Below are the rules for CLPs as amended with the changes carried at Annual Conference 2023. For further guidance please see the Rule change guidance document that accompanies this paper . For anything further please contact your Regional Office.  CLPs are not required to agree the changes a their next meeting as any amendments carried by Annual Conference are automatically incorporated into the rules of the CLP.

Chapter 7            

Clause I.   

Name

1. The [name of CLP] Constituency Labour Party, hereinafter named ‘this CLP’

Clause II.

Aims and values

1. National
   A. The aims and values of the Labour Party as outlined in Chapter 1 Clause IV above shall apply to this CLP.
2. Constituency
   A. To unite the forces of Labour within the constituency and to ensure the establishment of, and to keep in active operation an appropriate organisation and structure, which shall normally include branches, as approved by the NEC.
   B. To secure the return of Labour representatives to the Westminster Parliament, devolved institutions and local government bodies, by promoting the policies and principles of the Party throughout the constituency with a view to increasing the Party’s influence within the local community and securing support and membership from it.
   C. To promote the policies of the Party within the constituency by formulating a campaign development plan for the Party in the area and to ensure its adoption and implementation by all Party units.
   D. To provide the opportunity for all individual members of the Party within the constituency to contribute to the development of the aims and policies by ensuring that a full range of Party activities are available to them, including local policy forums, and that they may participate fully in discussion to broaden the political education of members of the Party and to increase their influence over the formulation of the Party programme.
   E. To establish local policy forums, possibly in co-operation with neighbouring CLPs, as authorised by and with the support of the appropriate RD (GS) operating to guidelines produced by the NEC. The constitution of the Party places an obligation on CLPs to work in pursuit of our aims with trade unions, co-operative societies and other affiliated organisations, and it must consult its members, elected representatives, affiliated organisations, and, where practicable, the wider community in which it is based on policy making initiatives which are to be forwarded for consideration as part of the national policy making process.

Clause III.

Affiliated organisations

1. Organisations may affiliate to the Party at constituency level if they fall within the following categories:
   A. trade unions or branches thereof affiliated to the Trades Union Congress or considered by the NEC to be bona fide trade unions affiliated to the Party nationally. Where provided by the structure of an affiliated organisation, sub-sections of branches, retired member sections/associations may affiliate separately at the discretion of the RD(GS) of the Party in agreement with the appropriate authority of the affiliated trade union
   B. co-operative societies, branches of the Cooperative Party and other co-operative organisations
   C. branches of those socialist societies affiliated to the Party nationally
   D. other organisations or branches thereof which in the opinion of the NEC are deemed eligible for affiliation.
2. Each affiliated organisation must: accept the programme, principles and policy of the Party; agree to conform to the constitution, rules and standing orders of the Party; have members who are registered as electors within the constituency.

Clause IV.

Affiliation fees

1. Affiliation fees and contributions payable to this CLP shall be:
   A. trade unions, branches of trade unions, retired member sections/associations of trade unions, branches of socialist societies and other organisations; 6p per annum per member resident or registered as an elector within the constituency, with a minimum payment of £6 per branch
   B. co-operative societies and other cooperative organisations on the basis agreed between this CLP and the respective co-operative organisation, though as a minimum on the same basis as other affiliated organisations
   C. the Co-operative Party in accordance with the agreement between the Labour Party and the Co-operative Union Limited currently in force
   D. all affiliation fees shall be paid not later than 31 December of the relevant year.

Clause V.

Individual membership

1. The conditions of membership for, method of enrolment of, and level of subscription payable by individual members of the Party within this constituency shall be as laid down in the membership rules of the Party in Chapter 2 .
2. The constitutional rights of individual members of the Party within this constituency shall operate only where they are registered as electors and reside or, exceptionally if they are not eligible to be registered to vote, in which they reside only.
3. Women members in this CLP shall, if they so desire, be organised into a Women’s Branch acting in accordance with Chapter 10.
4. Individual members of the Party between14 years and 26 years of age inclusive shall, if they so desire, be organised in branches of Young Labour acting in accordance with Chapter 11 (A)

Clause VI.

