Policy responses

CSM regularly responds to invitations to participate in the Labour Party’s consultation process.

CSM also sits on Labour’s Socialist Societies Executive which has a representative on the Party’s National Executive Committee. In addition, the Executive has three representatives on the National Policy Forum which co-ordinates the work of the Party’s policy commissions and influences the Party’s General Election manifesto.

CSM also issues policy statements in response to current issues such as Sunday Trading and the Incitement to Religious Hatred Bill. We have also defined policy positions on issues such as House of Lords Reform and Globalisation. These papers were written by individual members and agreed by our Officer group. Our pamphlets and magazine are further vehicles for looking at topical issues in greater depth, often incorporating different voices from within and without the Movement.

CSM members are often active within other coalitions or groups with shared policy goals. Currently these include the Trade Justice Movement; Just Share and the Tobin Tax Campaign.

CSM Branches also help define policy and help to focus CSM resources in particular ways. This can be done through resolutions to Executive Meetings or the AGM. The constitution defines the process of submissions but in the first instance these should be discussed with the national and regional CSM reps. All resolutions should be well researched and included recommendations on proposed action.

At the CSM AGM in 2002 a resolution from our Oxford Branch on the regulation of Arms Sales and the strengthening of the United Nations was passed. At the AGM in 2003 a resolution from our Sheffield Branch on simplifying procedures for awarding grants to voluntary organisations was passed.