The coronation of Gordon Brown
leaves a major question facing John McDonnell and his supporters.
How can millions of ex-Labour voters disillusioned by the Iraq war,
the acceleration of privatisation and the growing gap between the rich
and the rest now have a political voice?
Britain doesn't have a genuine debate any more on domestic or foreign
policy, for millions of people it doesn't seem like we even have three
separate parties in this country anymore. New Labour, the Tories and
Liberal Democrats act more like three wings of the same party, vying
for a middle ground that is essentially defined by being pro-big
business.
So, does the dwindling band of the Labour Left carry on like prisoners
within the New Labour machine - occasionally smuggling notes out
through the bars?
Or do they, like many of us, come to the decision that we have to
start again and build a new, independent party that can gain the trust
and support of millions of people in this country.
Already we have wide support for that discussion, including 45
sponsors on trade union national executive committees.
We urge John and his supporters to draw the necessary political and
organisational conclusions from this week - leave New Labour to the
millionaires and join the socialists fighting for an independent
political voice for the millions of working people.
Cllr Dave Nellist, Chair, Campaign for a New Workers Party (CNWP)
Dave Church, former Labour leader Walsall Council
Roger Bannister, Unison NEC (personal capacity)
Cllr Jackie Grunsell, NHS-SOS Huddersfield
Cllr Ian Page, Socialist Party, Lewisham
And over 2,500 CNWP sponsors
In the same issue of
the Guardian, the following letter was also carried:
Ah
well, saves us having to rejoin what used to be the Labour party.
John & Jane Airs
Liverpool
