STANDING UP FOR THE GRASSROOTS....

Have just about recovered from a long day yesterday down to London and back for the Compass conference where the lrc/Labour Briefing had a packed fringe meeting. with speakers John McDonnell and economist Graham Turner, who ariculately and impressively argued the left case against the cuts..
Compass, along with the Fabians, LRC and Save The Labour Party organised a massive e-mail campaign to ask the Party leadership to enable all six declared candidates to stand.
In the event, the only reason there were five was because one candidate stood down and there was then the shambolic sight of last-minute horse-trading which had nothing at all to do with Party democracy - and everything to do with face-saving amid the prospect of four fortysomething male candidates with very similar policy ideas.
We are better off with five than four - but it should have been the case that Party members were not effectively vetoed by the PLP. And it must never happen again.
My guess is the rules will indeed be looked at - and that will happen because of the grassroots campaign which made it clear what loyal Labour Party people wanted.
What is rather sad in all this is that only two members of the NEC put pressure on to change the nomination threshold . They were Peter Kenyon and Christine Shawcroft (pictured with me at last year's briefing AGM)
It is my belief that it is the job of all six constituency representatives to act in the interests of ordinary members. Which is why I am standing for the NEC.
Two years ago, my constituency, Calder Valley, did its level best to get that threshold changed at Labour Party Conference. We failed because we were not backed by the big unions. One hopes they have now changed their view. And that the overwhelming call for an end to the stifling of Party democracy which tarnished the Blair years will now be supported by whoever is the new Leader.

COALITION AGAINST THE CUTS - JOIN THE LABOUR PARTY!

I happened to be in Westminster last night as Gordon Brown announced his resignation. It was a last-ditch bid by New Labour to keep the keys to Number 10 but my belief is still that Clegg will sign a deal with the Tories. Whatever game he is playing to suggest otherwise
I sincerely hope so because if Clegg listens to Mandelson, Miliband et al he will not only sign a death warrant for his own Party. It is also the end of Labour's status as a party of the left.
It has been interesting to see that people like John Reid and David Blunkett have rightly been speaking out against a Lib-Lab pact. Rightly, they see that in the long run it will destroy, not save, the Labour Party.
In opposition, Labour can build a resistance to the ne-liberal accord of Cameron and Clegg. It can also act as a beacon to those who have lost faith in us as the voice of democratic socialism.
The LRC is unequivocal about where it stands. Against this dishonourable stitch-up, an end to the horse-trading of New Labour, and a return to the kind of Labour values which will see us re-gain mmebers.
In the past 24 hours, I have had messages from several people who have re-joined Labour.
Let's look to the future - and put the final nail in the coffin of New Labour. Come and join us - now!
http://l-r-c.org.uk/press/the-left-will-not-support-a-cuts-coalition/

TUC BACKS PEOPLE'S CHARTER

Earlier this year the People's Charter was launched by Parliamentarians and trade unions including the RMT and FBU. Good news from the TUC where Congress overwhelmingly voted to back an RMT motion asking for support for the Charter's call for a fairer economy, decent housing and pensions, restoration of trade union rights, and bringing the private utilities into public ownership. More details on the LRC website

CALDER BRANCH LABOUR PARTY.......

Tonight affiliated to the LRC. We regard this as an absolutely fundamental step which will help us re-build and recruit more members. It will also enable us to send out a clear message that our Branch, the largest in the Calder Valley constituency, is not signed up to New Labour policy and that we retain the socialist values which we have stood for ever since we campaigned against Iraq, tuition fees, privatisation, and the other policies which the LRC stands for.I urge other Branch Labour Parties to do the same and our next fund-raiser on Thursday August 6 will give part of the proceeds to the LRC.

LRC HEADS UP MORNING STAR CONFERENCE

On Saturday June 20 the Labour Representation Committee will be providing key speakers at the Morning Star 's annual conference at Congress House. Theme for the day is Surviving Capitalism's Crisis. The day opens with a speech from Jeremy Corbyn and there will be a series of workshops on everything from the state of the NHS to climate change . The LRC's workshop is on the Welfare Reform Bill and there will be lots of opportunity for discussion and debate plus the opportunity to meet activists and trade unionists from across the left. More details here.
http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/index.php/conference

