by LOUISE NOUSRATPOUR in Manchester
Sunday September 21, 2008
Convention of the Left 2008: PROMINENT figures across the British left signed a historic "statement of intent" on Sunday vowing to work together to promote alternative strategies for an environmentally and socially just society.
The document, which was launched at the Convention of the Left, challenged "Labour's programme of warmongering, neoliberal privatisation and failure to tackle environmental destruction."
It admitted that "the left is weak and has been repeatedly forced on the defensive" but pledged to "start defining new ways of working" to co-ordinate a united fight for "peace, social and environmental justice, public ownership, workers' rights, civil liberties and equality."
The statement also resolved to hold a "recall event" in November to build on the work done in Manchester by seeking "agreement to ideas and demands emerging from the convention."
The long list of signatories to the document include socialist film-maker Ken Loach, Labour MP John McDonnell, Communist Party of Britain general secretary Rob Griffiths, Morning Star editor John Haylett, Derek Wall of the Green Party, Respect MP George Galloway, Socialist Worker editor Chris Bambery and Stop the War coalition convener Lindsey German, as well as figures from Permanent Revolution and Socialist Resistance.
The statement called for "the development of local left forums, where appropriate, in order to promote discussions and co-ordinate united action across the left, in an inclusive, participatory, pluralist, tolerant and democratic way."
The aim, it said, was to "encourage participation from below, not top-down platforms" in order to "join together in making policies, putting forward demands and campaigning in practice."
'This is a time to show we have answers'
by LOUISE NOUSRATPOUR in Manchester
Sunday September 21, 2008
The Morning Star
Convention of the Left 2008:THE left launched an alternative conference to new Labour on Saturday in a bid to unite the movement to challenge the government's programme of "wars and privatisation."
A stone's throw from the Labour conference in Manchester, the Convention of the Left brought together a broad range of politicians and activists to plan the "rebirth" of the movement in the face of economic crisis.
Labour MP John McDonnell said that Labour's event was already degenerating into a debate about personalities, with fresh infighting between Blairites and Brownites.
"Large numbers of people who consider themselves socialists have been turned off by new Labour and it is important to regroup," he stressed.
"This is not about a new political party, but I hope it will lead to the rebirth of the left."
Delegates inside Labour's ring of steel called for "discipline and unity" to secure a fourth term in power.
In contrast, the convention stressed the need to offer solutions to people's real concerns.
Veteran socialist Tony Benn said: "This is not a time for sectarian squabbles or talking about what we think of individual ministers. It is a time to show there are answers.
"We must regain our confidence and give people reassurance that the heart of the left is here, thinking about their jobs, homes, public services and peace."
Derek Wall of the Green Party called Prime Minister Gordon Brown a "living political corpse" with no solutions to the economic and environmental crisis.
All the British economy now does "is swap debt and fund capitalism and that is now all going wrong," he stormed.
"The left must come together and put forward a programme of democratising the economy, articulating practical social policies and bring concrete change."
Respect's Clive Searle urged the left to "get its act together quickly, to show that there is a credible alternative to the failed free-market mantras of both Brown and Cameron."
The convention is scheduled to coincide with the Labour conference, beginning on Saturday and ending on Wednesday.
Sunday September 21, 2008
The Morning Star
Convention of the Left 2008:THE left launched an alternative conference to new Labour on Saturday in a bid to unite the movement to challenge the government's programme of "wars and privatisation."
A stone's throw from the Labour conference in Manchester, the Convention of the Left brought together a broad range of politicians and activists to plan the "rebirth" of the movement in the face of economic crisis.
Labour MP John McDonnell said that Labour's event was already degenerating into a debate about personalities, with fresh infighting between Blairites and Brownites.
"Large numbers of people who consider themselves socialists have been turned off by new Labour and it is important to regroup," he stressed.
"This is not about a new political party, but I hope it will lead to the rebirth of the left."
Delegates inside Labour's ring of steel called for "discipline and unity" to secure a fourth term in power.
In contrast, the convention stressed the need to offer solutions to people's real concerns.
Veteran socialist Tony Benn said: "This is not a time for sectarian squabbles or talking about what we think of individual ministers. It is a time to show there are answers.
"We must regain our confidence and give people reassurance that the heart of the left is here, thinking about their jobs, homes, public services and peace."
