Statement from Progressive Labour Party Chairperson:
The Supreme Court has delivered its judgment in the proceedings brought by Mr Curtis Dickinson and four other members against the Party. The Party respects the Court and will comply with its orders.
The judgment is not a surprise. On 28 September the Party chose not to contest the central question in the case: that changes to the Party’s membership rules can only be made by the delegates through the amendment procedure in the Constitution, not by resolution of Central Committee. The Party took that position because it believes decisions about who the Party is and how it is governed belong to the Party and its delegates. The Court has confirmed that this is the correct route, and has stated that nothing in its judgment prevents the Party from adopting new membership rules for applications received after 31 August 2026.
The Court also confirmed that the Party is entitled to verify membership applications, that the Party’s Membership Process approved by Central Committee on 13 July 2026 is lawful, and that no member was removed from the Party’s records at any time. The Court set out the grounds on which an application received by 31 August 2026 may be withheld: where the Party cannot confirm that the person named on the form submitted it, or cannot confirm that the person is at least eighteen years of age. Outstanding applications will be processed on that basis.
The Party will serve the list of members required by the Court by 13 November 2026.
The Party is examining the judgment in full with counsel. Any decisions on next steps, including the timetable for the Annual Delegates Conference and the election of Officers, will be made by Central Committee as the Party’s governing body between Conferences, and will be duly communicated to Branches and members.
Members with questions about their membership status should contact Party Headquarters.