NO SPLIT FOR LABOUR LEFT

Jon Cruddas's latest predictions that the Labour Left is set to leave Labour are way off the mark. I don't know how he has the gall to predict that our masterplan is a new left Party when it has been made clear by the LRC time and again that we do not regard this as a viable or desirable strategy.
In a webcast "conversation" with the IPPR and that great socialist Martin Kettle, he baldly states that John McDonnell and other left MPs are planning to up sticks and that the Convention Of The Left - which he played no part - was a surrogate bid to go in that direction. Which is utter nonsense. So there are two conclusions.
Either Cruddas has been wrongly informed, which is excusable, or he is being deliberately provocative in a bid to badmouth the LRC and misrepresent its policy position.
The COL was NOT, repeat not, an attempt to set up a new party. Had it been so, we would not have got involved. If he had done his research properly, he would know that. Such public statements are reprehensible and , as Vice-Chair of the LRC, I'm absolutely outraged he should make them.
The Labour Left has every right to fight its corner, win or lose, within the Labour Party. That's where we are and where we are staying. To suggest otherwise is either wishful thinking or downright malicious.

CONVENTION OF LEFT HEADS SOUTH

Last night an inquorate Branch meeting. By way of contrast a friend of mine in West London went the other night to a packed meeting in Ealing called by the Convention Of The Left. Around 60 people were there and speakers were John McDonnell MP and Andrew Fisher from LEAP. You can read a detailed account of the evening from Andrew on the blog.
On Saturday, I will be moving a resolution at the LRC Conference urging support for another Convention Of The Left in Brighton 2009. This is NOT to replace Labour Party activity. We must continue to build the LRC as much as we can across the country and I'm committed to devoting as much time to that as I can. But the harsh fact is that the Labour Left within the Party is currently pretty demoralised
Im West Yorkshire, we have been fortunate enough to build an LRC which I hope will contiunue to grow - but it can be utterly soul-destroying being the only leftie in a constituency. By meeting other like minds, not all necessarily in the Labour Party, we can at least discuss issues and plan joint campaigns, without handing in our Party cards. We also pass on the vital message there are still socialists within Labour and even persuade others to join us.
The Manchester COL group meets Monday night at the Friends Meeting House 7pm. And there is a Recall Conference now re-scheduled to Saturday January 24 2009. Post to go up shortly explaining all about that.

SELF IMMOLATION IS NOT THE WAY FORWARD FOR THE LRC

My sympathies still go to the AWL comrades seemingly expelled from the Labour Party without the chance to make their case. My understanding always was that the AWL was a sect, not a Party. However it seems I was wrong. Apparently, AWL is registered as a political Party and that means of course skating on extremely thin ice which could see all its membership being expelled from the Labour Party
I therefore note with some concern ( and I really did NOT want to go here again) that the AWL has a motion - the same tired old motion - to this year's LRC Conference calling for support for non-Labour candidates.
Let's be clear. This hasn't got a cat in hell's of being passed. Why? Because the LRC is not into self-immolation and as we all know support for non-Labour candidates is a GUARANTEE of expulsion. Spontaneous political combustion. To be blunt, you just cannot have it both ways, ie be in the Labour Party and also part of another Party. But what you can do is work with comrades outside towards a common goal of socialism
The West Yorkshire LRC resolution urges support for working with conrades outside Labour but NOT in an electoral way. We hope it will be possible to have another Convention Of The Left in Brighton next year and that the LRC will play a significant role in that .
Unlike AWL, supporters of the Convention ( which is NOT an organisation) are not resolutionisisng about new parties. But what we are doing is working together on campaigns, protests and radicalisation of people through a positive dialogue and events to build bridges between the Labour and non-Labour Left. That dialogue will continue at the Recall Conference in Manchester on November 29. And it breaks no Labour Party rules.
I know and like several comrades in the AWL and would hate to see any of them expelled but by advocating what they are advocating they really are in severe danger of being kicked out of the Labour Party. Because the rules are quite clear. I'm sorry comrades but the vast majority of us in the LRC prefer to stick to them and continue to fight our corner with a Labour Party membership card. In short, guys, your resolution is utter madness. I urge you to withdraw it.

WHAT'S LEFT OF THE PARTY.......

