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Homes, Jobs and Peace – Manifesto for a Hung Parliament

“It now looks inevitable that there will be a hung parliament after the general election. Respect will never support a Tory government whose policy of immediate and massive cuts combined with tax breaks for big business and the very wealthy would be a disaster for the economy and most peoples’ lives. “With a real chance…

Liam
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“It now looks inevitable that there will be a hung parliament after the general election. Respect will never support a Tory government whose policy of immediate and massive cuts combined with tax breaks for big business and the very wealthy would be a disaster for the economy and most peoples’ lives.

“With a real chance of winning three MPs; George Galloway, Poplar and Limehouse, Abjol Miah, Bethnal Green and Bow, and myself in Birmingham Hall Green; Respect will have three minimum conditions on which we would consider supporting a government:

  • A massive council house building programme to address the housing scandal across the country
  • The rapid withdrawal of British troops from all illegal and pointless wars
  • The radical democratisation of our constitution with a fair proportional voting system, abolition of the appointed House of Lords and cleaning up parliament – no more second homes fiddles.

This manifesto outlines some of the other policies we will fight for in any negotiations.”

Salma Yaqoob, Leader, Respect Party


Download the Manifesto

6 responses to “Homes, Jobs and Peace – Manifesto for a Hung Parliament”

  1. ID Avatar
    ID

    “Supporting a government” is a seriously flawed perspective, notwithstanding the fact that none of these conditions are likely to be accepted by New Labour anyway. Apart from the fact that New Labour look likely to come third in this election – a much more severe defeat than that of 1983 – and a just reward for ten years of warmongering and arse-licking of big capital.

    Hopefully that, combined with the Lib Dem surge, that is largely predicated on the Lib Dems being percieved as being to the left of New Labour – will be the cue to drive the neo-liberal Blairite/Brownite scum out of the labour movement completely.

    Anyway, for the benefit of those who supported the pro-Compass perspective of Respect, and excused the invitation to Harriet Harman to their conference, here is a reality check as to how such people are viewed by many black activists:

    http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/apr/28/equality-rally-reveals-whiteness-election

    This anti-immigrant scum and enemy of civil liberties was rightly shouted down. Hopefully this is something she and her ilk will experience a lot more of in future.

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  2. David Ellis Avatar
    David Ellis

    Excellent literature and I think Salma and Respect will do very well with it but not just in the election also in the post-election struggles. Peace, Jobs and Homes is a triptych around which the left can rally for a struggle against whatever combination emerges after the election whether it be Con, Con/Lib or Lib/Lab. Lib/Lab would be the best possible outcome now as a labour victory looks all but impossible from here though we must continue to try as the class can’t stand quitters. The labour left and Respect along with possibly Plaid and the SNP should immediately establish itself as the `official’ opposition to a slash and burn centre government as the Tories disintegrate. Peace, Jobs and Homes is radical in the teeth of this economic emergency but not so prescriptive as to be divisive in the formation of oppositional coalitions whether it be to fight a cutting government or the Blairites in an electorally defeated post-election Labour movement. A full discussion can be had internally as to what each part entails and what content to give them whilst a unified front can be presented to the public and the opposition.

    The very, very, very best wishes to Salma, George and Abjol in the election and any other left candidates with a serious campaign and a serious chance. Their success could well be the only bright spot in an otherwise disastrous election night. It will show what can be done and will make Respect a beacon for opposition to the forthcoming assault on the working class, the poor, the old, the sick and minority communities. The same existential questions that have attracted hard-pressed Muslim communities to Respect in the previous period could well attract millions of workers to it in the future if it remains radically anti-imperialist and radically anti-cuts.

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  3. skidmarx Avatar
    skidmarx

    And of course billions from the surrounding galaxies.

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  4. David Ellis Avatar
    David Ellis

    ABUSE DELETED. FUTURE COMMENTS WILL BE HELD FOR MODERATION.

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  5. bill j Avatar
    bill j

    Bizarre what people get exercised about. But I do think the C*** word is beyond.

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  6. Liam Avatar
    Liam

    Beyond and sanctionable.

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