Wednesday 16 May 2007

Labour Party Members Sold Out by M.P.'s

Today is a sad day in the history of the Labour Party as M.P.'s close ranks around the consensus candidate for the leadership Gordon Brown. Brown despite ocassional flashes of social democracy is the candidate of new Labour: Who supported Iraq, who developed PFI, Who entered a bidding war to privatise areas of the State even Thatcher didnt touch.

So what does the future hold for Labour and the Labour Link for the Trade Unions? This is the question that is on the minds of many myself included as we watched M.P's on the so called left line up to support Gordon Brown ahead of a candidate with a record of supporting Conference polciies and those of the Trade Unions. Inevitably the Conference season will be used to call for disafiliation (As it has been for the last 10 years and a great deal longer) Those outside of Labour will call upon us to join Respect or the Campaign for a New Workers Party. Those of us on the inside will ignore them!!

So what are the answers? My own instant thoughts are as follows

1) Allow all three parts of the electoral college to nominate: Why should M.P.'s be allowed to veto the wishes of the ordinary member?

2) Continue to campaign agaisnt the exceses of New Labour within the Party and to put forward alternative strategies. Push Brown as far left as we can and ensure that in the event of a defeat for New Labour we are ready with an alternative.

3) Don't walk away!!!!!

4) In the words of Joe Hill "organise" there are thousands of ordinary voters, labour party members and trade unionists who see an alternative vision away from the conservative agenda portrayed by New Labour and their acolytes

5) Get good left wing candidates onto the list for M.P's candidates who supprot and campaign for the policies the majority of members support.