Does the NEC adequately represent and promote diversity in the Party?

There are 8 women and 9 men currently elected to the NEC.  Since the election of 11 national/regional members by one member, one vote was introduced in 2014, gender balance has been sought by reserving some of these eleven seats at each election for women.

One member under 27 is directly elected by all individual young members.  This must be a woman if the previous member was a man.

The other sections where there are two representatives elect one woman and one man.

There are two BAME members currently elected to the NEC (12%).  Prior to any formal review of the structure of the NEC, it was also agreed that a BAME Observer, elected by and from BAME Co-operators, should be appointed to the 2020/23 NEC.

No records are kept on LGBTQ+ or disability for members of the NEC, except for the purpose of facilitating meetings.

Does the NEC have the correct balance of all levels of representation e.g. individual members, societies and affiliates, and elected representatives?

The NEC has two members appointed by the Co-operative Group – our largest subscribing society – although one of these is currently unfilled.  There are also two places elected by and from the remaining societies and affiliates, including non-retail societies and trade unions.

There are two members appointed by and from the Westminster Parliamentary Group, plus an additional observer from the Co-operative Parliamentary Group in the House of Lords.

Members of the Scottish and Welsh Parliaments, councillors, elected mayors and Police & Crime Commissioners are not directly represented.

Is geographical representation i.e. election by and from regions still appropriate?

There are 11 NEC members elected by and from individual members.  This is one each from Scotland & Northern Ireland (combined), Wales, and the nine government regions in England.

This model allows each of these members to represent and be accountable to a clearly defined electorate.  However, electing one member per region/nation makes it more difficult to secure gender balance and diversity; and to accommodate other types of representation (e.g. elected representatives) without adversely affecting the size of the NEC.

Other models for election to the NEC by and from individual members could include a UK-wide election subject to a maximum number of members elected from a single region, as was used for the network elections.  This would enable gender balance to be secured and for the number of representatives (currently 11) to be amended if necessary.

Are there measures we should take to ensure that the NEC has the necessary skills and expertise to function as an effective Board?

As the Board of registered Society, the NEC has significant legal responsibilities for the corporate governance of the Party.  Induction and external training is provided but currently no formal qualifications, skills or experience are required from NEC candidates other than confirming that they understand and accept the role and responsibilities of an NEC member, outlined in the candidate pack.

Previous measures considered by the NEC – but not implemented – include rolling, rather than all-out, elections to ensure some continuity of skills and experience.

Current NEC structure

• Eleven members are elected by and from individual members on the basis of one member one vote. One from Scotland; one from Wales; and from each of the nine Government Regions of England.

Members in Northern Ireland can stand for election and vote in the Scottish constituency.  Since 2017, the NEC has agreed to co-opt an observer from Northern Ireland if the elected member is from Scotland, or vice versa.

• One member under twenty-seven, elected by and from individual youth members by one member one vote.
• One member appointed by the Board of Co-operatives UK Limited (currently not filled);
• Two members appointed by the Board of the Co-operative Group Limited.  Only one of these places is currently filled, elected by and from members of the National Membership Council.
• Two members elected by and from affiliated Societies other than the Co-operative Group.  Non-retail co-ops and affiliated trade unions can also nominate and vote in this section.
• Two members from the Westminster Parliamentary Group.  The Parliamentary Group also currently has an observer from the group in the House of Lords.

How to respond

Initial comments and submissions are welcome from branch and party officers, elected representatives, members of the networks and individual members.  These will help to inform the NEC’s discussion at the strategy weekend in September and to formulate proposals for further consultation with local parties, subscribing societies and networks in Spring 2022.

Please submit your comments on this form by Wednesday 1 September.

Timetable

The NEC will circulate initial proposals for consultation in the Spring so that changes to the rules for the election of the NEC can be proposed to the Society’s AGM in 2022 and approval sought from the Financial Conduct Authority before the launch of the next NEC elections in January 2023.