Our history
Computing for Labour (CFL) was founded in 1984 by the General Secretary of the Labour Party as part of the process of Party modernisation.
The aim was to bring together Party members with IT skills and organise them to support and promote the use of information technology within the Party.
In the years that followed the organisation grew from a voluntary working group to a unit with half a dozen full time staff providing system development, training, and support to the Labour Party and its elected representatives.
Some of the notable events in this growth have been:
- The establishment of our first staffed office in the mid 80s, which, as we grew and operations expanded, transferred to Labour Party head office in 1999, where it remains to this day.
- The development of software systems to carry out all of the main jobs of a political party, its candidates and elected representatives. These include the first electoral database (Elpack), a membership processing Package (Memlist) and a casework package for MPs and Councillors (CFL Caseworker).
- The establishment of an ongoing training programme in the late 80s, run jointly with the Communications Workers Union (CWU). This ran for nearly twenty years and introduced a large number of Labour Party and Trade Union members to computers.
- Setting up the first wide area email network in the mid 80s, long before the internet and email came into common usage. This enabled the party to communicate rapidly with is members, constituencies, candidates etc. Over the years, this was adapted, as IT developed encompass to support for online party systems and campaigning.
- The development of a user support structure, starting from a network on local volunteers in the mid 80s, to the full time comprehensive telephone and online helpdesk today.
- An ongoing and developing program of support for Labours elected representatives and their staff including the distribution and maintenance of equipment, training and support and the development and continual updating of the CFL Caseworker suite of programmes, which is used by the majority of Labour MPs, MSPs, AMs and Councillors.
Throughout this period, we have delivered information and advice to all sections of the Labour Party. We held our first exhibition at Labour Party conference in 1984 and have repeated it at every one since then, giving demonstrations, training and practical advice on how the party can make best use of IT. CFL was constituted as a membership organisation within the Labour Party in 1985 and incorporated as a Company Limited by guarantee in 1999.
We are continuing to develop new ways of providing support. CFL continues to expand its capabilities but will always support progressive politics. If you have any questions about CFL please contact us.
What we do
Our main aim is to provide the Labour Party with the technological tools and support necessary to achieve its goals. We achieve this by providing the following services to the Party and its elected representatives:
- The casework management system - CFL Caseworker;
- CFL Caseworker training;
- The development of new software to the benefit of the Labour Party;
- CFL Caseworker support through our dedicated help desk.
As a left-of-centre organisation we can also supply services to NGOs, charities and other left-of-centre organisations with similar aims. Please view our products and services page or contact us for further information.
Funding and the organisation
Computing for Labour is partly funded by the service that we provide. A substantial portion of our funding still comes from membership subscriptions.
Membership of Computing for Labour is open to any member of the Labour Party and costs £25 per year.
The activities of Computing for Labour are directed by a Management Committee elected by members at our AGM. The organisation has four members of staff and operates from the Labour Party on Victoria Street.
Becoming a member is an easy way to support CFL. Click here for further information.