Derek Wall of the Green Party called Prime Minister Gordon Brown a "living political corpse" with no solutions to the economic and environmental crisis.
All the British economy now does "is swap debt and fund capitalism and that is now all going wrong," he stormed.
"The left must come together and put forward a programme of democratising the economy, articulating practical social policies and bring concrete change."
Respect's Clive Searle urged the left to "get its act together quickly, to show that there is a credible alternative to the failed free-market mantras of both Brown and Cameron."
The convention is scheduled to coincide with the Labour conference, beginning on Saturday and ending on Wednesday.
Women call for struggle to fight inequality
Louise Nousratpour in Westminster
Friday June 6, 2008
The Morning Star
WOMEN'S campaigners warned on Thursday that true equality cannot be achieved without communal and collective struggle against the exploitative nature of a society determined to reinforce class, gender and race divisions.
Delegates at a one-day London conference organised by teaching union NASUWT examined why, 90 years after the first woman MP was elected and 80 years after the franchise was finally extended to all women, only 19 per cent of MPs are female.
The event provided a forum for women decision makers to meet community activists and trade unionists in order to discuss strategies against the scandalously low female representation in Parliament, business and other positions of power.
However, the conference noted that the depressing figures do not reflect the massive involvement of women in grassroots campaigns, trade unions and local politics.
Britain ranks 51st in the world in terms of female parliamentary representation, behind North Korea, Cuba and even Kuwait.
Speakers at the One in Five conference accused authorities of "institutional sexism" in a society where occupational segregation is normal and women are still overburdened with "traditional" roles.
Joella Hazel of the Fawcett Society argued: "The ambition is there, but the structures that exist in society stop women from accessing positions of power as men often do."
London Metropolitan University Professor Mary Davis said that, to understand why we still battle racism and sexism, "we must understand the role of the exploitative society that seeks to reinforce class, gender and race divisions to keep wages down and workers divided.
"Nothing can be achieved without collective struggle in the community and in our trade unions, which can give women a sense of power and belonging," she insisted.
Aston University professor of sociology and UCU union activist Gargi Bhattacharyya agreed, warning: "Measures such as Labour's all-women short list are little more than tricks to get individuals into Parliament.
Ms Bhattcharyya added: "A common presumption is that a woman in power equals positive change, no matter her class or political background.
"But some of the world's most powerful women, Condoleezza Rice, Indira Gandhi, Benazir Bhutto, have been as murderous, violent and corrupt as men in power."
Friday June 6, 2008
The Morning Star
WOMEN'S campaigners warned on Thursday that true equality cannot be achieved without communal and collective struggle against the exploitative nature of a society determined to reinforce class, gender and race divisions.
Delegates at a one-day London conference organised by teaching union NASUWT examined why, 90 years after the first woman MP was elected and 80 years after the franchise was finally extended to all women, only 19 per cent of MPs are female.
The event provided a forum for women decision makers to meet community activists and trade unionists in order to discuss strategies against the scandalously low female representation in Parliament, business and other positions of power.
However, the conference noted that the depressing figures do not reflect the massive involvement of women in grassroots campaigns, trade unions and local politics.
Britain ranks 51st in the world in terms of female parliamentary representation, behind North Korea, Cuba and even Kuwait.
Speakers at the One in Five conference accused authorities of "institutional sexism" in a society where occupational segregation is normal and women are still overburdened with "traditional" roles.
Joella Hazel of the Fawcett Society argued: "The ambition is there, but the structures that exist in society stop women from accessing positions of power as men often do."
London Metropolitan University Professor Mary Davis said that, to understand why we still battle racism and sexism, "we must understand the role of the exploitative society that seeks to reinforce class, gender and race divisions to keep wages down and workers divided.
"Nothing can be achieved without collective struggle in the community and in our trade unions, which can give women a sense of power and belonging," she insisted.
Aston University professor of sociology and UCU union activist Gargi Bhattacharyya agreed, warning: "Measures such as Labour's all-women short list are little more than tricks to get individuals into Parliament.
Ms Bhattcharyya added: "A common presumption is that a woman in power equals positive change, no matter her class or political background.
"But some of the world's most powerful women, Condoleezza Rice, Indira Gandhi, Benazir Bhutto, have been as murderous, violent and corrupt as men in power."
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