1. Summary of the Constitution

Membership:

The constitution requires all new Momentum members to be Labour Party members. New members who join Momentum must be members of the Labour Party.

Momentum members who have been suspended from Labour, but not expelled, will remain members of Momentum. Momentum members who believe they have been expelled from the Labour Party unfairly, along with individuals about whom membership decisions are taken, have the right to a hearing by Momentum’s National Coordinating Group.

Supporters of Momentum who are not members can participate in campaigns and activities organised by a local group, network or Momentum nationally, but cannot hold a position within Momentum, vote in elections or hold other membership rights.

How key decisions are made:

Key decisions are made by our National Coordinating Group (NCG) which includes representatives of members, affiliates and Labour public office holders, as well as being elected ordinary members through a digital democracy process. This aims to achieve a broad and representative group to regularly meet and discuss the needs of the organisation while maintaining the membership as the ultimate decision makers on key issues. The NCG is also overseen by a Members’ Council consisting of 50 members randomly chosen by lot.

1) National Coordinating Group (NCG):

The National Coordinating Group will comprise:

20 members, four from each of five divisions (a) the North West and Wales; (b) the Midlands, and the East; (c) the South East and South West; (d) London; (e) Yorkshire, Scotland, the North (North East & Cumbria) & overseas members. At least two of the members elected from each division should be women, and at least one should self-identify as BAME (black, Asian, ethnic minority).

4 Momentum members who are Labour public officer holders (of the UK, European or Scottish Parliaments, Welsh or London Assemblies, Elected Mayors or Police Commissioners, or Labour members of a British local authority).

6 members nominated by affiliated trade unions

4 members nominated by other affiliated organisations

If the 20 members who are elected do not include one person who self-identifies as disabled, one person who self-identifies as LGBT+ and three young persons under 30, then up to 4 more places will be elected to ensure these groups are represented.

All members can stand and vote in elections for positions on the NCG. Elections to the NCG will take place online or by other accessible means, with each member having a vote. Please find details of the election process and timetable here.

The constitution stipulates that the NCG should facilitate self-organisation for members of liberation groups within Momentum – LGBT+, disabled, women and black Asian and ethnic minority (BAME) – and campaign for increased representation for liberation groups within the Labour Party. The NCG must ensure that Momentum liberation networks have the support to organise campaigns and are able to advise and make recommendations to the NCG.

2) Members Council:

So that members can directly participate in developing the activities, resources and campaigns of Momentum, a Members’ Council will be chosen randomly by lot every 6 months. The goal is for the ideas, inspiration and innovation of Momentum’s activities to come from the grassroots, and be as responsive to members’ needs as possible.

3) Digital Democracy Platform:

My Momentum, Momentum’s digital democracy platform, has been used to consult members on Momentum’s submissions to the democracy review. Soon it will enable members to initiate and vote on campaign priorities, constitutional amendments or overturning decisions by the NCG. All members will be able to vote online with each member having a vote. Any members who are unable to vote online can contact the National Office to vote via other accessible means.