toralism has nothing to offer here are those who say that elecSocialists other than wasted energy. The experience of the Brent East byelection campaign disproves this. Coming fifth with 36l votes in a field of 16 other candidates enabled us to reach the parts others didn't. More importantly, Blair got his bloody nose on the eve of New Labour's conference.
Whilst we would have hoped for a larger vote in return for all our efforts, there were many barriers in our way. Campaigning against war and privatisation, in defence of asylum seekers and against racism was a worthwhile project. It laid the basis for the future, including the GLA, Council and the European elections.
Like many local Socialist Alliances, Brent experienced ups and downs following the GLA and the last General Election campaigns. We asked whether it was merely an electoral front for others, how to organise in becween elections, how to relate to others on the Lef? These debates were never dearly resolved or fully debated. It appeared many important opportunities were going to be missed
Brian Butterworth
When some of us realised back in the Spring that a by-election would eventually be called in Brent East, we drew up an open letter to all Brent SA members calling for a convention, to discus what type of candidate should stand. We wanted the maximum unity amongst anti-war and anti-privatisation supporters by seeking democratic agreement. If that meant fighting under a new banner with a non-SA candidate, with the SA participating, then we would consider it.
Brent Socialist Alliance then adopted this position and various exploratory discussions took place. The plans for the Convention went ahead at the same time as parallel talks were held with Fawzi Ibrahim and others.
Fawzi had already made clear that he intended to stand as an independent. He claimed he had "no baggage and could win this seat!" He was dismissive of a united front approach but offered us the chance of writing his draft leaflets and working for him. He would not accept the democratic decisions of a Convention of the Left, although he was willing to attend.
Positive approaches to the local Pakistan Workers Centre convinced us they were more than annoyed about the selection of Labour's Robert Evans over Shahid Malik. Although they were sympathetic, they would not officially break from Labour. However, many individuals did in fact vote for Brian.
Brent S.A. was left with no alternative Either we didn't stand or we chose our own candidate at the Convention. It was on this basis that Brian Butterworth was selected as the Alliance candidate. Over 100 people attended the Convention and joined a lively debate on why Brian should stand and the Issues we snould take up.
For two months, we leafleted, canvassed and organised. Regular street stalls were held and in the last three weeks of the campaign we had some very imaginative activities. Our campaign bus drew much interest while an anti-war bus went out making the anti war message loud and clear. High points included an anti-war hustings organised by Brent Stop the War, where Jim Fitzpatrick M.P. spoke in place of Robert Evans.
While some on the left in Brent East Labour Party were proclaiming that Evans was anti-war it was clear from day one that he would not mention the issue. His credentials slipped further when he admitted at another hustings that he even abstained on
second vote in the European Parliament!
Sarah Teather and the Lib Dems did what they are good at, being small tory-type opportunists. The real Tory, Uma Fernandez, had given up before the fight began. Not once did the Lib-Dems call for troops to be withdrawn from Iraq yet they tried to claim they were anti-war. Their leaflets cautiously referred to the Hutton Inquiry but did not put an anti-war position. All three main parties focused on parochial issues such as street cleaning, yobbish behaviour and crime
Our election campaign culminated in a rally attended by 100 local supporters addressed by Paul Foot, Eamonn McCann, Ken Loach and Linda Smith of the FBU. As Ken asked, "What type of Labour Party are those trying to reclaim it attempting to save? That of Callaghan, Wilson or Kinnock?"
So was it worth it? Sectarians will say we told you so. Anti-electoralists will say you can't beat the system!
Well my answer is yes it was. Why? Comrades came together in a way we have not seen in Brent for years. We agreed a strategy, democratically adopted priorities and attempted to implement them. We attracted support from many independents, pensioners, community campaigners, trade unionists, ex-Labour Party members and young people.
But the vote did not reflect the work! Yes true, but remember that many who we are appealing to are not registered, or are disil lusioned and need to be convinced to vote They are the ones Labour let down, the ones our campaign is aimed at. It takes a long time and consistent work to gain their confidence.
As for the left outside of the Alliance., we need to understand how to discuss with them and encourage them to participate in the SA. The Socialist Labour Party still thinks
page 5 of the scan
actually participate in the invasion. Straw's
The smug glee which abounded in Whitehall when Saddam's army collapsed and victory was achieved has been replaced by a stark realisation that the war was a
Now the anti-war movement has to turn its political vindication into a massive push to turn the Iraq occupation crisis into furOF nce October 2003 5
Crisis of Blairism
HOMA