WELSH SOCIALIST ALLIANCE

CONSTITUTION (Amended Jan 2001)

1.1 Our name shall be the "Welsh Socialist Alliance" (WSA).

1.2 The WSA stands for the creation of a democratic socialist society based on need not profit, i.e. the replacement of capitalism with a system based on democratic ownership and control of the key sectors of the economy.

1.3 The WSA stands for the right of the people of Wales, England, Scotland and Ireland to self determination. In Wales, we campaign for a Welsh parliament with primary law making and revenue raising powers to decide its relationship with the UK, Europe and the rest of the world.

1.4 The WSA promotes working class unity and opposes discrimination. We are committed to equal rights for all, regardless of race, religion, language, gender, sexual orientation, age or disability.

1.5 The WSA will produce and campaign around a "Charter for Socialist Change".The charter will be regularly updated, but will include the following principles - the right to:-

(a) decent housing;
(b) a job with a guaranteed living wage;
(c) a decent living income;
(d) free education;
(e) free healthcare;
(f) a clean and safe environment;
(g) join a trade union and for that union to be recognised by the employer;
(h) strike and picket effectively without state interference;
(i) freedom of expression and protest provided this does not promote racism and fascism;
(j) equal rights for the Welsh and English languages and rights for other minority languages and cultures.

1.6 The WSA actively supports international solidarity with struggles for socialism and of working people and working class communities anywhere in the world. We stand for a new socialist world where poverty, starvation, environmental destruction, exploitation, war, and racial hatred are eradicated. We promote the cause of world peace and disarmament.

1.7 The WSA strives to unite in action all those involved in fighting against injustice including political parties, groupings and individuals, trade unionists, community organisations, tenants' groups, campaign groups and protest movements. We will provide political, practical and moral support for workers in struggle.

MEMBERSHIP

2.1 Any individual or organisation (eg political group, trade union at any level, environmental group, tenants organisation, community group, anti nuclear group, civil rights organisation,animal rights group, anti-racist organisation, international solidarity campaign etc) whobroadly agrees the Aims & Objectives and agrees to abide by the constitution is encouraged to join and participate in the WSA.

2.2 The WSA welcomes membership from individuals who are members of other organisations or are members of none. Membership of other organisations shall be declared on application/renewal of membership.

2.3 The organisations and groups participating in the WSA must be affiliates. Affiliation assumes a political commitment and all affiliates should also encourage individual membership from their respective organisations. All representatives from affiliated organisations to the WSA must also be individual WSA members. Each affiliate is entitled to one delegate to the National Council.

2.4 An organisation of this type, broad, pluralist and voluntary, must be open, inclusive and flexible. Members and affiliates are encouraged to recognise that different opinions are valued and diversity and dissent can positive. The WSA strives for an internal atmosphere of openness, tolerance and respect; where everyone is encouraged to fully participate at all levels. The WSA is opposed to racism, sexism, sectarianism, homophobia and all forms of discrimination. Members and affiliates should reflect this their language and behaviour. It is important that all members and affiliates participate within the WSA in this positive manner.
WSA will strive at all times to give the opportunity for members to talk their own language, and to provide translations.
Individual subscription and affiliation rates will be decided by Annual Conference.

ORGANISATION

3.1 The WSA will organise at local branch level, area level (where desired) and national level. Local branches may group together on an area basis, her on a regular basis or for particular campaigning purposes. Area organisers may be elected at National Conference with the responsibility of organising new branches. National Council may elect area organisers outside of conference) who will serve until National Conference is convened, then area organisers elected by National Council may be re-elected or deselected by National Conference.

3.2 Initially there will be 5 geographical areas for the basis of electing a Organisers - based on the European Constituencies in Wales.

3.3

(a) Individual members will be entitled to participate in branches, based upon residency,place of work or place of study.
(b) Organisations ( eg community groups, tenants groups, hospital campaign etc.)can affiliate at this level.
(c) The WSA allows individual members and affiliates to organise in sections and encourage an identity (eg Youth Section, Woman's Section, black Section,Gay/Lesbian Section, Disabled Section etc.). Appropriate structures to be agreed by the National Conference, or National Council pending ratification by National Conference.

