"The fact that Respect has won a serious base in some Muslim communities is a tremendous achievement for all ofus. For the first time, a part of the genuine left has sunk deep roots in some of the most disadvantaged communities in the country. In a period where racism is on the rise, and multiculturalism is under attack, the importance of this is hard to overestimate.
We have been much weaker in areas where this combination of factors is not as strong. ...
There are whole swathes of white working class areas that feel abandoned. We need an honest discussion inside these areas, apart from rhetoric. is the key to ensuring strong local candidates and every potential Respect candidate should aim to be a "community leader" if they are serious about trying to win. Part of our role is to be able to bring the respected and rooted local activist (or (community leader') into the wider progressive alliance that we have created, and for us all to be strengthened by this common ground. ... the big political issues and addressing
alternative now. Respect about what we have committed to
consensus. Sustained local community activity
We need to combine in our local work both a commitment to campaigning around
divide it." ways these link to specific local issues that impact on people's day-to-day lives.
We need to work consciously and patiently to consolidate and extend our vote in our existing strongholds. And, where we are weaker, we need to begin to act as if we were already local councillors. The crisis of political representation extends right down to ward level. We have to be willing and able to offer an
... We have an opportunity to show, in practice, that we are a home for those seeking an alternative to the right wing
There are many more people outside Respect, who share many of our principles but who, for a variety of reasons and party loyalties, may not join us at the moment. Our willingness to be open and flexible in co-operating and sharing ideas and experiences is vital for the future of us all.
My vision for Respect is of a coalition which acts to support all those who share a commitment to peace, equality and justice. In building Respect we have to act in a way that strengthens this broad progressive constituency and does not in which they can function. as a convincing alternative that can win support from trade joint slate in these elections...
...Respect has to have a political life separate from its political work, and prioritise building a collective, inclusive pontical party which can conecavise ponical experience New Labour, which in our view should also run an active the Morning Star/CPB. done so far at national and local level to build Respect." trade union left that there is a democratic space within Respect
Also - partly as a result of Respect's failure to promote itself 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 participating organisations. Its leading members have to be in a position to make building Respect a genuine priority in their 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
... 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 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
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