to queue up at
the Conference office for a replacement pass to be issued.
Security was tight, really tight with airport style bag and body scanners whilst heavily armed
police officers patrolled everywhere, some with “sniffer” dogs.
The location of our conference wasn’t clearly signposted. Time on arrival was taken up trying to
find it’s location. Which wasn’t in the main Liverpool ACC arena but the smaller M & S venue
next door. Down in the basement. In an area shrouded off with black curtains, dimly lit with no
natural light. Delegates mentioned how claustrophobic it made them feel.
Conference began with keynote speakers. The Chancellor Rachel Reeves popped in to
welcome us. Followed by Bridget Phillipson, the minister for Women and Equalities. Who spoke
saying “The strength of our movement is built by the women of our movement. Labour will seize
the opportunity to unite our country by making it fairer for all”
Then came a panel discussion chaired by Tracy Brabin, former MP and now the Metro Mayor
for West Yorkshire. She was joined by Claire Ward, East Midlands Metro Mayor and Nicole
Ndiweni-Roberts, Police Crime Commissioner for Derbyshire.
The topic was Regional Leadership. Or how women can rightfully take their place as equals
alongside men in these high-power positions. Each spoke of their personal experiences and
their journeys along the way to attaining office. The obstacles and barriers experienced during
that journey. The positives moving forward – we need to find allies and get people on side
campaigning for us. Confidence building. Become involved with fundraising.
And if a door is open be prepared to take the steps to go through it. Most of all, don’t be afraid to
ask for help.
After a short intermission to “use the facilities” and grab a much needed coffee conference
moved on to the policy debates, the motions.
This year saw the return of contemporary motions. Meaning the subject of a motion had to have
arisen during a specific time period. This being since the day Labour took office, the 5th of July,
following the General Election. Any issues raised had to have occurred after that date, with the
cut of date for submissions being the 21st August.
Six motions were tabled. Three from CLPs and three from the Unions & Affiliates. These were
the composites taken of the six which made it through the priorities ballot. Out of 18 possible
subjects.
Education and Girls
Women’s Health
Women as Working Parents and Carers
Violence Against Women and Girls
Women in the Workplace
Women in the Economy
There were also two Emergency motions. The subject matter and issues having occurred after
the cut-off date for ordinary contemporary motions.
All these motions were crammed into a time slot of just two hours. There was barely 20 minutes
to move, second and hear delegates speak from the floor, either in favour or against said
motion. Even less in fact if you take into account the time to speak to the emergency motions.
Also given the titles of these composites there wasn’t anything contentious in them. That is they
didn’t go against the grain of the policies already announced by the new Labour Government.
Each motion passed (by show of hands) easily.
NB Women’s Health
Submitted by Cities of London & Westminster, Norwich South and Worcester CLPs.
This motion welcomed the commitment set out in the King’s Speech on the 17th July 2024 to an
Employment Rights Bill.
Strengthening workplace protections for working mothers.
With a Menopause Action Plan for those employees who are experiencing the menopause (eg
adequate sick leave, flexible hours )
Highlighting the health inequalities which women with protected characteristics experience.
Black women are four times as likely to die in pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period
than White women. Asian women are nearly twice as likely to die.
One speaker spoke of how demoralised the staff working in maternity care had become. They
are short staffed because so many have left the profession. How difficult it is keeping.morale up
of those who remain in order to remain.
Maternity pay in comparison is lower than in other areas of NHS care. Statutory sick pay is low
and not of sufficient length. Meaning staff are forced to return to work before they are fully fit
thus exposing them to increasing health risks, both physically and mentally. Burn out.
The motion called on Labour to ensure women and girls have access to high quality physical
and mental health care.
That the Government sets a clear target to end the Black maternal health gap.
To train the next generation of health visitors and midwives to ensure that mothers have the
necessary support they need to keep themselves and their babies healthy.
And to deliver 40,000 additional NHS procedures every week. To double the number of
scanners the NHS has to improve access to healthcare.
Emergency motion 1 – Rest in Power Rebecca Cheptagi
Submitted by the FBU (Fire Brigade Union)
Many of us were shocked and very moved when the news broke of the death of Olympic athlete
Rebecca Cheptagi. Who was set alight by her former abusive boyfriend and tragically died of
her horrendous injuries. The motion highlighted that “burn injuries are a global issue that
disproportionately affects women and girls”
Therefore “Conference demands that a Labour Government act on Labour’s commitment to
create a world of work free from violence”
“Conference sends our heartfelt condolences and solidarity to Rebecca’s family and friends”
Emergency motion 2 – Women and Girls in Afghanistan
Submitted by Lewisham North CLP
Calling for support for the fundamental human rights of women and girls in Afghanistan. And
called for the Government to condemn the actions of the Taliban and publish support of the
statement of the UN’s Women’s Organisation who have denounced their actions which
dispossess Afghan women and girls of their fundamental human rights.
Both these motions passed unanimously.
Conference then concluded at 1.35pm. There were three workshops to choose from for those
delegates who wished to participate further.
Result of the ballot for two motions to go forward to National Conference;
Women’s Health and Women in the Workplace.
All in all the Women’s Conference was a bit of a let down. Crammed into just a few hours of a
single day. The Labour Party is supposed to be the party of equality and equal opportunities. Us
women weren’t even given a pleasant environment to have our day in court so to speak. Being
confined to the basement and a dimly lit black shrouded area.
It was a very top down approach. For instance the panel discussion led by Tracey Brabin could
just as easily have been held as an optional workshop, thus women having the choice to attend
or not. Itself given a longer time slot for more participation & questions from the audience.
It’s quite frankly an insult to our integrity cramming all 6 motions plus emergency motions into a
2 hour slot. No time to properly debate important topics. Then the motions themselves. Four
CLPs submitted motions on the 2 child benefit cap but did not get through. Also blocked were
any motion which made reference to the Winter Fuel Allowance.
We need to keep campaigning for the return of a stand-alone two day conference for us women.
Where more policies and motions can be thoroughly discussed, then perhaps these other two
issues could’ve been heard.
Surely then Labour the voices of us ordinary women members are worth more than just two
hours!