Below are example motions that you can take to your branch or CLP.

Labour Movement for Europe:

Motion on the government's failing approach to Brexit

< name > Constituency Labour Party (CLP) notes that the government’s various Brexit papers, show that the Tory Brexit threatens Britain’s economy, security, environment and citizens' rights. 

The CLP considers it essential to avoid creating barriers to our main export market and subsequent job losses and reductions in tax revenue and investment.

The CLP believes that the UK must avoid exclusion from essential European agencies such as the Medicines Agency and EURATOM, and is concerned that EU funding for research and for the regions will not be replaced.

The CLP believes that immigration concerns can be addressed by using the pre-existing safeguards, notes that most migration to Britain is non-EU and is fully under UK regulatory control, and reaffirms that measures such as reinstating the Migrant Impact Fund, protection from undercutting of wages and increased education and training opportunities would also address concerns.

The CLP insists that EU citizens’ rights in the UK, and vice-versa, should be protected and legally enforceable.

The CLP believes that, if the government fails to secure its promise of ‘exactly the same’ benefits and access for the UK as currently available, it should be consistently challenged.

The CLP believes that any Brexit requires a period of transition, possibly including temporary EEA or EFTA participation, or even permanent membership of either if the opportunity arose.

The CLP believes that, in the economic, social, political and international interests of Britain, Labour must oppose any Brexit deal that fails to meet these concerns and fulfil these objectives.

2018 Labour Party Conference Resolution

This CLP

- supports the earliest election of a Labour Government led by Jeremy Corbyn
- Notes that for a general election to be called requires a two thirds majority of MPs (due to the Fixed Term Parliament Act) and that the Conservatives can’t be expected to call an election they expect to lose
- That such an election is only likely if the EU Exit Deal is both voted down in Parliament and in a Public Vote on the deal so that the UK remains in the EU
- Acknowledges that leaving the EU, and therefore any Exit deal the Government negotiates, will reduce national income, increase austerity and remove EU minimum guarantees of rights at work, public health and environmental protection.
- Agrees that should Labour should vote against the EU Deal if it does not satisfy the Labour Party’s six tests.
- Supports the 2016 Conference commitment to a public vote on the Exit Deal so the people shall have the final decision on whether to accept the Conservatives’ Deal or to stay in the EU.
- Calls upon the 2018 Labour Party Conference to
- 1. reaffirm its policy of opposing any deal that does not satisfy Labour’s 6 tests
- 2. reaffirm 2016 Labour Conference support for a public vote on the deal
- 3. campaign against the deal and to remain in the EU in the run up to the public vote
- 4. following a public vote in favour of rejecting the deal and remaining in the EU to call for an immediate general election.

This Constituency Labour Party:

Notes that Brexit looks increasingly unlikely to match the promises made by the Leave campaign and by Tory Brexit ministers.

Welcomes the position of Jeremy Corbyn and the Labour Frontbench that Labour will oppose a costly, damaging, Tory Brexit Withdrawal Agreement that does not meet Labour’s red lines or which creates a hard border in Ireland.

Aware that a failure by the government to secure approval of its Brexit deal will create a ratification crisis that has a number of potential outcomes, including, possibly, an early general election.

Insists that rejection of the Withdrawal Agreement cannot mean a “No-deal Brexit”, which would cause a catastrophic legal limbo and maximum damage to the UK economy.

Recognises that there may not be much scope at that point for negotiating a different agreement and the choice facing the country will be between a bad Brexit or no Brexit; considers that such a choice will require either a general election or a referendum.

Believes that, in a democracy, the public has a right to reconsider an issue, in particular in a new situation or if new facts become available, as is the case.

Notes that public opinion has not rallied behind the result of the referendum held two years ago.

Resolves that the Chair of this CLP submits a copy of this motion to the chair of the national Policy Forum, to the NEC and to the Leader of the Labour Party. [or to Labour Party Conference]

Remain-Labour & Labour4EU CLP Motion

Standing Against Brexit, Standing Up for a People’s Vote

(Name) CLP notes
• The UK will leave the European Union on March 29th 2019 if a majority of MPs vote for the EU Withdrawal And Implementation (WAI) Bill
• The Labour Party campaigned for Remain in the 2016 referendum and has a long history of supporting full membership of the EU
(Name) CLP believes
• If the UK leaves the European Union, our country will be permanently poorer, have diminished influence in the world and the greatest burden will fall on the poorest and youngest in society
• Any form of Brexit will damage the NHS; the Nuffield Trust projects the economic impact will translate into an annual £2.4bn shortfall in funding
• There is clear evidence that a majority of Labour Party voters and members are opposed to Brexit
o A recent poll from Labour Future found that 81% of Labour voters support a referendum on the final terms of Brexit
• The strong 2017 general election result achieved under the leadership of Jeremy Corbyn means the votes of Labour MPs will have a significant influence on the WAI Bill
• The terms of Brexit were not clear in the 2016 referendum, but it is now clear that no form of Brexit can meet Labour’s six tests
(Name) CLP resolves
• The Labour Party should give the British people the opportunity to have the final say, by:
o Voting against the WAI Bill, AND
o Supporting a referendum on the final terms of the exit deal, with an option to remain full members of the European Union
• Our delegates to Party Conference in 2018 will vote in favour of any motion that aligns with this resolution

LabourSay.EU

This CLP/branch notes that:

On 23rd June 2016, the UK voted in a referendum to leave the European Union.

The referendum result was very close, with 51.9% of votes cast for Leave and 48.1% of votes cast for Remain.

Neither the Leave campaign nor the ballot paper specified what ‘type’ of Brexit would be pursued if Leave were to win – membership of European single market and the customs union was not on the ballot paper.

At Labour party conference 2016, it was resolved that ‘Unless the final settlement proves to be acceptable, then the option of retaining EU membership should be retained. The final settlement should therefore be subject to approval, through Parliament and potentially through a general election or referendum.’ Party members have not had a say since Article 50 was triggered.

This CLP/branch believes that:

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Labour members should have a say on Labour party policy, especially on such a contentious and important issue as Brexit.

The most democratic way for members to do this is to have a meaningful vote at Labour party conference.

This CLP/branch resolves:

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To call on the Labour leadership to give members a meaningful vote on Brexit policy at Labour party conference 2018.

For this CLP to support a contemporary resolution on the issue ahead of the September 2018 deadline.

Labour Campaign for the Single Market:

This Constituency Labour Party:

Notes the August publication of the Government’s position papers on a range of EU withdrawal matters including future UK-EU customs arrangements;

And believes that these recent papers reveal that the current approach risks job losses, and loss of rights for workers;

Further, notes the Treasury estimate that moving from the “soft” Brexit of the European Economic Area (EEA) (which could see tax revenue fall by £20bn) to the “hard” Brexit of a Canadian-type deal is estimated to cost an additional £16 billion each year, and that if the UK defaults to WTO trade rules, then the annual tax loss may be as high as £45 billion (four times the annual public expenditure on English GPs);

And believes that Labour must urgently campaign against austerity that has harmed our public services;

And therefore calls upon the Labour Party to adopt a policy of remaining in the European Customs Union and Single Market through membership of the EEA.