Women’s Equality Party Conference 2023
Saturday 4th - Sunday 5th November
Party Business Outcomes
A motion is a proposal for debate at party conference, and these are the motions which were scheduled by the Agenda Committee for debate at Conference 2023, and the outcomes of those debates and any votes.
2023 Motions:
Policy motions:
P1. Wealth tax for equality
Proposed by: Haringey Branch
Read the Motion in full >>
Outcome: motion passed
P2. Local services must be local
Proposed by: Caroline Hunt
Read the Motion in full >>
Amendment Title: Including other vital services in the call for local services to be
local
Proposed by: WE Richmond Branch
Amendment Title: Policy consistency in local services motion
Proposed by: The Steering Committee of the Women’s Equality Party
These two amendments were accepted by the motion proposer.
Read amended motion in full >>
Outcome: motion passed as amended
Amendment Title: Local Services in Less Populated Areas
Proposed by: WE Edinburgh Branch
Read amended motion in full >>
Outcome: amendment fell
P3. Local Authorities must review schools’ ability to meet new Government standards on equal access to sport and provide the wherewithal to meet them where lacking
Proposed by: Stacy Hart
Read the Motion in full >>
Amendment Title: A gender balanced choice of sports as well as equal access.
This amendment was accepted by the motion proposer.
Read amended motion in full >>
Outcome: motion passed as amended
P4. Inclusive and participatory design of the built environment and social infrastructure
Proposed by: Milton Keynes Branch
Outcome: motion passed
P5. Reforming probation
Proposed by: Madeline Petrillo
Outcome: motion passed
P6. Stop stringing us along on childcare
Proposed by: Mandu Reid, Leader of the Women’s Equality Party
Outcome: motion passed
Business Motion:
B1. Virtual branch
Proposed by: Jacquie Cottrell
Amendment Title: Adding necessary constitutional amendments
Amendment proposed by: The Steering Committee of the Women’s Equality Party
This amendment was accepted by the motion proposer.
Read amended motion in full >>
Outcome: motion passed as amended
Special Debates:
SD1. WE in Scotland. The future.
Proposed by: Edinburgh and the Lothians Branch
Special debates are not voted on
SD2. A feminist foreign policy to address international crises
Proposed by: Glasgow Branch
Special debates are not voted on
Published motions 2023
Women’s Equality Party Conference 2023
Saturday 4th - Sunday 5th November
A motion is a proposal for debate at party conference, and these are the motions which have been admitted by the Agenda Committee for debate at Conference 2023. You can also find out more about how party business works, what happens at conference, and view the party business timeline.
Read the full guidelines and FAQs >>
Read the standing orders:
Standing Orders >>
Standing Orders - Large print >>
2023 Motions:
Policy motions:
P1. Wealth tax for equality
Proposed by: Haringey Branch
Read the Motion in full >>
P2. Local services must be local
Proposed by: Caroline Hunt
Read the Motion in full >>
Amendment Title: Including other vital services in the call for local services to be
local
Proposed by: WE Richmond Branch
Amendment Title: Policy consistency in local services motion
Proposed by: The Steering Committee of the Women’s Equality Party
These amendments have been accepted by the motion proposer.
Amendment Title: Local Services in Less Populated Areas
Proposed by: WE Edinburgh Branch
This amendment will be up for debate.
Read amended motion in full >>
P3. Local Authorities must review schools’ ability to meet new Government standards on equal access to sport and provide the wherewithal to meet them where lacking
Proposed by: Stacy Hart
Read the Motion in full >>
Amendment Title: A gender balanced choice of sports as well as equal access.
This amendment has been accepted by the motion proposer.
Read amended motion in full >>
P4. Inclusive and participatory design of the built environment and social infrastructure
Proposed by: Milton Keynes Branch
P5. Reforming probation
Proposed by: Madeline Petrillo
P6. Stop stringing us along on childcare
Proposed by: Mandu Reid, Leader of the Women’s Equality Party
Business Motion:
B1. Virtual branch
Proposed by: Jacquie Cottrell
Amendment Title: Adding necessary constitutional amendments
Amendment proposed by: The Steering Committee of the Women’s Equality Party
This amendment has been accepted by the motion proposer.
