Progress

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Progress is a 'New labour' pressure group founded in 1996. It says it 'aims to promote a radical and progressive politics for the 21st century.'[1] Progress also states that 'we seek to promote open debate and discussion of progressive ideas and policies.'[2] Progress was mainly funded by David Sainsbury until he withdrew funding in 2017.[3]

Purple Book

In April 2011, the Times reported that a group of writers associated with Progress intended to produce a manifesto entitled The Purple Book, in imitation of the Liberal Democrat Orange Book:

The manifesto is a sign that the new Labour wing of the party is starting to reassert itself as Mr Miliband finds his feet. The Purple Book is being organised by Progress, the Blairite pressure group funded by Lord Sainsbury of Turville, the former Science Minister who gives it £250,000 a year (and has not donated any money to Labour since its current leader took over). Increasingly, Progress is balancing the power of the trade unions in the party and it is determined to flex its muscles on policy as vigorously as the barons.[4]

The Progress team

Circa 2017

Progress is chaired by Alison McGovern MP. Progress has an elected strategy board representing Progress members, Labour councillors and parliamentarians.

Directors of Progress Ltd

Richard Angell (executive director of Progress); Jennifer Gerber* (former deputy executive director of Progress and former acting executive director of the organisation); Jon Mendelson* (former treasurer of Progress); Robert Philpot* (former executive director of Progress); and Stephen Twigg MP* (former chair of Progress and current honorary president). *unpaid

The Progress strategy board

The results for the Progress strategy board elections 2016 are as follows:

Parliamentarians’ section

Gloria De Piero MP | Peter Mandelson | Alison McGovern MP | Phil Wilson MP

These were elected unopposed.

Councillors’ section

Theo Blackwell | Paul Brant | Joanne Harding | Rachael Saunders

Members’ section

Christabel Cooper | Sheila Gilmore | Allen Simpson | Mary Wimbury

The full results in the members’ section are available to download here. Turnout: 34.8%

23 and under section

Marian Craig | Samantha Jury-Dada

Co-opted members

On 17 January 2017 the elected member of the Progress strategy board met and invited Susan Hitch, Tom Jennings and Roger Liddle to join the board as co-opted members.[5]

Staff

  • Richard Angell is the director of Progress. He is the founder of Labour’s three seats challenge (#Lab3seats) and has run marginal seat campaigns for the UK Labour party, and its sister party, Australian Labor. He is elected to the TUC’s LGBT committee.
  • Matthew Faulding – Deputy Director
  • Conor Pope – Deputy Editor
  • Laura Griffiths – Events Officer and Editorial Assistant
  • Jerome Neil – Events Officer and Editorial Assistant


Circa 2009

As of November 2009 Progress is chaired by Stephen Twigg. Our vice chairs are Rt Hon Andy Burnham MP, secretary of state for culture, media & sport; Chris Leslie, director, New Local Government Network; Rt Hon Ed Miliband MP, secretary of state for energy & climate change; Baroness Delyth Morgan; and Meg Munn MP. Progress’ honorary president is Alan Milburn, the former secretary of state for health and MP for Darlington.[6]

Circa July 2008

Circa 2006

Compass

In 2008 Progress organised a joint meeting with Compass (Liverpool: Winning a fourth term: what’s the road to victory? A debate about the future of the Labour party 04 July 2008 18:00 to 19:30). Speakers included Rt Hon Andy Burnham MP, Secretary of State for Culture, Media & Sport, Stephen Twigg, Chair of Progress and PPC for Liverpool West Derby, John Harris, the Guardian, Willie Sullivan, Vice Chair of Compass, Louise Ellman MP (chair).[8]

Donations

Progress’ income

In the financial year 2015, our income was £426,408. Full accounts have submitted to Companies House.

This pays for our monthly magazine and website; events such as Progress annual conference, Progress political weekend, our presence at Labour party conference, and our extensive Westminster and regional events programme; and our staff and office costs.

The amount for 2016 will be updated when the accounts have been signed off by the directors and are submitted to Companies House. Progress and the Electoral Commission

Since its passage, we have complied fully with the terms of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act, under which we are classed as a ‘members association’. This is defined by the Electoral Commission as: ‘An organisation that is not a political party but is wholly, or mainly, made up of the members of a political party. Members associations belong to a category of regulated organisations and individuals known as “regulated donees”.’

Other regulated donees you may be familiar with include the Christian Socialist Movement (now Christians on the Left), the Fabian Society, Movement for Change and SERA. You can read more about members associations here.

As a members association we were previously required by the Electoral Commission to declare all donations above £5,000. This was raised by them for all members associations to £7,500 in 2010. In line with Who Funds You? recommendations, Progress will voluntarily declare amounts over £5,000 from 1 October 2012 and publish the amount by the entry of the donor when the money is received.

You can see Progress’ entry at the Electoral Commission here by entering ‘Progress Ltd’ into the basic search.