The chances are that I will go to my grave as a Labour Party member. I have lost count of the number of times in the last few years I have defended my ongoing membership and urged people a) not to leave b) to re-join or c) join the LRC.
Unlike many on the Labour Left, I did attend Labour Party Conference ( some of it) but it would be an utter lie to pretend I found it an enjoyable experience. A resolution we had worked hard on to get onto the agenda was effectively killed by our "Real Labour" trade union leaders and the rest was an endless stream of Ministers and hand-picked speakers .
The real debates were over the road at the Convention Of The Left. Knocked by some as a "talking shop" but in terms of comradeship and debate an experience far more gratifying than the insular bubble of Manchester Central.
There are some within our Party who seem to think we should not engage with socialists outside our comfort zone. That it's a waste of time trying to find common ground with progressives who do not share our urge to try and re-claim the Labour Party . That is a position I have no time for and frankly do not understand.
But Let me make one thing absolutely clear.
I do not think a new Left Party is the way forward. I think the LRC still has a valuable role to play carrying on its often thankless work aiming to change the structures, widen democracy and get socialsim back on the Party's agenda. But I also think the LRC CAN do far more than that. #
My union, the NUJ, is not ( and will not) affiliate to Labour or any other Party but it IS part of a new alliance - the Trade Union Co-ordinating Group - led by LRC members which has an invaluable role bringing together radical voices who do not kow-tow, roll over and die at every given opportunity while proclaiming their "Real Labour " roots.
It will also, I hope, give us all the opportunity to campaign on the issues which unite us and support a programme of change to protect people currently facing the prospect of a desperate recession.
The collapse of the New Labour neo-liberal consensus is not a time to turn inward and become sectarian, nor is it time to march out of the Labour Party. But it IS an opportunity to look putward and build what alliances we can to fight together with people disillusioned by the status quo.
The new apetite for radical change is also an opportunity to build the LRC nationally and campaign up and down the country wherever we can.
So, yes, I will be going to the LRC AGM. I will also be going to the Recall Conference called by the Convention Of The Left which will debate the current crisis we face.
And I will still be trying to bring in people locally to the Labour Party though God knows the machinations of the NEC and vicious campaign waged by some of our "comrades" against our PPC makes this a pretty dispiriting business at the moment.
In short, I am not giving in.
In the past year I have spent much time traipsing backwards and forwards to London for National Committee meetings ( four hours each way from Hebden Bridge) .I've convened fringe meetings, helped launch the West Yorkshire LRC and frankly worked bloody hard instead of whingeing about things and doing nothing. I would like to think the contacts I have made and the work I have done in 32 years of Labour Party membership and 20-odd years as an NUJ activists also equip me somewhat for a very difficult task - helping build the LRC into a truly national organisation. And that is why I will be asking for support and standing as Vice-Chair of the LRC.

LABOUR LEFT FIGHT'S BACK

Can I point my readers in the direction of a new blog from Owen Jones who is back in the blogosphere .Owen, along with felow LRC blogger Marsha Jane Thompson was one of the driving forces behind the John4Leader campaign. Welcome back, comrade!

SOUTH YORKSHIRE LRC LAUNCH

It is just under a year since the LRC went national and started to form regional groups across the UK. One of the first was in West Yorkshire. In difficult times politically, we have held it together and met regularlyin Halifax and Hebden Bridge. It would be great to report we now have hundreds of members in and outside the Labour Party. What we have is a base to build on - and a core of supporters loyal to the principles on which the Labour Party was founded.
On Saturday, I wil be speaking at the launch of the South Yorkshire LRC. I think I am billed as Susan West but it's an easy mistake to make...... the meeting is part of the Wortley Hall weekend hosted by the co-op and local MP Michael Clapham will be key speaker. What am I going to say?
First, let's make one thing absolutely clear. I understand there have been recent accusations in my locality that the LRC is a "party within a party" on the lines of Militant. It is not.
The constitution of the LRC is loosely similar to that of the Fabian Society and anyone who does not believe me is welcome to peruse it.
We do not stand candidates against Labour. Those who do stand against Labour cannot join the LRC . Our meetings are open, democratic, with no centralised control.
Policy is decided at the annual AGM .
In times like these, it is understandable that people yearn for "quick fix " solutions to the abyss the Left is looking into. There aren't any.
The hopes we had of "re-claiming " the Party once Blair had gone have not really materialised. Party membership still falls. Trade union leaders let us down.
But the only, serious way we can fight back is from the bottom upwards. Ones and twos, Branch Labour Parties and Constituencies. Talking, also, to comrades who cannot stomach the thought of officially aligning themselves with the Labour Party.
I think they are wrong. I think projects like the "Campaign For A New Workers Party" are utter folly. They only play into the hands of the right. But let us try and have respect for each other's values.
In the shape of the LRC, we have a 1500-strong group which is now the largest on the Labour Left. And, to the right of us, there is Compass.
I have little faith in its leadership. But I do believe there are issues on which we can and must work together with the ordinary members - many of whom are also members of the LRC.
But what is also absolutely crucial is that as many Branch Labour Parties and CLPs afiliate to the LRC to increase our representation at a national level. The South Yorkshire LRC is part of that movement and I look forward to meeting more people on Saturday.

