Greater Manchester Your Party Branches
Meeting date 18 October 2025
Location:
- Black Sheep Coffee, Unit 1, Gateway House, Piccadilly Station, Station Approach, Manchester M1 2GH Attendees:
- Stockport Socialists For Your Party (2 attendees), Manchester Central Your Party Branch (2 attendees), Chorlton Your Party Branch (2 attendees), Withington Your Party Branch (1 branch), Stretford/Urmston Your Party Branch (1 attendee), Old Trafford Your Party Branch (1 attendee)
Discussions • The purpose of the group was discussed. Although in the original minutes for the meeting the group was seen as something more solidified and as a delegate structure, those present at the meeting argued that it was too soon for us to develop a structure of that kind, and for the time-being we should remain a network and make a mission statement to argue for the necessity of the group and to explain its actions, which will of course be subject to change. • It was also discussed about equalising between branches, ensuring that they are well-equipped for the journey ahead, given that with the documents now being released, there will be a percentage threshold of members required for incorporating a branch of Your Party. In order to ensure that the grassroots is best placed to pass these requirements, each branch and its capabilities should be developed (organising, meeting, organisational structure, social media, trade union and social movement outreach, etc) • The Stockport Model Branch motion was discussed as a way in which existing branches can follow the example of SSFYP. Central Branch discussed that they are currently in the process of electing their Steering Committee and that their structure will be similar to the SSFYP structure. • Central Branch also discussed that they were able to book student facilities for larger meetings for political purposes and would be a good option for venues if meetings are required. • The regional assembly booking was also discussed and the latest updates were given. Namely that the venues are still being sought, and that Stretford/Urmston Your Party Branch had found a venue which may be suitable that would be passed on to SSFYP and then passed onto Sean Halsall once a final price has been agreed. • It was raised that some branches are currently being founded and that a formal structure between branches is not ready due to the branches not being well-formed, and that the central task should be to funnel people into Your Party, passing on their details and getting them registered. This was generally rejected by the remainder of the branches who felt that this would generally exclude the necessity for any grassroots branch activity whatsoever. • A mission statement was discussed and agreed as a way of outlining to other branches that we do not see ourselves as some group “above” other branches, but rather a grouping of branches coming together with skills to overcome common problems between all of us. For this reason the idea of changing the name to incorporate the term “Network” seemed more appropriate to make clear that we were not interested in any form of control, as opposed to other top-down efforts which have been created. • Social media, banners, and political materials were also discussed. It was raised that SSFYP already have some templates which exist for their materials as well as having logos and that SSFYP can help in that regard for other branches. It was agreed that all branches should be advised when the mission statement becomes available, that this resource is available to all of them for general purposes of creating materials cheaply, efficiently and to a high quality. • The necessity for a welcome/introduction group was discussed so that those who enter are aware of where they need to go when joining. It was raised that his is generally the ebb and flow of any membership system. It was raised that as branches develop the base of the branches will become broader, and as a result, the need for inclusion would become more pronounced. • The founding documents of Your Party were also discussed, and it was agreed that a publicly-available group in which people can discuss the documents from various perspectives. It was raised that not everyone will want to discuss documents and therefore the discussions should be excluded, however it was generally agreed that people will want to discuss the documents but this should be provided in a separate group where, if people wanted to join, they could. Actions 1. The group will be hereby referred to as GM Your Party Branches Network 2. The group will create a mission statement outlining its purpose and stated goals. An initial draft of this will be created by Stockport Socialists For Your Party. 3. A social media presence is required for GM Your Party Branches Network, which will be set up by Greater Manchester Central Your Party Branch and a LinkTree account/page will be created with links to each branch. 4. A group the GM Your Party Branches Network WhatsApp will be created for created for creation and development of political materials of all kinds, for sharing best practices and talent among branches to help each branch develop materials quickly and of high quality. 5. A group within the GM Your Party Branches Network WhatsApp will be created for discussing the founding documents for Your Party, and people from all branches should be encouraged to join and participate in discussions around these documents. 6. The mission statement, name change, leaflet materials and social media will be launched at the same time. 7. The GM Your Party Branches Network will coordinate and discuss with other groupings, primarily with the Lancashire grouping which has formed, as well as other efforts for grassroots action within YP.