Conference Details and Deadlines

Respect National Conference - Saturday 25 October 2008

The conference will take place on Saturday 25 October 2008 at the Bishopsgate Institute in London, opposite Liverpool Street Station in London.

This will be an opportunity for all Respect members to decide on policies and plans for the next year. Central to the discussions will be preparation for the general election campaigns, likely to be in 2010, especially in Birmingham and east London.

A year has passed since Respect split and conference will also be an opportunity to take stock and move forward. The Respect Renewal conference last November was a very good event and we aim for this year's conference to be even better.

The main theme of the conference will be the current economic crisis and its effect on working-class communities and how we can develop policies and actions to defend those communities. There will be reports from Respect's other councillors in Birmingham, Tower Hamlets and Newham. Respect members from all over the country will be able to exchange ideas and experiences.

The conference will be open to all members of Respect Renewal and visitors. Only members of Respect Renewal who are fully paid up on 25 October will be allowed to vote.

Membership until the end of 2008 is now available for £5. The conference fee will be £10 per person.

Resolutions must be submitted by 11 October 2008; they can be on any subject.Respect branches can submit up to three resolutions. Any six members can submit a resolution. Anyone wanting to submit a resolution and seek support from five others can ask for it to be posted on the Respect website.Amendments to resolutions must be submitted by 22 October 2008.

There is a Standing Orders Committee which will organise conference business and prioritise resolutions.

The conference will elect a new National Council but the size and method of election will be discussed determined by conference itself. The National Council has remitted proposals on this to the national co-ordinating committee to present to conference and various options are still being considered.