Method of organisation

1. General
   A. The CLP may adopt any method of organisation currently approved by the NEC.
   B. Methods of organisation include delegate structures or, as an alternative, structures based on ‘all member meetings’.
   C. In any structure there must be provision for a general meeting (GM) either of all members or delegates.
   D. In addition this CLP may propose new methods of organisation to the RD(GS). The General Meeting may seek approval from the NEC to pilot new methods of organisation to meet its objectives as part of an agreed campaign development plan that continues to meet this CLP’s constitutional obligations.
   E. Any method of organisation shall generally include branches on such basis as decided by the General Meeting and approved by the NEC. Branch boundaries shall as far as possible follow local government boundaries.
   F. A branch established in accordance with this rule shall consist only of those individual members of the Party within this CLP who reside and are registered as electors within the area covered by the branch or, exceptionally if they are not eligible to be registered to vote, in which they reside only.
   G. Branches shall operate in accordance with the rules for Party branches and any other regulations approved by the NEC. In particular, a branch shall maintain the necessary machinery for elections within its area. A branch may undertake other activities to promote the Party in its area and the involvement of its individual members in line with the campaign development plan agreed for this CLP. The public activities of a branch shall be approved by the Executive Committee of this CLP.
   H. Where the General Meeting considers it desirable there may be established a coordinating organisation covering more than one branch subject to the approval of the regional office.
2. There may be established workplace branches covering one or more CLPs, acting in accordance with rules sanctioned by the NEC.
3. There may be established a Women’s Branch to co-ordinate work among women members, acting in accordance with the rules for Women’s Branches and any other regulations approved by the NEC and on boundaries approved by the NEC.
4. There may be established a BAME Branch to co-ordinate work among BAME members, acting in accordance with the rules for BAME Branches and any other regulations approved by the NEC and on boundaries approved by the NEC.
5. Multiple constituency CLPs
   A. There may be established CLPs which cover multiple Westminster parliamentary constituencies, or Scottish parliamentary constituencies.
   B. The NEC will continue to recognise the component single constituency CLPs for the purposes for which this is appropriate; including but not limited to the allocation of conference delegates, the submission of motions and constitutional amendments to conferences and the selection of candidates. Only members who are registered as members within the appropriate electoral boundaries shall take part in any CLP business which involves such boundaries.
   C. Any change from single constituency CLPs to multiple constituency CLP or vice versa must be agreed by the NEC in advance of any resolution being tabled. NEC approval will only be given when it is satisfied sufficient consultation has been undertaken with affected Party branches and affiliates.
   D. Where two or more single constituency CLPs wish to merge, a resolution must be carried at each individual General Meeting by a simple majority.
   E. An existing multiple constituency CLP shall divide into component constituencies should a resolution be carried by a simple majority at a General Meeting.
   F. Where a multiple constituency CLP is to divide into single constituency CLPs, its assets shall be divided in proportion with the membership of its successor CLPs at a date to be defined by the NEC.
   G. Once a reorganisation has been agreed, no further changes shall be approved for a period of 12 months.
   H. Any dispute arising as to the margining or division of CLPs shall be referred to the NEC, whose decision shall be final.
6. CLP Executive Committees shall provide a written record of decisions to the CLP General Meeting for approval. Standing orders for CLPs shall be published on an electronic platform provided by the Party.
7. There may be established other such forums among common interests groups acting in accordance with the rules for these forums and any other regulations approved by the NEC and on boundaries approved by the NEC.
8. There shall be established a Campaign Committee to co-ordinate the public activity of this CLP.
   A. The Campaign Committee, which comprise campaign organisers and other members as appropriate. The chair, vice-chair campaigns and membership and treasurer of this CLP and the Member of Parliament and/ or the parliamentary candidate and the parliamentary agent, shall be ex-officio members of the Campaign Committee.
   B. The vice-chair campaigns and membership shall: co-ordinate constituency-wide campaigns; liaise with Head Office and either Scottish Labour, Welsh Labour or their English regional office and with affiliated organisations, as the case may be, in the promotion of the Party’s campaigns; and liaise with other election agents as appropriate over the election campaign strategy for elections and referenda taking place wholly or partly within the area of this CLP.
   C. Where the vice-chair campaigns and membership is not the election agent, the Campaign Committee shall ensure that an election agent is appointed to be responsible for all local elections within the area of this CLP. Agents shall liaise with other agents within the local authority area in order to ensure a unified and co-ordinated campaign. For national elections, the committee should seek to appoint an election agent at the earliest opportunity in consultation with the prospective candidate and appropriate RD(GS) and this appointment shall be subject to the approval of the NEC. Any member not otherwise disbarred from being an election agent may be considered for appointment.