Read amended motion in full >>
Special Debates:
SD1. WE in Scotland. The future.
Proposed by: Edinburgh and the Lothians Branch
SD2. A feminist foreign policy to address international crises
Proposed by: Glasgow Branch
NOTICES OF ELECTION: Policy Representatives and Steering Committee
The Steering Committee gives notice that it will hold elections for four Policy Representatives and one Steering Committee member of the Women’s Equality Party.
The ballot will be held at conference on 4th November 2023. The elections will be overseen by Chief Returning Officer, Alison Smith.
Do you care passionately about one of our core policy areas? Do you love talking about our party and working with others to develop ground-breaking feminist policies? Are you excited by the idea of steering the party in new and exciting directions?
👉 WE need you to contest these elections! 👈
✋ Put yourself forward for election as a Policy Representative. You can put your passion into action and work with our Party Leader, the central office team and our members to help the party create ground-breaking, change-making policies.
✋ Contest the election to become a member of the party's Steering Committee. Join the group of brilliant members driving our strategy and direction between party conferences.
Jump to find out how to apply >>
Procedure document for Policy Representatives >>
Procedure document for Steering Committee >>
What does a Policy Representative do?
It has never been more important that our party leads the way in reimagining politics with innovative policy that meets the moment. Our Policy Representatives work as a team to brainstorm and amplify our extraordinary policies far and wide. They also work across the party with the central office team, branches, caucuses, and the Steering Committee to create policy that leaves no woman behind.
The Policy Representatives team organises two online policy forums for members each year to support the development of party policy and helps to continue policy work between meeting and conferences.
As a collective, the Policy Representatives support the Leader of the Party’s strategic vision by providing advice and guidance on policy.
What's needed for this role?
-
An understanding the party’s mission, policies and objectives
-
An active party membership
-
An eagerness to stay up to date with policy developments
-
Excitement about the opportunity to work with other Policy Representatives
-
A keen mind for the intricate details of policy
What does a Steering Committee member do?
The Steering Committee is the Party’s central decision-making body outside of Party conferences. It steers the direction of the Party by agreeing strategy, planning ahead and reacting to internal and external factors. It monitors the Party’s activities and outcomes against its mission, aims and objectives, and makes sure the Party’s activities are within the budget it sets and approves each year. It is also the body with the sole discretion to decide when and where WE stand candidates in elections.
As a member of the Steering Committee you would be working with other members on the committee to ensure that the big strategic decisions have been made and that you are steering the party in the right direction.
What's needed for this role?
-
An understanding the party’s mission, policies and objectives
-
An active party membership
-
A passion for sharing your ideas as well as listening to others and working as a team to find solutions
-
A skill for analysis, and care when assessing risks and someone who can think strategically
-
A commitment to steering and growing our movement of political activists, and to making it diverse and representative of all women
How do I put myself forward?
When nominations open on Friday 1st September at 9:00am you can submit your nomination to the returning officer on [email protected].
Make sure you have read through the full procedure documentation, then send us a short statement, a photo and video making your case for why members should vote for you!
Procedure document for Policy Representatives >>
Procedure document for Steering Committee >>
You might want to refer to your personal connection to and passion for women’s equality and the particular policy areas you’re interested in or your ideas on strategising; experience of public speaking, building relationships to effect change, monitoring policy developments, an understanding of our policy areas, an understanding of how our party works, providing briefings or supporting campaigns, for example.
Make sure you include which role you are nominating yourself for in your email!
Specifications:
1. A photo
2. A film
3. A short statement
4. Your social media handles (if you wish to use these to support your campaign)
And then... send them to [email protected]
The Returning Officer(s) will check that your submissions meet the specified requirements and will confirm receipt of your submission.
Nominations will open at 9:00am, Friday 1st September.
The deadline for submitting your nomination is 5:00pm, Saturday 30th September
What is the process of election?
All member delegates at conference will have the opportunity to vote electronically for these roles on 4th November. The successful candidates will be elected by a simple majority.
The photos, videos and statements of all validly nominated candidates will be made available to members on Thursday 5th October.
