COMMUNIQUE OF THE SLPP UK AND IRELAND BRANCH GENERAL MEETING HELD ON SUNDAY 16th NOVEMBER 2008 AT BELLS GARDEN COMMUNITY HALL, 19 BULLER CLOSE, SE15 6UJ The General Body of the SLPP UK and IRELAND Branch met on Sunday 16th November 2008 in response to an invitation by the Executive Committee to discuss and adopt a common position on the Draft National Constitution as directed by the National Secretary-General to all Constituency, District and Diaspora Branches in anticipation of the party’s National Convention. The General Body reaffirmed the Statement issued inter alia by the Executive Committee that the business of this Branch should not be held ransom by any parochial consideration, and as such, wishes to state its unstinting support and recognition of the current Executive Committee as the legally constituted authority to lead and manage the affairs of this Branch as provided for in the Branch Constitution. The General Body accepted the Draft National Constitution and had a detailed and thorough look at said document; In light of the far reaching implications of the content of said document, the General Body resolved to set up a nine- Man Committee to be headed by the Legal Adviser to further study the said Constitution and report their findings and recommendations to the General body within twenty-one days effective from 17th November 2008; In order to expedite and ensure a comprehensive work by the Committee the General Body wishes to encourage ordinary Members of the party to liaise with the Legal Adviser or Secretary-General on any suggestion(s) and/or contributions regarding the content of the Draft National Constitution; The General Body had a critical introspection into recent developments within the Branch party and resolved to fully support the Chairman of the Executive Committee and Members of the Electoral Committee in the case brought against them by Mrs Kadi Johnson-Cole; The General Body condemned the Court action brought by Mrs Kadi Johnson –Cole, and asks that she reconsiders her actions and its full implications on the unity of the Branch, and implores her to reconsider her decision; The General Body resolved that it is open to dialogue with a view to resolving all grievances; The General Body viewed the unilateral and unconstitutional decision on the part of the Financial Secretary/Treasurer to order the freezing of the party’s accounts as an abuse of office and gross insubordination, and further mandated the Secretary-General to inform the Manager of NATWEST Bank; that the General Body views the Bank’s decision to comply with the Financial Secretary/Treasurer’s instruction as illegal, unethical and a breach of contract. The General Body reserves the right to seek Legal recourse with a view to having access to the Branch party’s account; The General Body resolved that despite the difficulties in accessing the party’s accounts at the moment, the management of the Branch’s affairs must go on, and to this extent, resolved to set up a fund raising Committee to identify, organize and mobilize the Membership with a view to embarking on major fund raising events; The General Body, acting in consonance with the decision of 20th July 2008 to embark on a fund raising event for the Radio Unity project authorized the Executive Committee to remit the sum of one thousand twenty pounds Sterling (£1,020.00) to the National party Leadership in Sierra Leone; The General Body notes that the sum of a further two hundred pounds Sterling (£200.00) should have been withdrawn from the Branch account being cheques paid into the Branch account in respect of the Radio Unity project, and that the money should be remitted as soon as there is access to the branch accounts; The General Body resolved that the focus of the party should be directed at promoting its core values, and to continue to expose the failings of our political opponents rather engaging in bitter in-fighting, which will only lead to weakening ourselves and relegate us to perpetual opposition. ONE COUNTRY! ONE PEOPLE! SLPP! STRONGER THAN EVER BEFORE! Signed: Dr. Kenneth Brima Secretary-General 17th November 2008.      Draft SLPP Constitution    Draft SLPP Constitution Memo     Current Constitution SLPP UK & Ireland Branch Elects Electoral Committee On a glorious Sunday afternoon a well attended General meeting of the SLPP UK & Ireland branch convened by Chairman Harold Saffa at the Bell Green Community Centre in Peckham, London SE15 6UJ elected an Electoral Committee to conduct the imminent election of a new Executive. Members of the committee include Ms Fataba Pauline Panda, Mr Stephen Swaray, Mr Claude Gray, Mr Mohamed S. Feika and Mr John Sorbah-Green.  The committee will now appoint a Chair and proceed to setting a timetable for the conduct of elections. The meeting which was well attended by over 100 members including a mix of old and new voted to waive a three months probationary period for new members to exercise their franchise. Also attending the meeting where the SLPP MP for Bo West Emma Kowa and Veteran SLPP Elder Dr Sama Banya (Puawui). Dr Banya addressed the meeting reflecting on the just concluded local government elections and made a special appeal for financial contributions to support  the SLPP Radio Unity. The meeting agreed to establish a committee to organise a fundraising event and to launch an appeal for Radio Unity MP Emma Kowa in contributing appealed to the branch for support not only of the parliamentary work of all SLPP MPs but also in serving their constituencies.  She reiterated that though in opposition members where working conscientiously to rein in any excess of the APC. Chairman Saffa thanked the visitors for the contributions and members for orderly manner in which business was conducted. Chairman Saffa remains in office.