Blogging the AGM 2008 #7 (Working parties)
11:25am OK. Working Party time. For the uninitiated, this is when we break into four groups to have some initial debate and give some initial scrutiny to the various resolutions (seventeen or eighteen by my count) which have been submitted for this year's AGM.
The four working parties are a) sexual and reproductive rights, b) campaigns, c) AGM and AIUK constitution and d) organisation. I can't be in two places at one time, never mind four, so for better or for worse, I've plumped for the debates on abortion policy, which are likely to prove the most contentious of the weekend.
I'm not going to attempt to give a blow by blow (metaphorically speaking, only, of course) account of this or any other specific policy discussion. Apart from anything else, sometimes it's hard to keep up and the debate can be very fluid. But I will try to give a flavour of the debates where I am present or where I get reliable feedback from correspondents in the field (actually in other anonymous lecture theatres dotted around the campus). I know we have at least one other blogger covering the AGM, our own inestimable blogmonster, so hopefully you will get some other perspectives in addition to my own.
11:56 Bruce Kent (he of CND fame) has proposed his policy motion. He wants membership subs and donations ringfenced so that members / donors can prevent their monies going towards work arising from our policy on abortion. Debate goes backwards and forwards in a friendly manner and an indicative vote is taken.
In fairness to all participants and in fairness to AIUK's democratic process, I'm not going to record the outcome of this or any other votes here. The real vote will take place on Sunday in plenary session and will be formally recorded and published by AIUK. I don't see the role of this blog to supplant that due process.
12:06 Other motions on sexual and reproductive rights are now under debate, but I'm going to sign off from this Working Party, now that I have a sense of the tone (civil) and direction of debate.
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