Momentum tells Burnham restory party democracy

Labour CND

Momentum is calling on newly-elected Labour leader Andy Burnham to restore democracy in the Labour Party. It has launching a lobbying tool for supporters and Labour voters to back the call.

Burnham has already pledged to relax the whipping system to allow MPs to be “authentic representatives” to their constituents. This is in stark contrast to Starmer’s authoritarian approach after he suspended MPs from all corners of the Party throughout his tenure. 

Momentum welcomes the promotion of a pluralist party but urges Burnham to go further. No MP should be suspended for voting against the government, taking positions opposed to the government.

Key demands include restoring free and fair democratic selections, ensuring staff neutrality at Labour HQ and reintroducing One Member, One Vote (OMOV) for key internal elections.  

Momentum’s demands include:

  • Any trade union backed candidate should be longlisted.
  • CLPs should have control of longlisting for Parliamentary selections.
  • End the factional use of due diligence.
  • Abolish the use of Anonyvoter – two years ago, four Labour-affiliated unions wrote to the Party’s General Secretary expressing “grave doubts” over its use.

A Labour List poll last year revealed that over half of Labour members want the party to retain OMOV for electing leaders.

Labour’s appalling local council results underline the need for democracy to be restored in local government selections. That means abolishing Campaign Improvement Boards which impose candidates on branches, ending regional office interventions in local government selections and giving Local Government Committees control of the entirety of the selection process.

Jess Barnard, Labour NEC representative, said:“A Labour Party that returns to its founding principles and promotes pluralism across our movement is key to achieving change, taking on inequality and defeating the far right.” 

Former Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell said:“Burnham must put restoring Labour democracy and members’ rights at the heart of his vision for Labour. It’s time to end the narrow, top-down control imposed by the former leadership.” 

Sasha Das Gupta, Momentum Co-Chair, said:“Starmer’s Labour failed because it was out of touch with the values and principles of Labour members and trade unions. Hollowing out Party democracy and sidelining ordinary members left too few activists on the ground to make the positive case for Labour. Burnham must change this by restoring democracy and promoting pluralism, so all corners of the Party have a real say in its future.”

The lobbying tool is available here.
This article first appear on Labour Hub, 22 July 2026

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