Policy development cycle

The policy development cycle will now start with policy commissions bringing forward annual work programmes, which will consider issues arising from the implementation of the manifesto, as well as identifying specific topical issues for wider consultation. These work programmes will be made available to all party stakeholders and will provide a focus to engage on these policy issues.

Medium-term policy development is done through the production of policy consultation documents:

First stage (2006) – ‘Big Conversation’ style single document which considers the big challenges that faces the party as it develops policy.

Second stage (2007) – These documents will outline the policy choices emerging from the initial discussion. They will consider either specific policy areas, or where appropriate, cross-cutting themes. The total number of documents and the topics they cover will be decided closer to the time.

Third stage (2008) – The policy documents will be considered for amendment at a ‘Warwick type’ NPF. To enable party stakeholders (including CLPs) to have a say in the final drafting stage of these documents, the ‘final’ draft documents in 2008 will be circulated more widely. Working through their NPF representatives, each party unit will be entitled to submit amendments and have them considered at this ‘Warwick stage’ of the NPF.