How to Join the Labour Party

The Labour Party is one of the two larger parties in the United Kingdom. It positions itself as a center-left democratic socialist political party. Although representing working people and the middle class, the party largely supports free market principles. Former Labour prime ministers include Ramsay MacDonald, Clement Attlee, Harold Wilson, James Callaghan, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. As of January 2011, Ed Miliband was the official leader of the party. Joining the party is easy, though you have to pay an annual membership fee of between £0.01 and £41.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Computer with Internet connection

1. Navigate to the official website of the Labour Party by following the link listed in Resources. The application can be completed online. If you wish to mail your application, print out the application form and send it to: 39 Victoria Street, London SW1H 0HA, United Kingdom

2. Indicate your full name and date of birth. Choose your type of membership. There are three types of membership: Labour Students (for students), Young Labour (for people under age 27) and Standard Membership.

3. Choose how much to pay in membership fees. People under 27 or in full-time education need to pay a symbolic £0.01. Unwaged people, pensioners and members of trade unions pay a reduced rate of £20.50 a year, or £1.71 a month. All other members are charged £41 a year, or £3.42 a month.

4. Indicate your country and address, as well as your email and phone number. Also, indicate whether you are male or female, are a member of an ethnic minority group, have a disability or were a member of the Labour Party in the past. If you are a member of a trade union, provide the union's name.

5. Fill out the payment section. You can either pay by debit or credit card or by Direct Debit (for U.K. residents only)

Resources

• Labour Party: Join Labour
• Labour Party: Join Labour (pdf)