Clause VII.

Management

1. The management of this CLP shall be in the hands of the General Meeting. The decisions of the General Meeting shall be put into effect by an Executive Committee which shall be appointed by and report to an Annual General Meeting of this CLP and to other such meetings as required by the CLP rules and procedures.
2. This CLP adopts the rules and procedures for CLPs and branches set out in the appendix to these rules and such amendments thereto as may be agreed by Party conference or made by the NEC in accordance with the powers conferred upon it under Chapter 1 Clause X of the constitutional rules. This CLP shall have power to make changes to these rules, subject to the specific prior approval in writing of the NEC, Scottish or Welsh Executive Committees and providing that such changes do not contravene the spirit and intention of the rules as adopted by Party conference or alter the Party objects, basis or conditions of affiliated and individual membership, or vary the procedure for the selection of parliamentary candidates (other than as provided for in the rules) or effect a change in the relationship of this CLP with the national Party.
3. The General Meeting shall, but only with the specific prior approval in writing of the NEC, have the power to enter into property-related transactions on behalf of the CLP. Such power may also be exercised by the Executive Committee, or by officers of the General Meeting, if so authorised by the General Meeting.
   A. NEC approval will be conditional in all cases upon legal title to the property being vested in Labour Party Nominees Limited as Trustee for the relevant Constituency Labour Party or in such other Trustee for the relevant Constituency Labour Party as the NEC may appoint.
   B. The General Meeting and the Executive Committee shall procure that all legal title to property leasehold and freehold presently held for this CLP shall forthwith be transferred to Labour Party Nominees Limited to be held by it as Trustee for the relevant Constituency Labour Party upon the standard terms of Trust from time to time approved by the NEC.
   C. Every CLP and BLP of the Party and as a pre-condition to continued membership thereto shall with effect from forthwith do and execute such acts and deeds to transfer the beneficial ownership of their respective freehold and leasehold properties legal title to which is presently held either by individuals or by Labour Party Nominees Limited to and for the benefit of The Labour Party subject only to the CLPs’ and BLPs’ existing rights of occupation thereof and to their continued receipt of all rents and profits there from and the right to license and to lease the said properties from time to time subject to the prior written consent of The NEC but subject to the CLPs’ and BLPs’ continuing respective obligations in respect of any borrowings secured on such properties. (Note- For clarity this rule is repeated in rules for branches)
4. The General Meeting shall, but only with the specific prior approval in writing of the NEC and on such terms and conditions as shall be approved by the NEC, have the power to employ staff on behalf of the CLP. Such power may also be exercised by the Executive Committee or by officers of the General Meeting if so authorised by the General Meeting. In all such circumstances, the primary responsibility for meeting financial and other obligations in respect of such employees shall be borne by this CLP.

Clause VIII.

