The group comprises the Labour members of parliament as a collective body.
[2] The PLP holds regular meetings behind closed doors to question the Leader and to discuss its concerns.
Now, however, the party operates on a one member, one vote system, where all members are awarded a single vote, as well as affiliated organizations (trade unions and socialist societies) and temporary registered supporters.
They are elected by Labour MPs at the start of each annual session of Parliament.
In 1970, the positions of Leader of the Labour Party and Chair of the PLP were permanently split.