Women’s Equality Party Conference 2023
Conference 2023 Agenda Committee
Saturday 4th - Sunday 5th November 2023
The Women’s Equality Party Agenda Committee is excited to invite applications to join our team. Members of the Agenda Committee do the vital work of reviewing motion and amendment proposals and selecting the agenda for conference, in line with the motion guidelines >>
Who are the Agenda Committee?
- Members appointed from the Steering Committee:
- Members with key skills and/or perspectives invited to join the committee
- Members from the WE membership who will be randomly selected from a pool of those who apply to join the committee
We are seeking five members from the membership of the Women’s Equality Party to fulfil this important role for conference.
These members will be chosen at random and training will be provided on 14th August.
Our role as the Agenda Committee
The Agenda Committee’s remit is to ensure that conference agenda includes appropriately composed motions and amendments that encourage debate in respect of the issues that engage the membership and leadership of the party at this time.
As members of the Agenda Committee, our role is not to debate or refuse motions based on their merit, but to focus objectively on the task of reviewing whether motions and amendments meet the requirements of the WE constitution and the motions guidelines >>
Under the WE constitution the Agenda Committee has the discretion to accept, amend or refuse a motion and/or amendment as follows:
- refuse a motion that contravenes the seven core objectives of the party, the WE constitution or the WE code,
- redraft a motion or amendment proposed in order to clarify its wording;
- decide to treat any removable part of a motion or amendment as a separate motion or amendment; and
- create a composite of similar motions or amendments;
- refuse a motion in order to maintain the party conference time-frame.
The Agenda Committee will review every motion and amendment to make sure it meets the threshold requirements. These are that:
- the signatory and proposer requirements are met;
- it is clear and concise and precise;
- it does not exceed word limits;
- it does not contravene the WE constitution; and
- it is directly relevant to WE's seven objectives and/or mission.
The Agenda Committee may refuse a motion on the grounds of lack of time for debate.
The Agenda Committee is tasked with selecting motions for debate that meet the threshold requirements and provoke the most interesting and relevant debate, representing the full range of motions submitted, and avoiding duplication or overlap wherever possible.
Therefore good grounds for selecting a motion are that it is:
- genuinely new and interesting (not a repeat of existing policy/business); and/or
- on a subject where WE don’t have much policy or which hasn’t been debated at conference recently; and/or
- on a subject of high political salience; and/or
- likely to lead to an interesting debate, with enthusiastic speakers on both sides
Good grounds for refusing a motion are where it is:
- repeating existing policy with nothing novel to debate; and/or
- repeating a debate recently held; and/or
- so universally agreeable as to be unlikely to encourage good debate.
The skills the Agenda Committee needs
- A desire to be part of a diverse team dedicated to enabling conference to be dynamic and transparent;
- A fair and equitable attitude;
- An ability to absorb and analyse complex and technical material quickly and efficiently;
- A good knowledge and understanding of, or willingness to learn, WE policies and the WE constitution.
Time Commitment
Applicants will need to be willing to make a real commitment in terms of putting aside time and capacity to attend meetings and to work outside of formal Agenda Committee meetings as well. The timetable for preparation for conference is tight, therefore the two weeks 13-28 September and 13-20 October are when the bulk of the work will be done including meetings, although there will be some work involved in the month from 14 August to 13 September, and again on the weekend of the 28th and 29th October.
Online training will be delivered on 14th August.
Application Process
We very much hope you will apply to join the Agenda Committee as we are keen to make the conference agenda the best it can possibly be. The deadline for applications is 10.00am on Wednesday 9th August 2023. Successful applicants will be informed via email.
Women’s Equality Party Conference 2023
Policy and business timeline
Saturday 4th November - Sunday 5th November
New to conference or need a refresher about party business?
Find out more about party business >>
Read the full guidelines and FAQs >>
Party business is a really important part of the conference agenda where delegates get together to debate and vote on motions which shape party policy and the way the party operates. If a motion is voted for by party members at conference it is adopted which means it either becomes the party’s official policy, or it changes how we run our party. Debating motions is a key part of party conference and getting involved in it is an important way for members to collectively shape the party.
Find all published motions for conference 2023 here >>
Read the standing orders:
Standing Orders >>
Standing Orders - Large print >>
1. Preparing to submit a motion
While preparing your motion, make sure you:
✔ Read the official motion guidelines, the policy document, the appropriate sample motions form and the constitution.