Officers

1. The officers of this CLP, the Executive Committee, and two auditors shall be elected at the annual general meeting of this CLP and shall continue in office until replaced or re-appointed.
2. The Executive Officers of this CLP shall be: chair, vice-chair campaigns and membership, secretary, treasurer, women’s officer, and trade union liaison officer. At least three of the six officers listed above must be women. In the event that none of the six officers listed above identify as BAME, the BAME officer shall also be an Executive Officer until the next annual general meeting of this CLP. This CLP may add other Executive Officer posts drawn from amongst its functional officers, subject to the gender quota being amended appropriately. The appointment of any additional officers to the first six officers listed above is subject to NEC approval.
3. The trade union liaison officer shall be a member of a trade union affiliated to the Labour Party and elected in accordance with this provision. Where the General Meeting has trade union delegates, the trade union liaison officer shall be elected by a ballot of trade union delegates only. In all other circumstances, the trade union liaison officer shall be elected by a ballot of all delegates or all members, where the CLP operates on an all member meeting basis.
4. Where a CLP has an equalities branch set up, the Secretary of the branch shall, in the case of the Women’s branch replace the Women’s Officer, and in the case of BAME, disabled members, LGBT+ and youth, have the rights of a functional officer as detailed below. In instances where the equalities branch crosses CLP boundaries, the relevant branch will elect a representative from amongst branch members residing in that CLP. Where an equalities branch has not been set up the CLP may elect a relevant functional officer as detailed below..
5. The Chair shall also be the deputy treasurer to be notified to the Electoral Commission. In exceptional circumstances, and with the prior approval of the General Secretary, a different person may be appointed.
6. In addition, this CLP may elect functional officers to lead on specific areas of responsibility including policy, political education and training, and communications and social media. These functional officers shall be encouraged to attend Executive Committee Meetings to report on their work and share expertise with colleagues but shall not be voting members unless elected to the Executive Committee as individuals. At least half of all functional officers must be women.
7. The team of officers and coordinators, together with the parliamentary candidate and/or Member of Parliament and the campaign coordinator, shall provide a strategic lead for the development of the Party in the constituency.
8. The Executive Committee shall consist of the Executive Officers, branch secretaries or other representatives elected by each branch and { } members upon such proportionate basis of the whole membership as this CLP may decide, subject to the approval of the NEC.
9. The parliamentary election agent may also attend Executive Committee meetings.
10. Where a campaign development plan has been entered into by this CLP and an organisation affiliated to the Party nationally and approved by the NEC, the affiliated organisation concerned may appoint a member of this CLP to the Executive Committee to represent their interest: this member shall be an ex-officio member with voting powers of both executive and General Meetings.
11. The Executive Committee shall meet as required and be responsible for reviewing the implementation of the campaign development plan and supervising the work of the branches and other Party units in the constituency. The Executive Committee shall also deal with as much of the routine business of this CLP as possible to ensure that the General Meeting can devote its time to the discussion of policy and Party objectives for the constituency.
12. The treasurer shall be responsible for ensuring this CLP meets its legal and financial responsibilities under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 in respect of donation reporting, the filing of accounts and, if applicable, the auditing of accounts, and shall be the registered treasurer of the accounting unit, as notified by Party Head Office to the Electoral Commission.
13. This CLP Secretary shall notify Party Head Office immediately in the event of the resignation or replacement of the treasurer or the deputy treasurer, so that the Party can meet its statutory responsibility to inform the Electoral Commission of any such changes.
14. It shall be a requirement of their office that the treasurer and the parliamentary election agent undertake such training as deemed desirable by the NEC.

Clause IX.

The General Meeting

1. Annual Meetings
   A. The annual meeting of this CLP shall be held in [month] of each year or, in the event of such meeting not being held in that month for any reason, as soon thereafter as possible. The annual meeting should not normally be held before May in any year.
   B. Affiliation fees due to this CLP for the previous year ended 31 December must have been paid to this CLP a clear 35 days before the date of the annual meeting.
   C. New affiliations accepted at least 60 days prior to the AGM in the current year shall have all rights associated with attendance at the AGM.
   D. Twenty eight days’ notice of an annual meeting shall be given to all eligible affiliated organisations and Party units.
   E. Seven days’ notice of an annual meeting shall be given to voting members entitled to attend.
2. Special Meetings
   A. Special General Meetings may be called at the discretion of the Executive Committee and shall be called on the written request of at least one third of the affiliated organisations and Party units which are or would be entitled to send delegates to this CLP under a delegate structure.
   B. Seven days’ notice of a special meeting shall be given to voting members entitled to attend except in cases of emergency, when only business of immediate importance shall be transacted.
3. Ordinary General Meetings shall be held at such intervals as laid down in the standing orders of this CLP or as may be determined by resolution of the General Meeting, subject to a requirement that all members of the CLP must be given the opportunity to attend at least 8 meetings per year, including at least 2 policy meetings.
4. Seven days’ notice of General Meetings shall be given to voting members entitled to attend.
5. A notice calling an annual, special or ordinary General Meeting shall state as far as possible the business to be transacted.
6. Any notice required to be given under these rules shall be in writing which may include electronic communication. Notices to be sent to affiliated organisations and Party units shall be addressed to the secretary thereof.
7. Finance
   A. Following each annual meeting of this CLP the secretary shall forward to the General Secretary a copy of this CLP’s constituency annual report, including the annual statement of accounts and such other information as may be requested by the NEC in the format required and in compliance with this CLP’s legal and financial responsibilities under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000.
   B. Where required by PPERA 2000, the annual statement of accounts must be presented to and approved by a general meeting in the first quarter of the year following the year in question. The annual statement of accounts must be forwarded to the Electoral Commission by 30 April of the year following the year in question.

