The National Executive Committee reference article from the English Wikipedia on 24-Apr-2004
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National Executive Committee

The National Executive Committee or NEC is the chief administrative body of the Labour Party (UK). Its composition has changed over the years, and includes representatives of affiliated trade unions, the Parliamentary Labour Party and European Parliamentary Labour Party, Constituency Labour Parties, and socialist societies, as well as ex officio members such as the Party Leader and Deputy Leader and several of their appointees.

During the 1980s, the NEC had a major role in policy-making and was often at the heart of vitriolic disputes over party policy. In the Tony Blair era, the committee's role has declined and its membership has been reformed, but it retains a certain importance in overseeing the party. One of its committees has disciplinary powers including the ability to expel members of the party who have brought it into disrepute or to readmit previously expelled members.

Current Members

List of Chairmen


Elected or appointed through convention, for a term of one year. Chairs NEC meetings, Labour party national conference and any special conferences held during term. Chairman of the Labour party until 2001; Chairman of the NEC after 2001