17 Jul 2012

Labour members to have more say in leadership contests

9:15 pm on 17 July 2012

The Labour Party has outlined how it plans to give its members a say in future leadership contests.

It's proposing leadership selection be based on an electoral college that would give members a 40% say, caucus 40%, and affiliates that are mainly unions, 20%.

Party leader David Shearer says it means members will be able to have a real say in who will lead the party.

He says they will also be more involved in the formation of policy.

Party president Moira Coatsworth says MPs are supportive of the proposal and recognise the need to modernise the party.

The proposals still have to be approved at the party's annual conference in November.