Clause X.

The Party Conference

1. Subject to the conditions laid down in the rules of Party conference and the constitutional rules of the Party, this CLP may appoint to any Party conference convened under Clause VI of the constitutional rules of the Party, one delegate for the first 749 eligible members, or part thereof, and a further delegate for each additional 250 eligible members, or part thereof. Eligible members shall be defined as those listed by the Party as members of this CLP at 31 December in the previous year.
2. When appointing their delegate(s) this CLP shall seek to increase the representation of women at conference, by ensuring that at least every second delegate shall be a woman; where only one delegate is appointed this must be a woman at least in every other year.
3. Where the individual women’s membership within this CLP is 100 or more, an additional woman delegate may be appointed.
4. Where the individual Young Labour membership within this CLP is 30 or more, an additional delegate under the age of 27 may be appointed.
5. This CLP may appoint a delegate in addition to its above entitlement if one of its duly appointed delegates is the national treasurer, a member of the NEC, member of the Conference Arrangements Committee, or a member of the NCC due for re-election that year.

Clause XI.

Duties of the General Meeting

1. The general provisions of the constitution, rules and standing orders of the Party shall apply to this CLP and the General Meeting has a duty to act within and uphold such provisions.
2. The General Meeting shall be responsible for establishing objectives for this CLP in the constituency through political debate and policy discussion, setting targets for development of CLP organisation and campaigning in the area and promoting links with the wider community.
3. In particular this CLP is required to submit in the fourth quarter of each year a campaign development plan in a format approved by the NEC for the constituency for the coming year. The plan shall be submitted to the appropriate regional office (or Scottish or Welsh national office).
4. It shall be the duty of the General Meeting of this CLP to ensure that at least 50 per cent of their delegates to other Party bodies (where delegate entitlement is more than one) shall be women.
5. This CLP and units of this CLP shall not enter into affiliation with or give support, financially or otherwise, to any political party or organisation (or ancillary or subsidiary body thereto) without the prior permission of the NEC. Nor shall they give any such support to individuals ineligible for membership of the Party.
6. This CLP shall co-operate with the NEC of the Party in conducting a ballot of all eligible individual members for the selection of parliamentary candidates, the election of the leader and deputy leader of the Party, the national treasurer and auditors, and the appropriate sections of the NEC, and NCC. Such ballots to be conducted in accordance with guidelines laid down by the NEC and subject to the provisions of Chapter 4.
7. In the event of this CLP being dissolved or ceasing to exist for any reason, its assets (after payment of outstanding liabilities) shall be transferred to the NEC of the Party.
8. This CLP shall co-operate fully with the NEC in respect of its legal and financial obligations under the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000. Should this CLP fail to co-operate with the Party with regard to its obligations under the Act, the NEC will not hesitate to take appropriate disciplinary action against individual members and/or suspend this CLP.

Clause XII.

Disciplinary

1. It shall be the duty of the General Meeting of this CLP to take all necessary steps to enforce the constitution, standing orders and rules of the Party within this constituency and to safeguard the programme, policy and principles of the Party within its constituency. Pursuant to those duties, a CLP shall take action, where necessary, in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 6, Clause II.

Clause XIII.

Parliamentary candidates

1. The Party’s parliamentary candidate for this constituency shall be selected in accordance with the rules for selection of parliamentary candidates laid down in Chapter 5 and in the selection guidelines appended thereto, along with any other regulations approved by the NEC.

Clause XIV.

Local government candidates

1. Local government candidates shall be selected in accordance with the rules for selection of local government candidates laid down in Chapter 5 and in the selection guidelines appended thereto along with any other regulations approved by the NEC.

Clause XV.

Amendment to rules

1. These rules, or any part thereof, may be amended, altered or additions made thereto by resolution carried at an Annual General Meeting or special meeting by a vote of two thirds of delegates present, subject to the approval of the NEC under Clause VII.2 above. The provisions of the model procedural rules for Party meetings shall apply to this CLP with such local additions and modifications as may be approved by the RD(GS) of the Party on behalf of the NEC.