The decision by the Labour Party NEC to introduce a cut off point for new members to vote in the leadership election and to introduce a £25 fee for supporters in order to vote discriminates against the poorest, disproportionate black and minority ethnic, women and disabled as well as other groups with protected characteristics. Austerity and cuts have had a disproportionate impact on these groups with cuts to services, facilities and benefits, the amplifying of discrimination in the labour market & the driving down of wages, unequal pay, frozen pay in the public sector, low pay and zero hour contracts and unemployment. There is a multiple impact for those who have more than one protected characteristic. As a result of discrimination in the labour market and the disproportionate, adverse impact of cuts, members and supporters in these groups are more likely to be struggling to make ends meet, juggling between having to pay bills or put food on the table and may be dependent on food banks and in no position to find a spare £25. When joining the Labour Party they may have been eligible for a reduced, student, youth or trade union rate , paying £1 per month will be more manageable on a low income than finding £25 all at once. Some low income households can't even afford that amount of money for a weekly grocery shop. In addition the Labour Party has suspended joining BAME Labour & other such groups which would also have been a more affordable route to becoming eligible to vote. The Labour Party calls itself a democratic socialist party but these rulings fly in the face of democracy & make a mockery of socialism. The Labour Party Manifesto statement on equality says that "we believe in challenging discrimination where ever it exists" and commits to making parliament & public institutions more representative. By barring access to a vote in the leadership election and deliberately introducing a fee which is not affordable to those most discriminated against in society the Labour Party has failed to adhere to its own commitments on equality. Whilst the Labour Party may not be a public body , it has a direct link to Government and therefore should practice what it's elected politicians preach, by having due regard to the Equality Act, working to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations between persons who share a protected characteristic and those who don't. We call upon the NEC to review the decision in order to reverse the adverse, disproportionate impact, lift the ban on some members voting, remove the £25 fee, to be inclusive of all members and supporters and to ensure equality is applied to all aspects of democracy within the Labour Party.