Following the passing of the Transparency of Lobbying, Non-party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Act 2014, Progress registered with the Electoral Commission as a third-party campaigner for the 2017 election, and before that the 2015 election. Having not exceeded the thresholds in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland for the UK general election 2015, a ‘nil’ return to the commission was submitted.

Under the Political Parties Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (PPERA) as amended by the European Union Referendum Act 2015, Progress registered with the Electoral Commission as a third-party campaigner working towards a ‘Remain’ a member of the European Union outcome. 2017 Sponsors and partners*

  • Unless otherwise stated, all sponsors listed below gave amounts below £5,000; amounts above this amount follow the sponsor’s name. Amounts less than £5,000 are marked with a # and described below because more than £5,000 was received from the same organisation within the same calendar year.

In 2017, we have worked with the following sponsor outside of Labour party conference:

BVCA (£7,200) ICAEW Maitland Donors

In 2017 we have received the following donations above £5,000:

Lord David Sainsbury (£130,000: declared to the Electoral Commission) 2016 Sponsors and partners*

  • Unless otherwise stated, all sponsors listed below gave amounts below £5,000; amounts above this amount follow the sponsor’s name. Amounts less than £5,000 are marked with a # and described below because more than £5,000 was received from the same organisation within the same calendar year.

In 2016, we are working with the following sponsors on events at Labour party conference:

ACCA (£5,400) BVCA (£6,600: declared to the Electoral Commission) EEF (£6,000) IPA (£5,400) IPSE (£6,600) National Citizen Service (£6,600) PSNC (£5,400) Solicitors Regulation Authority (£5,520)

In 2016, we have worked with the following sponsor outside of Labour party conference:

BVCA (£7200: declared to the Electoral Commission) ICAEW Labour movement for Europe Maitland Political O2 PLMR Portland U + I Donors

In 2016 we have received the following donations above £5,000:

Lord David Sainsbury (£260,000: declared to the Electoral Commission) Lord Matthew Oakeshott (£29,000: declared to the Electoral Commission) Lord Peter Mandelson (£5,500) 2015

The year’s turnover was £426,408 and the full accounts are filled with Companies House. Sponsors and partners*

  • Unless otherwise stated, all sponsors listed below gave amounts below £5,000; amounts above this amount follow the sponsor’s name. Amounts less than £5,000 are marked with a # and described below because more than £5,000 was received from the same organisation within the same calendar year.

In 2015, we are working with the following sponsors on events at Labour party conference:

ABI (£3,600#) Alzheimer’s Society (£6,600) British Pregnancy Advisory Service (£6,600) BVCA (£6,600) Hitachi Rail Europe (£5,520) IPA IPSE (£6,600) National Citizen Service (£6,600) Open University (£5,520) TalkTalk Group (£6,600)

In 2015, we have worked with the following sponsor outside of Labour party conference:

ABI (£2,400#) Your Heathrow

In 2015, we worked with the following partners outside of Labour party conference:

LGA Labour group Donors

In 2015 we have received the following donations above £5,000:

Lord David Sainsbury (£260,000: declared to the Electoral Commission) Lord Peter Mandelson (£6,850: kindly provided to support efforts in the UK general election) 2014

Who Funds You awarded Progress an A-rating for the financial year 2014. The year’s turnover was £429,886 and the full accounts are filled with Companies House. Sponsors and partners*

  • Unless otherwise stated, all sponsors listed below gave amounts below £5,000; amounts above this amount follow the sponsor’s name.

In 2014, we worked with the following sponsors on events at Labour party conference:

Childcare Vouchers Providers Association, via Westminster Advisors (£5,520) BVCA (£6,600: declared to the Electoral Commission) IPA (£5,400) The Migration Matters Trust (£6,600) National Citizen Service (£5,280) Smart Energy GB (£6,600)

In 2014, we worked with the following sponsors outside of Labour party conference:

Bellenden Public Affairs BVCA (£7,200: declared to the Electoral Commission) City of London Corporation Guildford Labour party Heathrow Hub, via Maitland Political Lexington Communications Santander The Advertising Association

In 2014, we worked with the following partners at Labour party conference:

4Children

In 2014, we worked with the following partners outside of Labour party conference:

Christians on the Left Community Union Labour friends of Finance and Industry Labour friends of surestart Labour Movement for Europe Labour Uncut LGBT Labour SERA Southern Front The Fabian Society Usdaw Donors

In 2014, we received the following donations above £5,000:

Lord David Sainsbury (£260,000: declared to the Electoral Commission) Peter Mandelson (£5,500) 2013

Who Funds You awarded Progress an A-rating for the financial year 2013. The year’s turnover was £410,800 and the full accounts are filled with Companies House. Sponsors and partners*

  • Unless otherwise stated, all sponsors listed below gave amounts below £5,000; amounts above this amount follow the sponsor’s name.

