01-07-2015, 01:21 AM
Jim Webster Wrote:Phil
Wow !! I express a personal opinion and I get this...
What I was trying to point out was the number of juniors who actually attended. Not parents who turn up with 2/3 or more votes in their pocket based on family membership - possibly voting on their own opinions rather than those of the children. Did these parents actually turn up and vote for their children using a proxy, having submitted formal proxies from their children in accordance with the constitution of the day? I'm sure the records should be able to show the evidence to support this
Phil Thomas Wrote:There is a suggestion made elsewhere that parents of juniors will be consulted and their views taken to the executive committee. This I find to be unacceptable and totally undemocratic.
I do not understand how consultations, and taking actions based on these consultations, is in anyway undemocratic -- it may well be exactly the opposite.
You find it unacceptable - well you are entitled to your own viewpoint, such is democracy.
Again these comments are personal opinions and are not to be construed in any way, shape or form as an official CWP comment.
Jim,
with reference to the words I have put into bold script.
The Sept 2012 constitution states
Where an Individual member is under the age of sixteen, one parent or guardian of that Individual member is granted an automatic proxy vote on behalf of the Individual member if the member concerned is not voting in his or her own right. Individual members under the age of 12 at the date of any meeting can only vote by automatic proxy.
Assuming these words were in force at the 2009 agm (seems likely to me but I could be wrong) then there was no requirement for the youngster to sign anything for the parent to cast a proxy vote.
I really don't understand how taking a vote away from paid up members and replacing it with a consultation process can be seen as being more democratic.
Think about prime ministers questions in the house of commons. Protocol dictates the the prime minister has to listen to the leader of the opposition. I don't recall this leading to many changes in government policy.
When parents vote after forming their own opinions they generally are voting for the benefit of their child. Thats how parenthood works.