The Labour Party and Democratic Left have agreed to set up a policy and research foundation to generate ideas and initiatives for consideration by the left on policy formulation. An interim board of three people appointed by each party and a jointly agreed chairperson will be appointed. The interim board, according to a joint Labour and DL statement, will examine how the foundation should be established, funded and staffed; its links with the parties of the left; how trade unions and others can contribute to it; and what relationship it should have with organisations in Northern Ireland, including the SDLP.
The decision to set up the foundation was approved by the working group from both parties, which is mandated to start exploratory talks on a new political formation on the left.
