NEC Annual Report 2008 [antikvár]

Introduction by Ray Collins I am delighted to introduce myself as the new General Secretary of the Labour Party, As a party member for over 30 years, it was an honour to have been appointed to this post by the NEC. I know, as you do, that we as a party have much to be proud about. Labour has a record of 11 years of progressive politics and of delivering policies that have helped change Britain for the better, I want to thank the NEC, the Labour Party staff and our members for their support and continuing commitment to our movement. It has, of course, been a difficult year for the Labour Party. I want to begin by expressing my appreciation to Peter Watt, my predecessor, and Chris Lennie, the Acting General Secretary, for their contribution in maintaining and improving the organisational capability of the party. In February for the first time, Labour held its Spring Conference in Birmingham. The weekend comprised the Local Government and Women's Conferences, with a BAME forum organised on the Saturday, Europe was successfully mainstreamed throughout the weekend, reflecting the impact Europe has on our daily lives. The programme of events allowed delegates to share best practice, to network, to take part in policy discussions and, crucially, to help set the groundwork for the preparations for the European Elections 2009. The local elections in May were difficult for our party but not unexpected in the mid-term of government. We lost some fantastic councillors and I know you will join me in thanking them, councillors past and present, for their service to our party and to the communities we live in. What we can take heart from is the amazing campaign our activists fought. Because of your hard work in the run up to the May elections we were able to gain control of the council in Slough, and we made gains in councils such as Ipswich and Oxford, In Liverpool thanks to the work of the Labour group we are now on the verge of depriving the Liberal Democrats of their flagship council. And even in London we increased our vote in the mayoral election and gained an additional seat on the Assembly.