In 2013, we worked with the following sponsors at Labour party conference:

Advertising Association (£5,400) Childcare Vouchers Providers Association, via Westminster Advisors (£5,400) Community Union BVCA (£4800: declared to the Electoral Commission) Howard League for Penal Reform Institute for Government IPA LGA Labour group Hitachi Rail Europe, via Maitland Shawbrook Bank, via Stand Agency (£6,480)

In 2013, we worked with the following sponsors outside of Labour party conference:

BVCA (£7,200: declared to the Electoral Commission) Association of British Insurers

In 2013, we worked with the following partners at Labour party conference:

4Children

In 2013, we worked with the following partners outside of Labour party conference:

Chinese for Labour Edelman Labour Jewish Movement LabourList Labour party Irish society Labour Students Left Foot Forward Lexington Communications Donors

In 2013, we received the following donations above £5,000:

Lord David Sainsbury (£260,000: declared to the Electoral Commission) Peter Mandelson (£5,500) RLM Finsbury (£6,500)

In May 2013, Progress and Movement for Change reported to the Electoral Commission that, for a period between December 2011 and April 2013 during which we had been receiving donations from Lord Sainsbury, who had not been on the electoral register. A fine was paid for this error. Read the statement here. 2011-2012 (October 2011-December 2012)

Who Funds You awarded Progress an A-rating for the financial year 2011-12. The 15-month financial year turnover was £489,654 and the full accounts are filled with Companies House. It should be noted this was a 15 month trading year. Sponsors and partners*

  • Unless otherwise stated, all sponsors listed below gave amounts below £7,500. Amounts received above £5,000 since 1 October 2012 follow the sponsor’s name.

In 2011-2012, we worked with the following sponsors at Labour party conference:

British Future BVCA (£6,480: declared to the Electoral Commission) Facebook (£5,400) Institute for Government IPA PwC (£5,184) Supporters Direct The Open University Unions21

In 2011-2012, we worked with the following sponsors outside of Labour party conference:

BVCA (£7350: declared to the Electoral Commission) Community Union Guildford Labour party Reading Labour party

In 2011-2012, we worked with the following partners outside of Labour party conference:

Edelman LabourList Left Foot Forward Southern Front Total Politics Donors

In 2011-2012, we received the following donations above £5,000:

Lord David Sainsbury (£325,000: declared to the Electoral Commission | this reflect five quarters in the 2011-2012 financial year) Sovereign Strategy (£12,000)

2010-2011 (October 2010-September 2011)

Who Funds You awarded Progress an A-rating for the financial year 2010-11. The financial year’s turnover was £368,598 and the accounts for a small company are filled with Companies House.

Sponsors and partners*

  • All sponsors listed below gave amounts below £7,500.

In 2010-2011, we worked with the following sponsors at Labour party conference:

Brighton and Hove Labour | City&Guilds Electoral Reform Society | Hackney Labour group Institute for Government (Candidate selection project) | IPA | Labour Friends of Israel | Local Government Association Labour group | PwC | Reading Labour | Sussex Cooperative party | The European Azerbaijan Society | The Open University | unionlearn | Unions21

In 2010-2011, we worked with the following sponsors outside of Labour party conference:

Bell Pottinger Community Union The Cooperative Group

In 2010-2011, we worked with the following partners at Labour party conference:

Compass Fabian Society IPPR

In 2010-2011, we worked with the following partners outside of Labour party conference:

LabourList Left Foot Forward Total Politics Donors

In 2010-2011, we received the following donations above £5,000:

Lord David Sainsbury (£260,000: declared to the Electoral Commission)


In February 2005 Lord Bhattacharyya donated £20,000.00 to Progress.[9]

External Resources

Contact

Website: progress.squareeye.com
Website: www.progressives.org.uk
Website: www.progressonline.org.uk

Notes

  1. Progress About Us, accessed 1 November 2009
  2. Progress About Us, accessed 1 November 2009
  3. Heather Stewart UK's biggest political donor, Lord Sainsbury, to end his contributions Peer to concentrate on charitable causes as Labour thinktank Progress says it will turn to members to make up its shortfall The Guardian, Friday 23 June 2017 06.00 BST
  4. Rachel Sylvester, Purple and orange: united colours of coalition?, The Times, 19 April 2011, archived at Progress.
  5. Progress The Progress strategy board Accessed 6 July 2017.
  6. Progress About Us, accessed 1 November 2009
  7. Progress [http://www.progressonline.org.uk/content//uploads/2013/12/progress-international-green-paper.pdf Social justice, democracy and human rights: shaping a principles-based foreign policy: A green paper from the Progress Policy Group on Progressive Internationalism]. July 2008.
  8. Progress 'Liverpool: Winning a fourth term: what’s the road to victory? A debate about the future of the Labour party held jointly by Progress and Compass' 04 July 2008 18:00 to 19:30, accessed 1 November 2009
  9. Electoral Commission, Donation search, accessed 9 March 2015