Proposed by: Dr Mohammed Ali Syed
Seconder: Aheesha Zahir
Esteemed members of Congress, today we stand at a pivotal junction in our journey as a party committed to inclusivity and representation. As we recognise the diverse tapestry of our membership, it is imperative that we ensure every voice is heard and valued in our gatherings and decision-making processes. The motion before us proposes that all Workers Party meetings and events embrace an ethos of inclusivity, acknowledging that the environments in which we convene can significantly impact participation. We must consider how the choice of venues, particularly those that serve alcohol, may inadvertently deter some of our members and supporters from engaging fully. Additionally, we need to address the importance of accommodating religious practices, such as the need for breaks for obligatory prayers, which reflect our commitment to diversity and respect for individual beliefs. By adopting this policy, we not only uphold the principles of equality but also foster a sense of belonging among our stakeholders. Let us lead by example in creating spaces that are welcoming for everyone, ensuring that our party reflects the broad spectrum of perspectives we represent. Together, we can cultivate an environment where inclusivity is not just an aspiration but a foundation upon which we build our future. I urge you to support this motion for the betterment of our party and the communities we serve.
Objectives:
1. Promote Inclusivity: To ensure that all Workers Party members, supporters, and voters feel welcomed and valued in meetings and events, regardless of their backgrounds or beliefs.
2. Inclusive Venue Selection: To identify and utilise venues that cater to a broader range of stakeholders, avoiding locations that may alienate or discourage individuals due to the presence of alcohol or other cultural/religious considerations.
3. Provide Appropriate Breaks: To incorporate appropriate breaks within event and meeting schedules that allow for obligatory prayers or personal reflection, accommodating different faiths and practices.
4. Gather Feedback: To implement a systematic approach for gathering stakeholder feedback on inclusivity measures, allowing for continuous improvement in event planning.
5. Raise Awareness: To raise awareness amongst all members and organisers about the importance of inclusivity in developing a diverse and engaged community within the Workers Party.
Conclusions:
Adopting this motion is crucial for fostering a climate of inclusivity within the Workers Party. It recognises that diverse participation strengthens the democratic process and enhances the party’s ability to represent the interests of all stakeholders. By committing to more inclusive practices in event and meeting organisation, the Workers Party will empower its members and supporters, thereby increasing engagement and support for the party’s initiatives. This policy will ultimately help build a more unified and representative community that reflects the values and diverse backgrounds of its members.
I concur with the sentiment but in my experience the choice of venue for such gatherings depends on factors such as locality, availability, and cost. The party’s principles should be upheld in all aspects of its business and organization. Ethically we should support independent local venues, businesses, and the culture of our members as a whole whenever possible.
I don’t believe this motion if passed would amplify the inclusivity of our party beyond what is already stipulated in our rulebook under the subheading of ‘membership eligibility’: “Application for membership shall be available to anyone without regard to gender, race, nationality, disability, sexual preference, religion or belief.”
Aside from the numerous appeals to ‘understanding’ and ‘inclusivity’. The crux of the motion rests on two propositions:
1) Don’t hold meetings where achohol is served or in anyway made available on premises.
2) Ensure regular breaks to accomodate prayers and other religious practices.
It would be foolish to deny that the Workers Party organises in areas where the density of people who follow strict religious codes. At the same time, such codes cannot be established as the norm across the area in which we organise, the island of Great Britain. In Britain, the place in which the vast majority of British workers congregate outside of work is no longer church, but the pub.
It is my belief that the current practice of giving branches and groups the autonomy to determine the best places to meet and how such meetings are to be conducted is far from ideal, but the best way in how we go about our day-to-day affairs. This motion is too narrowly prescriptive for a nationwide political party and if passed would hinder rather spur local branch activity.
Premises serving alcohol should not be a problem to anyone. You can chose to partake or not, that is your choice. But don’t tell us what we as individuals can and can’t do. The pagan British, the true religion of these lands have a healthy relationship with alcohol. We bless the old gods with it. Thor would roll on his thunder cloud to hear such nonsense. Partake or not, that is your choice. I drink to Valhalla.
This is, I am afraid, not inclusivity but exclusivity, imposing the requirements of one community on others. This should be a matter for local branches.
In addition, the general view of many members is that we should be supporting English pubs as community centres and that alcohol has nothing to do with belief systems. Indeed, there is a Motion to support the pub sector to be discussed at Congress.
It is reasonable for predominantly Muslim areas to perhaps choose not to meet in a pub or similar and good manners in such places for non-Muslims to accept the restriction but this should definitely not be imposed on working class members in, say, Kent and Sussex. It would be equally good manners for Muslims to join other Members elsewhere wherever it suited them and have an orange juice.
The net result of the Motion would be a lot of British working class people simply not bothering to engage with the Party and, whatever the WPB is, it is not and never has been the Muslim Party or, for that matter, the Christian, Buddhist or Pagan Party.
In practice, imposing such rules across a national British Party would be deemed deeply insulting to many Members and increase the attraction of the Far Right to potential voters who will certainly support their local public houses. The Motion is politically naive and it should be rejected outright for the sake of the Party’s growth and development. Local branches should be left to decide where they meet and under what circumstances.
Well stated comrade.
I think that it is reasonable to have a ‘no alcohol rule’ in and during meetings which themselves should not be in a bar, but the room upstairs in the pub should be fine. I agree with the idea of being inclusive but I also think it’s OK for members to have a pint in the bar afterwards and I would welcome those who don’t drink, to join us with a genocide free cola.
I strongly disagree with the motion and believe that it would be politically harmful. The party has to get rid of the plethora of the “Muslim party” it it wands to have any election perspectives. And we have enough of all this “inclusivity”, “diversity” etc. If you think alcohol is bad – just don’t drink it. I almost don’t consume alcohol but I don’t mind at all if someone has a drink and it makes them happy (while it is consumed in moderation). If you want to organize a meeting in an venue which doesn’t serve alcohol that’s great but making such mandatory is way too much.