SEC Report - September 2020 

Hello,
Below are my notes from today's SEC meeting - get in touch if you have any questions. 

Please feel free to share this e-mail with party members. They can subscribe to my mailing list with this link.

Best wishes

Scott 

Cllr Scott Arthur (SEC members for South of Scotland and the Lothian regions) 


Leadership debate
Richard Leonard has retained the support of the SEC and will take us into the Holyrood 2021 election.
 
Jane Prinsley
A discussion was held regarding the removal from Jane Prinsley from the SEC as “Scottish Labour Students is no longer affiliated to the Scottish Party and Labour students is no longer affiliated to the UK Labour Party”. Concerns were raised and a report on this will be presented to the next SEC as a result.
 
Leaders Report
Significant focus is being given to the impact of Covid-19 on jobs and the wider economy. Abusive e-mails sent to SEC members (apparently by party members) are being investigated.
 
Polling / public attitudes presentation – Henry Stannard
A key challenge is that the SNP are perceived as being left wing and Scottish Labour is not viewed as being distinctive on Brexit/Independence. Nonetheless, several key issues are more important to voters than Brexit/Independence per se - this and being clearer on the constitution is an opportunity for Labour.
 
Political reports
Scottish Parliament – No report as Mark Griffin MSP has been on paternity leave.
UK Parliament – Holding the Government to account on Covid-19 “Test & Trace”. Focus on job losses due to Covid-19. On the regulatory framework, the party is focusing on keeping the same standards as the EU. 
Local Government – Local authorities remain under huge financial stress due to Covid-19 and face a continual fight with the Scottish Government for funding.  
Women’s committee report
Cathy Peattie has been leading on setting up an online network of Women’s Officers via Zoom. A newsletter has also been issues to female members.  
 
Constituency Selections for Holyrood 2021
AWS designations have been made, and it was agreed that the  remaining seats can begin selection processes in line with COVID-19 selection procedures.
 
Regional List Selections
Further legal advice is being sought, but supporting (1) more female candidates, (2) greater diversity and (3) key workers were agreed as “key principles” in the selection process.