THE British Labour party seems set to relax its ban on organising in Northern Ireland, but will stop short of contesting elections, writes Liam Clarke.

As a first step, Northern Ireland members of the party will for the first time be allowed to form branches. This will entitle them to send delegates to the party’s annual conference, to vote in internal elections and stand for the national executive.

Andy McGivern, a local trade unionist and member of the party, said: “Discussions with the Labour party about organising in Northern Ireland have made significant progress. I hope we would be in a position to make a positive announcement next month. I have not asked in the negotiations to be allowed to contest elections.”

If the change happens, it would be the result of years of pressure by McGivern and other local campaigners.

They are supported by a number of Labour MPs including Belfast-born Kate Hoey.

Traditionally the Labour party did not allow people in Northern Ireland to join, saying their supporters should vote SDLP, a fellow member of the Socialist International. The embargo was lifted at the 2003 party conference after McGivern initiated proceedings under race-discrimination legislation.

The Labour party was advised that his action was likely to succeed and allowed members to join as individuals but not to form branches.

McGivern, who works at Shorts missile and aircraft factory, said: “It is as if I joined a golf club and it said to me, ‘you are joining, we will take your membership fees, but you are not allowed to use the bar, you can’t play golf and you can’t come to the AGM because of your ethnic origin’. That is what the party is doing.”

He started a second action at Central London county court demanding the right to form branches and participate in internal decision making. That case has been on hold for the past eight months while McGivern and his supporters try to negotiate a settlement with the party. “I am asking for equal membership with the rest of the UK,” he said.

If there is a significant uptake in membership he can be expected to ask for permission to contest elections.

Since October 2004, the Irish Labour party has allowed northerners to join the Northern Ireland Labour Forum, which can participate in party affairs but cannot contest elections. The forum allows members of the British Labour party to join, though McGivern is not a member.

Some of its members have stood in elections describing themselves as Labour without saying which party they are affiliated to.

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