Socialist/Green general election challenge launched
On Saturday 26
February, at the University of London Union, a coalition of socialist
organisations and trade unionists launched a joint campaign against Blair in the
looming general election. The coalition, which will be contesting around 30
seats, will put forward a socialist/green alternative to the right-wing policies
of privatisation, war and environmental destruction offered by both the major
parties and the Liberal Democrats too.
Dave Nellist,
the former Labour MP and now leader of the Socialist Party group on Coventry
city council, explained:
“We are
standing to give voters a chance to elect candidates who will represent the
millions not millionaires. We believe that the New Labour Party of Blair and
Brown has deprived the working class of political representation, and we want to
restore a workers’ voice in politics. We believe MPs should earn the average
wage of a skilled worker and we are standing to give voters a chance to elect
representatives who will not profit personally from election."
A joint policy
declaration has been agreed between the participating organisations, including
the following key issues:
-
A stop to,
and reversal of, privatisation.
-
Immediate
re-nationalisation of the railways.
-
A fully
funded NHS, free to all at the point of need, with an end to privatisation and
cuts.
-
Universal
state pensions linked to the higher of prices and earnings, with its value
restored accordingly.
-
A fully
funded comprehensive education system.
-
The abolition
of all student tuition fees – free, high quality education for all.
-
Troops out of
Iraq. End the occupation. No more wars for oil. Support Iraqi workers in
their struggles to build and defend independent trade unions and working class
political representation.
-
Defend the
right to asylum, and asylum seekers’ rights.
-
Urgent action
to combat global warming and catastrophic worldwide climate change.
February 2005