GETTING OUT OF THE ABYSS

There ARE ways in which Labour could avoid catastrophe at the next election. Many are outlined here and here . These are not the policies of what Neal Lawson so charmingly refers to as "the wilderness."
The list below also outlines some of the policies which would get us OUT of the wilderness we are heading for unless Labour changes direction - fast.
If they look familiar, that's because most formed part of John McDonnell's May Manifesto. Which many people signed.
In the light of the latest opinion polls, it needs to be said again. The Labour left does NOT want to see the Tories win at the next election ,But it is only by chaging direction that we stand a cat in hell's of avoiding disaster. As follows

• Nailing the 10p tax mistake by the introduction of a fair tax system removing the low paid from taxation and ensuring the wealthiest and corporations pay their fair share
• An increase in the basic state pension, immediately restoring the link with earnings, lifting people off means tested benefits and providing free care for the elderly
• An immediate start on a large scale council house building programme and assistance for those facing repossession
• Immediate end to programme of local Post Office closures and liberalisation of postal services
• An end to the privatisation of our public services
• A new pay deal for public sector workers to protect their living standards and tackle low pay
• Abolishing tuition fees and restoring maintenance grants for all students
• Scrapping ID cards and abandoning 42 days detention
• Introduction of a Trade Union Freedom Bill and measures to protect temporary and agency workers
• Rejecting the proposals to renew Trident

"HOLLOW VICTORY" FOR GOVERNMENT AS COMPASS CAVE IN ON 42 DAYS

So. Despite the arm-twisting, despite the deals, the Government wins by NINE VOTES. Precisely the number of MPs in the DUP, without whom Brown would have been defeated. Jon Trickett , Jon Cruddas, well done, you delivered the hammer blow to civil liberties you have professed to support
We have yet to see who actually rebelled against this appalling piece of legislation. But let's applaud those 37 MPs Because despite squeaking home on this the PM's "victory" is a shabby and unprincipled disaster for the Labour Party. And for those who parade their left credentials and let us down time after time. Thankfully, I decided weeks ago not to attend this year's COMPASS conference. I feel sorry for those who have wasted their money.

As John McDonnell has just said," Any attempt to present this as some sort of victory for the Government will ring absolutely hollow. There will be widespread consternation among our supporters in the country seeing a Labour Government prepared to use every tactic available in its determination to crush essential civil liberties, which have been won by the labour movement over generations.
"This is no way to run a Government. Securing votes by threats, bribes and personal pleading demeans the role of the Prime Minister. Backbench Labour MPs from all sides of the Party have looked on in disbelief at how the Government has mishandled this issue.
"This is not the end of the battle over 42 days, merely the beginning."

OVER 700 SIGN MAY MANIFESTO

I'm glad to see the names of several comrades in West Yorkshire among the 700 who have signed the May Manifesto launched by John McDonnell but there should be more. If you haven't done so, sign up now!

QUANTUM LEAP.....

The LRC's LEAP - Left Economics Advisory Panel - is furthering the weekend's conference with a new blog outlining the way in which what was a fundamental debate on the future for socialists both in and outside the Labour Party should continue. The link is on the right........ and you can contribute to the debate

KEEP LEFT IN LABOUR

In a couple of weeks' time, Calder Valley begins its selection process for a new MP. It is my hope that LRC member and local councillor Janet Oosthuysen will be selected. She did a fantastic job at the local elections , almost wining a Lib Dem seat for Calderdale MBC. If Janet is seelcted, she faces an awesome task. Our current majority - 1500 - would be swept away if current trends continue. We will need all the commitment we can muster from the Party and its members .A candidate like Janet , from the left, would also get help and suport from those who have deserted Labour in recent years. Why? Because she is a socialist.
What we don't need , frankly, is people giving up on Labour and having illusions in "new parties" which will lead me, Janet and everyone else into the electoral wilderness. I don't think that's what the LRC was set up for.
And however difficult things are, it mustn't be what the LRC is about in the future. As it says on the official website.....
The original Labour Representation Committee was formed in 1900 to fight for political representation for the Labour Movement. In Britain today we face a similar crisis of representation. The LRC has been re-formed to secure a voice for socialists within the Labour Party, the unions, and Parliament.
Never in the history of the Labour Party has the need been so great to make the case for peace and socialism. The advocates of global capitalism and war have taken control of the political agenda. The task for today's LRC is to fight for power within the Labour Party and trade unions and to appeal to the tens of thousands who have turned away from Labour in disillusion and despair. Therefore we are calling upon all socialists, Labour Party and trade union members, constituency Labour parties and union branches to join our campaign and join or affiliate to the LRC.

