Appeal for a broad-based progressive slate for the GLA list

British politics, Political Organisations, Respect

Appeal for a broad-based progressive slate for the GLA list

This is the text of a letter which George Galloway is sending out on behalf of Respect Renewal. It will be in the issue of the paper that is coming out later this week. Politics in London is hotting up as we approach the GLA elections in May. Yet there is a danger that there…

Liam

January 27, 2008

2–3 minutes

This is the text of a letter which George Galloway is sending out on behalf of Respect Renewal. It will be in the issue of the paper that is coming out later this week.

Politics in London is hotting up as we approach the GLA elections in May. Yet there is a danger that there will be no credible list on the progressive left of New Labour. Such an alternative is urgently needed.

The problems are clear enough. London is one of the wealthiest cities in the world, yet it has some of the worst poverty. Brokers in the city get vast bonuses whist millions exist below the poverty official level in sub-standard housing and on low wages.

Labour no longer provides any kind of representation for the trade unions or for oppressed sections of society, or for ethnic minorities. It has swallowed the neoliberal agenda and is imposing a wage freeze on the unions which will cut living standards. Its immigration policy is no different to that of the Tories. Their policies on health and education are little different either.

There is a crisis of representation for trade unionist, ethnic minorities, those in poverty and on low wages, those facing racism and other forms of discrimination, sex or gender. What is needed is a broad-based slate in May which will speak for these sections of society.

In the broadest terms, I believe the slate needs to be based on opposition to privatisation. It needs to be anti-racist, and opposed to discrimination of all kinds. It needs to campaign for publicly owned transport, for decent wages and pensions and for cheap and affordable housing. It needs to defend comprehensive education, the NHS and the environment.

Respect Renewal is making a broad appeal for this kind of slate for the GLA elections (but not for the Mayor). We are appealing to all those in the unions and in campaigns to support such a slate. We have no preconditions as to the name or to its precise platform – all that can be the subject of discussions with those who are prepared to participate in it.
If you are prepared to do so please add your name .

George Galloway MP

13 responses to “Appeal for a broad-based progressive slate for the GLA list”

Jim Jay

January 27, 2008 at 8:10 pm

This is interesting.

I suppose I have a couple of questions – what happens in the unlikely event that SWP/Respect want to be part of that broad left slate?

Also, is the selection process a negotiation or, as you would find in most political organisations, a one member one vote affair.

I guess neighter of these things is yet decided – but it would be interesting to hear what thoughts people have about how they think these issues should be resolved

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Jim Denham

January 27, 2008 at 9:03 pm

All lovers of Stalinism, dictators in general, and genocide, sign up now!

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Strategist

January 28, 2008 at 1:30 am

“it would be interesting to hear what thoughts people have about how they think these issues should be resolved”

Jim – trying to get such a discussion going on Red Pepper at http://forums.redpepper.org.uk/index.php/topic,290.0.html

Yours and Liam’s contributions welcome.

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Strategist

January 28, 2008 at 1:31 am

Jim Jay that is. Jim Denham, your contribution obviously not welcome!

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Liam

January 28, 2008 at 8:05 am

Jim (the sensible one) at the minute the letter is barely in the public domain and details like voting structures, as far as I understand have not been looked at.

Given that negotiations over the divorce are still pending it seems improbable that the SWP will want to come into the new alliance. SR hasd been arguing for this sort of approach to the rest of the left in the old Respect for some time and was politely ignored.

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jim jay

January 28, 2008 at 10:12 am

You’re right of course Liam.

I like the Italian system where people could be on a PRC list (for instance) but are not necessarily in the party even.

However, it’s worth having an idea about how these things can be done in an above board manner. Personally I am a pessimist that this will work – this time – but the better stab that is made of it this time the more likely a successful version will happen in the future.

So best of luck with it.

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martin ohr

January 28, 2008 at 10:26 am

Jim, Liam,

It’s an excellent idea to unite the left in london, perhaps you could call the project London Socialist Alliance, you never know, it could lead to alliance which could simply be called…

Somehow I don’t expect that galloway intends to invite the likes of cpgb, awl, spew, ags onto his progressive list though.

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Dave

January 28, 2008 at 4:59 pm

So it is a Billy No Mates job, then? Nobody with any credibility signed up?

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andy newman

January 28, 2008 at 5:13 pm

It is early days.

the last RR NC voted to ask Galloway and his staff to proceed with negotiations, over a defined period.

obviousy this is short notice, but we are as Jim Jepps outlines hoping to put togather a list where people do not need to be supporters or members of a political party.

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Adamski

January 28, 2008 at 5:16 pm

“the last RR NC voted to ask Galloway and his staff to proceed with negotiations, over a defined period.”

How come RR don’t publish the minutes and reports of their NC (a key demand of ISG/SR in the old RESPECT) and have failed to make public who is on their new 50 person NC?

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tonyc

January 28, 2008 at 6:10 pm

Adam, the SWP’s Respect has stopped publishing its minutes too. I’m sure you’re in the comments boxes of Lenin’s Tomb as we speak, asking him the same question. Yeah?

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Liam

January 29, 2008 at 8:06 am

I’ve removed as many of the comments about a controversial figure in Birmingham as I could find and I’ll delete any further references to him no matter how brilliant the rest of the comment is.

Please have a row about him somewhere else if you feel the need.

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margo

January 29, 2008 at 10:46 am

‘Please have a row about him somewhere else if you feel the need’

The most tiresome thing is witnessing the same thing on more than one blog. It diminishes the individuality of the blogger and takes debate into decreasing circles (For example TonyC chasing Adamski and Martin Ohr from SUN over to here).
I am interested in your forthcoming position on GLA and Mayor, and look forward to a good discussion.

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