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Labour MP reports Yorkshire for ‘paving way’ to sell-off
Alarm sounded over membership application changes that Alex Sobell claims could compromise Yorkshire’s future
The Financial Conduct Authority has been urged to take immediate action over a move by Yorkshire that, it is claimed, could result in the club being sold without the consent of members.
Alex Sobell, the Labour MP for Leeds Central and Headingley, raised the alarm over changes made to applications for membership of the county which no longer automatically confer the right to have a say on Yorkshire’s future.
Those signing up or renewing for 2025 must now “opt in” to vote on matters such as plans announced by chairman Colin Graves last year to take the 162-year-old members club into private ownership.
Yorkshire have since been reassessing those plans after selling their Hundred franchise, Northern Superchargers, to the owners of Indian Premier League side Sunrisers Hyderabad for more than £100 million.
Graves, the former England and Wales Cricket Board chairman who was behind the launch of the Hundred, told Telegraph Sport last month the club had previously been two weeks from going bust, something that had been driving his push for demutualisation.
Despite Graves no longer being wedded to privatisation, Sobell has accused the club of creating a “mechanism to reduce the number of eligible voting members, thereby distorting any potential ballot on a future demutualisation proposal”.
In his letter to the FCA, Sobell, an opponent of demutualisation and a critic of Graves’s return to the club in the wake of the Azeem Rafiq racism scandal, wrote: “I am gravely concerned that these changes may undermine the democratic principles of the club’s governance and pave the way for its privatisation without adhering to proper due process, in contravention of the protections afforded under the Mutuals Act 1995.
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“This amendment appears to be a deliberate mechanism to reduce the number of eligible voting members, thereby distorting any potential ballot on a future demutualisation proposal. Under the club’s current governance rules, any such motion to demutualise and convert YCC into a private company would require a 75% supermajority of votes cast by members. By reducing the pool of voting members through the opt-in requirement, this procedural change creates an undue advantage for proponents of privatisation.
“I am concerned that this governance change may conflict with the principles enshrined in the Mutuals Act 1995, which is designed to safeguard members’ rights and ensure transparency, fairness, and accountability in organisations operating on a mutual basis.
“The Mutuals Act outlines the statutory protections for members and the processes required for significant constitutional changes, including demutualisation. The actions undertaken by Mr Graves and the YCC board raise serious questions about whether these statutory safeguards are being observed.
“Moreover, these developments risk undermining the integrity and reputation of YCC, an iconic sporting institution. The appearance of an intentional effort to curtail member participation and democratic oversight is deeply troubling. Such actions could set a dangerous precedent for the governance of mutual organisations across the country.
“Given the serious implications of these changes, I respectfully urge the FCA to initiate an immediate investigation into the following: Whether the governance changes regarding voting rights comply with the Mutuals Act 1995 and other relevant regulatory requirements. Whether adequate consultation and transparency measures were undertaken before implementing the opt-in mechanism. Whether the actions of the YCC board, including Mr Graves, constitute an attempt to unduly influence or manipulate the outcome of a potential demutualisation ballot.”
Telegraph Sport has been told the FCA plans to respond to Sobell’s letter.
Yorkshire, who have more than 5,000 voting members, declined to comment. But a source said the change Sobell was complaining about had been made because only about 15 per cent of the county’s memberships tended to take part in votes and the club felt an automatic opt-in was unnecessary.
So many memories of Scarboroufh and North Marine Road. Representative domestic cricket at all levels being trashed and in rapid decline. Seen stats showing participation in the sport falling off the cliff. "Chance To Shine" etc useless, if domestic game gone. they then give up the game when grown up. No more talent, but hey Root etc have got their money.
ReplyDeleteFirst-class cricket leaving North Marine Road would be a portent similar to the ravens leaving the Tower of London.
ReplyDeleteThey at least feed the ravens at The Tower to encourage their prolonged existence.
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