THERE was once a clear-cut case for a tripartite college, comprising affiliated trade unions, parliamentary representatives and the party membership, to ensure the broadest spread of opinion in the election of Labour leaders.

The college arose in response to fears that trade unionists’ opinions might be swamped by professional politicians elected to parliamentary bodies and possibly out of touch with the party grassroots.

That is no longer the case, following one member one vote (Omov) changes introduced at British level by former leader Ed Miliband and overwhelmingly backed by all sections of the Labour membership.