3.4 Aggregate meetings can be held at an area level - open to all members. These meetings can elect an Area Co-ordinating Committee.

3.5 National policy will be decided democratically by a National Conference open to all members voting as individual members of the WSA. Branches and a Steering Groups have the right to determine local/area policy of local/area matters.

3.6 Throughout the WSA, voting on policy matters will be by show of hands. internal elections will be by secret ballot, using a transferable voting system (until a candidate gains at least 50% of the total votes cast). Voting will be by individual members only.

3.7 There will be a monthly National Council consisting of office-bearers elected at the National Conference, two delegates per branch and one delegates from eachaffiliated organisation. Branches and affiliates should encourage to seek a gender balance in their delegations. The National Council is able to appoint sub committees as necessary.

3.8 The National Council has the right to call a Special Conference if it considers this to be necessary. A Special Conference can also be called by a signed requisition of 30% of the members.

3.9 The National Council can appoint a Co-ordinating Committee consisting of the elected office bearers that can meet between National Council meetings when it is necessary and may appoint other officers who are ex-officio unless also elected to the National Council.

3.10 The elected office bearers will be responsible for processing the decisions of National/Special Conferences and the day to day running of the WSA. Office bearers will be as follows:-

Chairperson.
Secretary (preparation of agendas, liaising with area conveners, reporting to the Co-ordinating Committee and the National Council on ogress etc.).
Treasurer (Membership dues, preparation of financial reports etc.)
Vice Chairperson,
Publicity Officer.

3.11 As a safeguard to protect the pluralism of the WSA, organised political currents shall each be restricted to a maximum of 40% of the membership of elected national bodies ie Co-ordinating Committee and National Council.

12 The WSA aims for gender equality in all national bodies,

13 All WSA meetings are open to all members and every effort will be made allow full participation by various means - including inclusive seating arrangements, language and creche facilities.

14 All WSA bodies shall keep members fully informed of WSA activities.

4 PUBLIC ELECTIONS

4.1 The WSA will seek to contest council and parliamentary elections within the limits imposed by resources finance etc. In the early stages at least will be necessary to target resources where the maximum impact can be made. A flexible approach should be adopted to ensure that a united socialist front is presented and agreement with other socialist and community organisations not affiliated to the WSA should be striven for.

The following democratic safeguards will apply:-

(a) Members of the WSA in any given electoral area eg council ward, parliamentary constituency, can decide to stand, provided the decision is ratified by a Special Meeting of branches and affiliated organisations in e appropriate area.
(b) if W'SA members in a given electoral area decide not to stand for political reasons, that decision cannot be overturned by any other body.
(c) Members of the WSA in the relevant electoral ward or constituency will select their candidates using the same voting methods that are used in internal elections, provided the decision is ratified by a Special Meeting ofbranches and affiliated organisations in the appropriate area.
(d) Any paid-up WSA members are entitled to put his/her name forward as a candidate/s.
(e) Where no WSA member lives in a given electoral area, any decision to and in that area will be taken by a Special Meeting of branches and affiliated organisations in the appropriate area; or where no such body exists by a Special Conference or National Council decision ) For elections to the Welsh Assembly, Additonal Members lists will be agreed at the local level of Area Co-ordinating Committees.
(f) The National Council, Area Co-ordinating Committee and branches should attempt where necessary to work towards agreement with other socialist partiesand community organisations not affiliated to the WSA to ensure that the socialist vote is not split, and where necessary enter into pacts or joint slates to this end.

4.2 Affiliated organisations should not stand candidates against the WSA d it is expected that affiliates candidates will stand under the umbrella the WSA.

4.3 All WSA elected representatives must be prepared to:-

(a) represent local/area/national policy and be accountable to the appropriate WSA body.
(b) accept personal pay no more than the average skilled workers wage, with any surplus being donated to the movement.
(c) participate in non violent direct action campaigns and activities in pursuit of the aims and objectives of the WSA on the same basis as any other WSA member.

5 AMMENDMENT TO CONSTITUTION

National Conference may amend the WSA Constitution by a simple majority of those voting.