WHICH SIDE ARE YOU ON?

Just back from chairing first council meeting as official Chair/Mayor and fighting measures to cut funding to our local Arts Festival. Lost the vote. That's democracy. But I hope local people will take on board the fact that those who were on their side were the Labour Party Left.
We will continue to do our best and I acknowledge that we have a huge job of work to do. But , reading the comments on John McDonnell's article today in CiF, can I say that those who sanction us leaving Labour are missing the point utterly. We stay .We fight. And we're not giving in and heading off into political oblivion. Here's the link to why the LRC has exactly the right answers. The answers which will inspire people to support Real Labour -whatever happens tomorrow night in Crewe and Nantwich.

http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/john_mcdonnell/2008/05/beyond_prudence.html

NOT JUST A TALKING SHOP

Shiraz Socialist questions the wisdom of this Saturday's Beyond The Market Economy conference in London. On the basis, and forgive the over-simplification, that no matter how good Labour Left policies may be, we have no chance of implementing them. I must confess this is an argument which I find exceptionally tiresome.

Last Saturday, I did what I swore I would never do again, and got into a huge row with an ex Labour Party member who I have to hand it to because he left in 1987. His line was "how can you support war criminals" to which of course, one says, I don't. I support the 140 MPs who voted agaunst war in Iraq, Blah, blah.We've all had those arguments in the pub on a Saturday night.This weekend's event, to which I will be going, will have a rather higher level of debate.

It is a serious attempt to bring people on the Left together, discuss capitalism and how it's failed us and advance progressive, socialist solutions to the problems which we face.

I will be there just to shut up and listen because , whatever other strengths I may have, I stake no claim to being an economist and I also admit a lot of my politics is tribal. But this is not, as comrade Shiraz suggests, just another talking shop.

Along with the experts from LEAP - the Left Economics Advisory Panel - there will hopefully be trade unionists, students and grassrots campaigners of all ages . Have we given up on the Labour Party? No. Are we working also with those outside it? Yes. We are also getting out there and campaigning. What we are not doing is sitting at home moaning and not doing anything so I urge as many who can get there as possible to do so. And I'm sorry, Ron, for shouting at you.But please don't write us all off yet.....

SOCIALIST SOLUTIONS AT LRC LEFT CONFERENCE

I may be able to turn a phrase or two as a journalist but make no claims to be an economist.

Best leave that to the experts in LEAP - the LRC's Left Economics Advisory Panel - who are holding a conference next Saturday May 24 in London. Theme of the day is "Beyond The Market Economy" and the key speakers are John McDonnell MP and Tony Benn but the point of it all really is to offer people the chance to have their own say and discuss where capitalism has failed us and to talk about socialist solutions to the growing global financial and economic crisis which we face. There will be sessions on housing, 21st century models of social ownership, defending pay pensions and jobs in the global market economy and transforming the financial system. It's at Birkbeck College from 11 am and more details on the LRC

LOOK BACK IN ANGER

Interesting, if eminently annoying, to read Neal Lawson's excoriation of Gordon Brown in today's Independent. Clearly, he is Rip Van Winkle. Because let's face it we bloody told him a year ago this is precisely what would happen. Blair without the charisma. Same policies, same old New Labour voices.
On a human level, I actually feel sorry for Gordon Brown. I think his former allies ie Prescott, Levy, et al are bahaving appallingly and making all kinds of personal accusations which must be deeply hurtful. Cherie Blair is , welll, just nauseating. How greedy can it be to tout details of your sex life in the hope of extra spondoolics?
On a political level, though, Gordon Brown has brought most of this on himself. For an intelligent man, he listens to bad advice. Which is why New Labour is where it is. ie stuffed
But amid the horror I'm not going to listen to siren voices saying that the answer is for groups like the LRC to join up with less principled people on the so-called centre-left in the hope of some spurious, opportunist, alliance.
The LRC is not awash with money.It's growing slowly but steadily. And I have no illusions that hundreds of people are queuing up to re-join Labour. But, just in case anyone hadn't noticed, I've spent a long long time in PR and journalsim.
At the risk of sounding like a horrid spin doctor, the LRC "brand" is principles and integrity. Believe me, in the current climate, that''s a pretty good USP. And we don't need to conpromise or dilute our socialist values to win over many more people.