George Galloway faced widespread criticism - inside and outside of Respect -when he was unacceptably absent from a vote in Parliament on an amendment to the Terrorism Bill, on November 2, which the Government won by only one
On the National Council of Respect, which met three days later on Saturday 5, there was universal dismay not only that he had missed the vote but he had missed it because he was in Cork at one of his own "one man shows" rather than speaking on behalf of Respect.
Comments in the Guardian by George Galloway to the effect he was bound by contract to the meeting in Cork made the matter worse, particularly since the issue of civil liberties is a defining issue
On Monday 7 Respect issued a statement on the issue which said that: "Respect remains wholly opposed to the government's legislation and while we regret missing the vote last week George Galloway will vote on subsequent important amendments to the bill and will oppose the bill on its final reading.
He has cleared his diary commitsecond to none". ments to ensure that he is available to vote against the bill at its final reading".
The statement finishes by saying. "Respect would like to underline its commitment to the extra-Parliamentary opposition to the anti-terror legislation which is of far greater importance than anything that is being done in the House of Commons. In this crucial arena George Galloway's activities in opposition to the anti-terror legislation remain
It is true that George Galloway's extra-Parliamentary record on these issues are second to none and he deserves full credit for that. But to say that extra-Parliamentary opposition is of far greater importance than activity in Parliament is slightly odd since extraParliamentary opposition is designed to effect events in Parliament.
They are two sides of the same coin.
This statement and expression of regret, however, with the commitment that George Galloway will be in parliament to fight the Bill through its final stages is welcome.
It makes Respects position clear and will help to redress any damage done to Respect by what was clearly a mistake. a familiar refrain which I confess to have been bangIng on about at boring length. But it's still true.
Some of these proposals -like dealing with the press - need money. At the National Conference the financial situation will be made clear. It should give rise to a discussion not only about raising money but about priorities.
The need for a party of the Left remains as great as evel. Let's take the next steps to create it.
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socialist Flags of the Linkspartei - ready to do battle with Merkel Respect Conference special 2005 the SPD in 2002 and almost 400,000 had abstained.
The nine percent for the Linkspartei not only gave the anti-neoliberals a voice: It also prevented a "blackyellow" coalition led by the Christian conservatives.
It that the Linkspartei has the chance to establish itself in the long term as an important political force to the left of the established parties.
On the evening of the general election few believed Schröder when he said: Chancellor Merkel with the Linkspartei/PDS