We consult all members in policy development because we recognise that we stay relevant as a political party through our connections to, and involvement in, our local communities. All members, local parties, affiliates as well as other party stakeholders have the right to a direct say in the party’s policy development. You can do this in a number of ways:

1.    Submit your ideas to the policy commissions
Policy Commissions meet throughout the year and consider submissions from across the Labour Party. Click here to find out more including details of how to get in touch.

2.    Organise/attend a local policy forum
Local policy forums are policy consultation meetings open to all members (and in some cases the wider community). In small discussion groups, the forums analyse a particular policy issue, understanding the nature and scale of the problem and looking at the possible solutions, dealing with conflicting priorities, and at the end, reaching a view to submit to the party’s policy-making process.

Local policy forums can be organised in a number of ways. In the past, some have been organised at branch level, others at constituency meetings which are open to all members, and some at special meetings of cluster constituencies.   Many local parties hold policy discussions as part of their monthly branch and/or constituency party meetings.


3. Use PiP to develop local manifestos
The development of the Big Conversation in 2003 showed that there is a significant appetite for an open and wide-ranging consultation, that seeks the views of local residents, voluntary groups and others who have expertise and/or experience of implementing local/national government policies.

Partnership in Power encourages local parties working with Local Government Committees to consult residents and community groups as they work to develop the manifesto for local elections. This is an important feature of the new PiP, as it allows us to link up our policy development work with the party’s campaigning priorities.

4.  Find out about, and keep in touch with, your local PiP co-ordinator, or join the Partnership in Power Coordinators Network yourself.

To support local parties and affiliates with the work they do organising policy discussions at party meetings and setting up consultation events with the wider community, we established the Partnership in Power Coordinators Network. Members of the network receive policy documents and updates and information on PiP.

The network is open to all members interested in the party’s policy development work, but our aim is to ensure that there is at least one PiP Coordinators Network member in every constituency across the country.

To join this new network, please email pip_coordinators@labour.org.uk with the following information:

- Your full name and postal address including post code
- Your local party unit (CLP/branch/trade union) and your position
 - Labour Party membership number
- Your contact details including e-mail address and telephone numbers (mobile/home/office).