Proposing a motion is simple, but it may be in other local Parties depending on their structures. The process in Leeds East Labour is:

• send the motion to the Branch / CLP Secretary and ask for it to be tabled at the next meeting – there will probably be a cut-off date for sending in motions (usually about a week before the meeting), and if you miss this it will have to wait until the following meeting;
• attend the meeting, speak in favour of the motion (you could ask the Secretary to let you know how long you will be able to speak for);
• other people may also speak on the motion, in favour of it or against it;
• a vote will be held, and the result announced.

A week or two ahead of the branch meeting, send the motion to your branch Secretary and ask them to table it to be debated and voted on, and proposed to the General Meeting if passed.

On the day, anyone who is a member of the local Party branch will be entitled to attend and vote.

Once it has been passed by your branch, your Branch Secretary should send it to the CLP Secretary and ask for it to be tabled at the CLP’s General Meeting.

If you’re a delegate from the branch, you will probably be able to propose it at the General Meeting. If not, one of your branch delegates will speak in favour of it.

Top tips for proposing the motion

Read the motion carefully and familiarise yourself with it.

You might want to tweak the text before you submit it to reflect your views and the local situation. You’ll also need to delete either Branch or CLP throughout the motion, as appropriate.

Ask the Secretary how long you’ll have to speak on the motion, and what the structure is for speeches for and against.

Plan what you want to say in advance, and run it past a supportive colleague.

Add personal anecdotes and examples of our shared victories to make your speech more powerful.

Speak to union and Party colleagues who you think will be supportive of the motion in advance – remind them to attend the meeting to vote for the motion, and ask them to speak in favour of it in the debate.