British Labour urged to set up NI branches

British Labour Party chiefs were facing fresh pressure today to set up branches in Northern Ireland and to contest elections there.

Belfast trade unionist Andy McGivern was due to meet members of the party’s constitutional department in a bid to prevent him from having to go to court to force the party to set up constituency associations in Northern Ireland.

Last year British Labour ended its ban on people in Northern Ireland from becoming members as a result of pressure from Mr McGivern and his union, the GMB.

However, as he headed to London for today’s talks, the deputy shop steward warned that he could be forced into pursuing a fresh legal action against the party if people in Northern Ireland were not given the same membership rights as their counterparts in England, Scotland and Wales.

“I am meeting Peter Watt of the constitutional department to see how we can set up the full organisation of the Labour Party in Northern Ireland. That means having branches and constituency parties.

“As it sits, people in Northern Ireland can only become members but the membership card is meaningless if you cannot enjoy the full benefits.”

Mr McGivern said the Labour Party’s rules said that members should have full participation in all aspects of party life.

However with Northern Ireland having no constituency party, it was impossible for members from there to be elected to the national policy forum.

“I also firmly believe Northern Ireland needs the Labour Party to contend the election in the province, to provide a non-sectarian socialist alternative,” the trade unionist said.

“We are in a situation where we are probably 18 months away from a general election and from local government elections in Northern Ireland.

“There is enough time for the party to get itself organised and I feel that we could win seats particularly in local councils if we get ourselves organised and Northern Ireland gains full membership rights.

“If the party continues to resist the setting up of branches, then regrettably I may have to go back down a legal route to try and change their minds.

“It was regrettable that I had to do that to achieve a listing of the ban on people in Northern Ireland becoming Labour members and it is something I certainly do not want to have to do again.

“But there is no reason why it should have to come to that."