“WE cannot repeat the mistakes of the past” is a phrase so commonplace that it’s become a cliche. But are we really learning from those mistakes, or repeating them?

We are in a unique moment. Not since 1900 has the British left had the opportunity to form a mass party that represents the interests of the working class. Labour is teetering on the edge of oblivion, and when it is consigned to the history books, there is potential to take that place on the actual left of British politics. Enter the new left party, yet to be named, currently called Your Party. This new party has to start as we mean to go on — democratic, open and fair.

That is why we are launching the Democratic Bloc, to give a forum to members to develop ideas for how the new left party should operate, to put together collective plans for internal democracy and to organise the grassroots ready for conference around a shared set of ideas.

We have published a discussion guide to structure these conversations (www.dembloc.com) to give something for people to critique and provide amendments while using it to develop their own ideas.

The Democratic Bloc believes that we have to put the people, the grassroots, the members, in the driving seat. Real democracy means the many shaping outcomes together, not leaving decisions to a handful, chosen by chance. Without mass participation, there is no legitimacy, just exclusion dressed up as fairness.

Sortition was announced this week as a method for selecting delegates for the inaugural conference. It’s a lottery, names in a hat that will be drawn to select who can and can’t participate in the founding conference. It silences the many by handing power to the few, by accident rather than an actual mandate. We cannot leave our future to a few people chosen by luck.

Our demands for the 2025 conference

We want a conference that is open, democratic and fair. Here is what we think should happen:

One member, one vote. Every member must have an equal say in leadership elections, motions and decision-making, ensuring no block votes or backroom deals.

Conference sovereignty. Conference must be the highest decision-making body, with no unelected committee or leadership able to override members’ decisions.

Genuine member participation. All members should be able to submit and amend motions through an open online portal and set the agenda collectively through a priority ballot.

Democratic structures and accountability. Key roles (like regional directors, general secretary and national campaign co-ordinators) should be elected by members for fixed terms, not appointed from above.

Fair membership fees. We must have reduced rates for young, retired and low-income members and funds distributed fairly between national, regional and local levels to strengthen grassroots organising.

Trade union involvement without domination. Unions should have seats on the national political committee, but without block votes, ensuring workers’ voices are heard without overshadowing the membership.

Open candidate selection. MPs, councillors and officials must face democratic reselection, ensuring accountability to members rather than entitlement to office.

All members should be welcome to attend the founding conference, either in person or online. Any delegate structure for conference or participants selected by lottery would lack legitimacy without fully formed local parties.

We need a member-led, democratic party from the start. Anything less is wasting a once-in-a-generation opportunity.

The democratic whip

Our central concern will be how we make sure, regardless of individual MPs and their views, that the collectivity of the party sets the agenda and voting behaviours of its MPs. Labour is a party run by the egos and whims of its parliamentary representatives — we won’t tolerate that system being replicated. The people need representation; we cannot compromise on this.

That is why we have developed a core proposal — the democratic whip. When conference votes on political policy, MPs must obey and implement that position if they get the chance to vote on it in Parliament. Our proposals also empower the national political committee (the equivalent of a national executive committee) to agree to a whip position.

The issues of genocide, of a wealth tax, and of renting reforms are too important to leave to chance.

These proposals will nullify the lobbyists, the gift givers and the back room dealers. It will put the people in power.

Open selection and pluralist primaries

We need to learn the lessons of 2015-19. We were let down by the leadership of our movement, the trade unions and Labourism on the issue of open selection. We had the opportunity to transform the Labour Party, and we let it slip through our fingers.

That’s why we have put forward our position that every MP should face open selection. MPs must be held to account.

But our pluralist primary approach gives other parties, like the Greens, the right to participate. We want to create party alliances with parties serious about challenging the interests of capital.

Dual membership should be permitted, but on a democratic and transparent basis. Members of the new party must also be free to join other progressive organisations, so long as those groups are themselves democratic and accountable.

The national political committee should maintain and review a list of acceptable parties each year, with ratification at conference. By setting clear standards of transparency on finance, governance and conduct, we welcome collaboration while protecting the integrity of our own democratic structures.

When I attended the Durham Miners’ Gala this year, all the talk among activists was the prospect of a new party. The Durham Miners’ Association’s clarion call of “the past we inherit, the future we build” has never been more relevant.

It is time to learn from the past, and the time is well overdue for us to begin building the future. There is no more time to waste. Join the Democratic Bloc today and shape the future.

Head to www.dembloc.com to read the full discussion guide and sign up.

Mish Rahman is a British Bangladeshi Muslim born and bred in the West Midlands. Former national executive member of the Labour Party 2020-24 and vice-chair of the campaign group Momentum, he is a trustee for anti-racism education charity Show Racism the Red Card and an anti-racist activist.