Extract from the statement
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“The objective conditions which produced Respect, and the space to the left of Labour, remains in full-force, as shown by the Shadwell result. Brown leads a right-wing, anti-working class, neoliberal government, which has continued the Blairite relationship with the employers, and is even more hostile to the unions, as his pay freeze makes clear. … Despite the politics of new Labour, Respect has not fulfilled its potential politically or organisationally. … Respect needs to build itself as a national organisation. This means a stronger national profile and much more attention to building local branches. It needs effective fund-raising. In our view in the longer term the strategic issue is whether Respect should be a political party or a loose coalition. We have argued that the loose coalition model - or “united front of a special kind” or whatever - does not work. We believe that challenging for political power taking on all other political parties and dealing with all the problems that arise needs the structures of a political party: This does not mean that we believe Respect is, or could sensibly be declared to be, a party in any sense at the present time. A process of development is required to make this a possibility. Meanwhile we agree that even as a coalition Respect could be far more effective, proactive and dynamic: we agree with both George and Salma when they underline the need to organise Respect as a coalition in a much more coherent and inclusive way, and to raise its profile. The recent Morning Star article by Rob Griffiths, raising the issue of the need for a new party, is an important development. We have to promote a dialogue with such potential allies and build their confidence in what we are doing. We cannot simply say “here is Respect, it is the best thing around (which is certainly true) and you should join it”. We have to show them that we are a serious, active, inclusive, campaigning organisation. If Respect is to seriously build itself, it has to convince those coming from the labour and trade union left that there is a democratic space within Respect in which they can function. Also - partly as a result of Respect’s failure to promote itself as a convincing alternative that can win support from trade union leaders - the RMT is considering standing candidates in the GLA elections. We should welcome this development - but do everything it can to reach an agreement with the RMT for a joint slate in these elections… …Respect has to have a political life separate from its participating organisations. Its leading members have to be in a position to make building Respect a genuine priority in their political work, and prioritise building a collective, inclusive leadership that sets out to draw together the strengths and the talents of all the currents and independent forces that rally to Respect. In our view that means taking on the character of a political party which can collectivise political experience. …The conference in November needs to build a new and broader unity in the leadership bodies and make the necessary changes which can take the organisation forward and build it as a broad, active, high-profile, campaigning party to the left of New Labour, which in our view should also run an active publicity machine and a high profile campaigning publication. This would present a strong and credible appeal to the left in the trade unions, the demoralised left in the Labour Party and to the Morning Star/CPB. Any other answer threatens to undermine all of the gains that have been made so far, and all of the good work that has been done so far at national and local level to build Respect.” |
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