The Constitution of Respect - The Unity Coalition

1) Name

1.1) The name of the organisation shall be Respect - The Unity Coalition. As an acronym this will stand for: RESPECT - Respect, Equality, Socialism, Peace, Environment, Community, Trade Unionism. It shall be a political coalition of groups, parties, organisations and individuals who support Respect's Founding Declaration and the decisions of its annual conference.

2) Aims

2.1) We believe that there is an alternative to imperialist war, unfettered global capital, and the rule of the market. We aim for a society where wealth is created to meet the needs of the people and not the profits of the corporations. We aim to organise opposition to all forms of inequality and injustice, including the increasing abuse of human and democratic rights. We aim to oppose actively the destruction of the environment, inherent in the profit system, which threatens the future of the planet.

2.2) The aim of Respect is to build a broad-based and inclusive alternative to the parties of privatisation, war and occupation. We will do this by intervening in elections at national, local and European level, building Respect as a campaigning organisation, involvement in trade union and workplace struggle, and by building local branches of Respect which are rooted in local campaigns and in the local labour movement.

2.3) We recognise that the current new Labour leadership has fully embraced the neo-liberal agenda of radical marketisation. It has supported US imperialism in its invasion of Iraq, its so-called permanent war on terrorism, and its attacks on human rights. Its racist attitude towards migrants and asylum seekers has bolstered the far right. We also recognise that it has changed the constitutional position within the Labour Party to ensure that this right-wing path cannot be reversed from within.

2.4) The political platform of Respect is contained in the Founding Declaration adopted at our founding conference in January 2004, our European Manifesto for the June 2004 elections and our Manifesto for London in the same elections, subject to amendment and development by annual conference. Our overall aim is to help create a socially just and ecologically sustainable society. A society in which social justice is defined as incorporating:

• the organisation of society in the most open, participative, and accountable way practicable based on common ownership and democratic control

• the maximum freedom for the individual commensurate with the freedom of others

• the fight against, and ultimate abolition of, racism, sexism and all forms of discrimination on grounds of religion, disability, age or sexual identity.

• the ultimate abolition of all forms of economic exploitation and social oppression.

• the promotion of peace and a system of justice which gives defence from tyranny, prejudice and the abuse of power.

• the promotion of social, economic and cultural structures which are ecologically sustainable and supportive to global ecosystems.

3) Membership

3.1) Respect is a broad, open and inclusive organisation based on voluntary participation. It is politically pluralistic and will encourage all members to participate in its campaigns and activities.

3.2) Anyone who broadly agrees with the aims and objectives of Respect, and is prepared to treat its decisions and procedures in a positive and cooperative way can join Respect. Other progressive political affiliations (i.e. membership of another left party or organisation) or religious belief (or affiliation) is no barrier to membership. Members of other parties, organisations, or faith groups who join Respect are entitled to keep their identity as members of these organisations or groups whilst participating fully within the structures and activities of Respect.

3.3) Individual members (i.e. those with no other affiliations) are strongly welcomed into the ranks of Respect. Debates and discussions within Respect should be conducted in a positive way, with the avoidance of personal attacks and with adequate space for the participation of individual members.

3.4) Trades unions at the national, regional or local level may affiliate to Respect. They will have the right of representation at annual and other conferences.

3.5) Membership of Respect involves a financial as well as a political commitment. The annual fee for membership of Respect will be determined by the annual conference. Membership will be by payment to the national office and will be administered at national level. The membership list will be kept by the national office and made available to local branches and Regions as necessary.

3.6) Disciplinary issues and disputes relating to membership will be dealt with by a procedure to be agreed by annual conference.

4) Policy making and structure

4.1) National policy will be decided by annual conference. Conference will normally be on a delegate basis. Additional conferences can be called at the discretion of the National Committee or at the request of 25% of the membership. With an additional conference the national committee will determine its constitution.

4.2) The implementation of national policy and national activities between conferences will be carried out by the National Committee (NC). The NC will have between 35 and 50 members to be determined by annual conference. It will be responsible for running the organisation, finance, membership, distribution of information to branches, liaison with other organisations, and any other duties delegated to it by the annual conference. Subject to annual conference the NC, and between NC meetings the Executive Committee (see below), will have the final decision on where and when to stand candidates in elections at local and national level. Candidates will be selected by the local branch or constituency organisation with the agreement of the National Committee.

4.3) The NC will be elected by annual conference by alternative slates and will meet at least 6 times a year. The alternative slate system means that voting will be indicated by order of preference between slates presented for election. If no slate has an absolute majority the slate with the least votes will be eliminated until a slate receives an absolute majority. Movers of slates should seek to take into account the issues of gender, ethnicity, regionality and political affiliation and/or platform. It is important that women are fully represented and the aim should be at least the gender balance of the Respect membership.

4.4) An Executive Committee (EC) will be elected by the NC, from its members, to act on its behalf between its meetings and to carry out such duties as it decides. The EC will meet between NC meetings at a frequency it deems necessary. The NC will also elect the officers of Respect: National Secretary, Chair, Treasurer, Election Agent, Press Officer, Research Officer and other officers it deems necessary. Officers should normally be members of the EC.

4.5) The NC and the EC should seek consensus, as much as possible, in decision making but where this is not possible decisions should be by simple majority vote.

4.6) Any group of at least 20 members will have the right to organise within Respect and to present resolutions to conferences - consistent with the agenda of the conference.

4.7) We will establish Policy Groups to study and develop areas of policy which will report to the NC.

4.8) The constitution of Respect may be changed by decision of the annual conference by a two thirds majority of the delegates.

4.9) Respect may be dissolved as an organisation by a two thirds majority of a special conference convened by the NC.

5) Local organisation

The basic unit of Respect will be the local branch.

The geographical structure of branches will have to be flexible to take into account that we are a new and developing organisation. Any disputes as to the boundaries of branches must be referred to the NC for decision.

Branches should aim to meet on a regular basis (at least monthly). Branches should elect officers and/or an executive committee to ensure the smooth running of the branch. Decision making at branches should be by simple majority vote. Branches should maintain an up-to-date membership list in liaison with the National Office.

Local Branches should raise local funds in the way they so determine, i.e. by regular local donations and fund raising.

Regional organisations can be established as necessary given the need for campaigning and organization, i.e. when election constituency patterns require it.