✔ Research the issues you are considering motions around to build up your supporting evidence.
✔ Discuss with your branch what motions you want to collectively submit OR if you want to submit as an individual, gather support for your idea(s) among other members. Remember, you will need the support of at least 19 other members for any motion.
Submissions open on 14th August
2. Drafting and submitting your motion
✔ Draft your motion using the appropriate motion form - business motion form or policy, special debate and emergency motion form.
✔ Double check it against the official motions guidelines.
✔ Ask others to proofread your motion.
✔ Attend a motions workshop or the policy building session to understand how to create great motions,
✔ Assign someone as the named proposer on the proposal. If your motion is selected, the named proposer will need to present it to the conference.
✔ Submit your motion by the deadline by emailing it to [email protected]
Submissions deadline has been extended to 9.00am on Monday 18th September
After careful consideration, the motions deadline has been extended following feedback from members to provide some additional time to submit motions. Party business is a vital part of our conference and developing our party policy, and we know this conference was ahead of our usual schedule, so members we not expecting to have the opportunity to prepare and submit motions this year. This will not affect the date of publication of motions.
3. First Review of Motions by Committees
The WE Agenda Committee (WEPAC 2023) will review all the motions submitted. The threshold requirements for a motion are:
-
The supporter and proposer requirements are met;
-
It is clear and concise and precise;
-
Does not exceed word limits;
-
Does not contravene the constitution; and
-
Is directly relevant to WE's seven objectives and/or mission
WEPAC 2023 may refuse motions on the grounds of lack of time for debate, which involves a process of selection. Motions that are more likely to be selected are:
-
genuinely new and interesting (not a repeat of existing policy/business); and/or
-
on a subject where WE don’t have much policy or which hasn’t been debated at conference recently; and/or
-
on a subject of high political salience; and/or
-
likely to lead to an interesting debate, with enthusiastic speakers on both sides.
For more information about how WEPAC 2023 make their decision, please read the motions guidelines.
During this stage:
-
the Committee may suggest changes to a motion to help clarify it, and/or
-
if there are duplicate motions, the Committee will negotiate with the proposers of each duplicated motion, to see whether the motions can be merged.
Following review, motions will be published on the party website and members will be informed.
Motions will be published on 29th September
4. Review of Motions by Party Members
Motions are sent out to members, giving them the opportunity to propose amendments. An amendment changes part of the wording of a motion to introduce a new idea or improve an existing one. If an amendment is passed by conference, the amended motion is the version that will then be debated.
If you would like to submit an amendment to a motion, you should:
✔ Read the amendment guidelines in the official motions guidelines.
✔ Notify the Agenda Committee of your intention to submit an amendment.
✔ Gather support of your branch/caucus OR if you'd like to submit an amendment as an individual, find the support of four other members to back your amendment.
✔ Submit your amendments using the form by the deadline to [email protected]
The deadline to submit amendments is noon on 13th October
5. Emergency Motions
Emergency motions are the same as standard motions, but can be used for issues or circumstances that have arisen after the 13th September deadline for standard motions. If you would like to submit an emergency motion, you should:
✔ Read the emergency motion guidelines in the official motions guidelines.
✔ Notify the agenda committee of your intention to submit an emergency motion.
✔ Gather support of your branch/caucus OR if you’d like to submit as an individual, find the support of 19 other members to back your emergency motion.
✔ Submit using a motions proposal form by the deadline to [email protected]
Emergency motions may also be proposed during party conference at the sole discretion of the Conference Chair.
Deadline for emergency motions is 26th October
6. Review of Amendments to Motions by Committees
Now the Agenda Committee works to manage any revisions to amendments if any further clarity is required and the final versions of motions and amendments are prepared for conference.
Amendments to motions will be published on 26th October
7. Debate of Motions at Party Conference
At conference the motions will be debated and voted on. Find out more about motion debates.
Important points about submitting a motion
-
Motions can be submitted by party branches/caucuses, 20 party members working together, the Steering Committee, the Executive Committee, the Leader and the Policy Representatives.
-
Every motion has to have a named ‘proposer’ and this person will need to speak at the conference to introduce the motion, if the motion is selected
-
Motions have to accord with the party’s constitution and take existing party policy into account.
