Conference
recognises Respect’s key task is to
is to build a
broad-based and inclusive alternative to the parties of privatisation,
war and occupation. This means that we have the responsibility
of ensuring that in the
next general election
there is in every constituency in England and Wales a candidate who
broadly stands on the political platform contained in the Respect’s
Founding Declaration – but as far as is humanly possible only one
candidate. We further recognize that that candidate need not necessarily
in every case be a member of Respect.
The
success of our election strategy should be not be measured by the number
of Respect candidates standing, nor whether or not we are granted a
party political broadcast, but by the degree to which it helps in the
development of a mass democratic socialist party capable of being a
viable alternative to New Labour.
We
recognize that it would be completely unacceptable for Respect to stand
candidates against those sitting Labour MPs who are members of the
Campaign Group and those Labour MPs who voted against Blair’s war in
Iraq. However, we recognize that we have a duty to attempt to work with
all progressive organisations who wish to mount an electoral challenge
to New Labour in particular constituencies. Therefore, this Conference
instructs the National Committee and National Executive to open
discussions with all national organisations who are likely to be
standing candidates, particularly the Socialist Party and the Green
Party in England and Wales First in Wales, with a view to establishing
electoral pacts or agreements on a national basis.
Conference also calls on individual branches to approach all progressive
groups in their areas in order to establish agreements at a local level
that will lead to joint candidates or local ‘non aggression’ pacts if at
all possible.