-
Party members will have the chance to review and submit amendments to motions before the conference.
-
Amendments can be submitted by party branches/caucuses, five party members working together, the Steering Committee, the Executive Committee and the Policy Representatives.
This page offers a summary of the steps to propose a motion. If you decide you want to propose a motion, it’s vital you also read the official motion guidelines.
Women’s Equality Party Conference 2023
Motion Guidance and FAQs
Saturday 4th November - Sunday 5th November
Submissions for motions and amendments are now closed.
Documents you’ll need when submitting a motion:
-
- The full motions guidelines
- Form for policy motions, special debates and emergency motions - Doc and PDF
- Form for business motions - Doc and PDF
- Form for amendments to policy and business motions - Doc and PDF
- Sample policy motion
- Sample business motion
- Sample amendment to a policy motion
- Sample proposal for a special debate
Read the Standing Orders:
Standing Orders >>
Standing Orders - Large print >>
Who is responsible for accepting motions and amendments?
Q: What is a motion?
A motion is a proposal to declare/confirm a party position, or to change/add to party policy or the way the party operates.
Motions selected for the conference are introduced to conference by the motion’s named proposer and debated to the extent allowed under the conference timing.
There are three kinds of motions: policy motions, proposals for special debates and business motions.
-
- A policy motion can reaffirm the policy of the party, amend an existing policy and/or propose a new policy. Policy motions are debated and put to vote at conference. A policy motion voted through becomes WE party policy.
- A business motion is a proposal that concerns the internal work of the party, such as the rules in the constitution and the party structure. Business motions are debated and put to vote at conference. A business motion voted through alters the party structure or operation.
-
A motion for special debate is drafted like a policy motion, but allows time for conference delegates to explore ideas without putting a specific proposal to a vote, and will not become WE party policy.
If passed by conference, the exact wording of a policy or business motion is adopted as party policy or inserted into the constitution.
Q: What is an amendment?
An amendment to a motion proposes changes to the original motion that add to it or change it.
If accepted and scheduled for debate by the Agenda Committee, amendments are debated and voted on by conference before voting on the substantive motion
-
- If the amendment is passed, the amended motion is then debated and voted on; and
- If the amendment does not pass, the original (unamended) motion is debated and voted on.
Amendments to motions can be accepted by the proposers of motions and in that scenario, motions are debated and voted on at conference as amended.
Proposal of an amendment does not guarantee acceptance, and the number of amendments that can be debated is limited by the time available.
Your amendment should be proposed by using the amendment form, which should be filled in, paying attention to the guidelines on the form itself.
Q: How do I compose a motion?
You should compose a motion by completing the appropriate motion form. Anyone planning to submit a motion must read the detailed motions guidelines provided to help you compose it. There are also sessions to help support members to compose motions - look out for details.
Sign up for policy building 101 on 10th August >>
Got questions? Come to a drop in session to troubleshoot anything about the motions process
Tuesday 29th August, 6.00-7.30pm >>
Thursday 31st August, 12.00-2.00pm >>
Q: What is an emergency motion?
Emergency motions are the same as standard motions, but can be used for issues or circumstances that have arisen after the deadline for standard motions.
Emergency motions will only be considered if they relate to a situation that has arisen since the deadline for standard motions, i.e. after 13 September 2023.
Emergency motions have the same threshold requirements as standard motions, and the process of proposal is the same as that for ordinary motions. The only difference is that they cannot be amended.
Q: Who is responsible for accepting motions and amendments?
Proposal of a motion or amendment does not guarantee acceptance, and the number of motions/amendments that can be debated is limited by the time available at conference.
In accordance with the constitution, the Steering Committee has established an Agenda Committee, WEPAC 2023, which is responsible for setting the content of conference agenda.
For more information, please read the motions guidelines in detail.
Other documents you might need:
- The full motions guidelines
- Form for policy motions, special debates and emergency motions - Doc and PDF
- Form for business motions - Doc and PDF
- Form for amendments to policy and business motions - Doc and PDF
- Sample policy motion
- Sample business motion
- Sample amendment to a policy motion
- Sample proposal for a special debate
- Standing Orders >>
- Standing Orders - Large print >>
Have any other questions you'd like answered? Email us at [email protected] and we'll get back to you.