Loe speaken alte speaker from the SWP (of their 19 members on the NC) attacked George Galloway, in particular, around these issues. The result was a blowup in which George Galloway announced that he would not be a candidate in the upcomune erecuon ano came close to walking out.
Fortunately he did not walk out, and fortunately he has reversed his decision and is putting himself forward in Poplar and Canning Town.
I have been amongst the harshest critics of George Galloway particularly over the issue of accountability.
But the notion that Respect could fight a successful election campaign in a few weeks time (or six months time), or successfully approach other sections of the left and the trade unions in order to expand outwards, after a fractious split with George Galloway, was a dangerous seats. why would an elected post take precedence? Providing they were both responsible to the same elected committees. which could regulate their work there was no need for one to be the line manager of the other. There is nothing in Respect's constitution which requires such hierarchy.
And when the issue was to re-establisn trust ll made no sense to insist on such an arrangement.
George Galloway's proposals were therefore accepted, with the proviso that the apparently vexed issue of the authority/constitutionality of a national organiser alongside the national secretary would put himself forward for one of the East London no avail. The first item on the agenda on the 29th was Respect's approach to the looming general election. It was a good discussion. It is clearly crucial the lett is able to mount a credible challenge to new Labour under Brown in a snap poll. And that means Respect, because no other left grouping has the ability to ripple the surface of the water.
Respect has at least the possibility of winning in three constituencies in such an election. Iwo of these are in East London: Bethnal Green and Bow which currently George Galloway's constituency, and Poplar and (probably fewer than the 25 seats Respect stood in in 2005) so unal support can be given lo the constituencies with the best chance of success whilst mounting a challenge in other selected areas.
The meeting voted unanimously lo urge George Galloway, who had not yet made a decision, to put himself forward for one of the East London seats. He said he would seriously reconsider in light of the decision, and many other such requests he naa naa. A letter was nanaed to him by Jerry Hicks to this effect from Bristol Respect.
The meeting then returned to the issue of the national organiser. The old debate began to re-run but it was difficult to sustain. When I said that I could accept all Lindsey German was proposing other than the last three words she said that she had no problem in deleting them. John Rees
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was now seconded by John Rees who had proposed some amendments to it prior to the meeting.
It was crucial that this went through. The resolution otters a new way forward for Respect both in terms of tasks and priorities and in terms of opening up Respect to the broader movement. In fact if fully implemented it could relaunch Respect on a more open and attractive basis.
Central to the resolution is the need to engage others on the left such as the RMT, the CPB, Bob Wareing and John McDonnell who are currently discussing the issue of labour representation in the light of the rise of Brown.
The resolution urges that: "These discussions to be on the basis of no organisational preconditions far Respect is concerned, with the aim of initiating a process towards a wider regroupment of left forces." This could hardly be more urgent given the escalating debate around this issue.
The resolution DIODUSCS approaching these organisations and individuals with the view to jointly organising a conference with them on the crisis of representation and the forward. This should be neld as soon as practically possible and build on the broadest possible basis.
The resolution also proposes a number of other measures designed to build Respect more effectively, recruit new members and reinvigorate the branches: Sounding the alarm: Galloway's letter echoed concerns
On public profile: "To build a much higher public profile for Respect. To have an effective means of getting our ideas across through broad sheets and leaflets, and an improved, revitalised website and improved media management with a well resourced press officer.
"We agree in principle to produce a newspaper or a magazine. This should be discussed by a working party and brought back to the NC for implementation in the New Year".
To end the 'slate' system of election at Respect conference which has been contentious with individual from the upcoming conference in 2007, and introduce a form of STV, to be agreed.
To introduce a partly delegate-based National Council WITh delegates from the branches - from the 2008 conference
improve communicawwwar.org.uk tions and accountability and overhaul the organisation of the national office.
On electoral policy the resolution stresses the need to ensure that Respect has clear working class politics in the campaign.
"This means that the ethos of Respect as expressed in its acronym Respect, Equality, Socialism, Peace, Environment, Community, Trade Unionism. has to be the framework of its work, its activines and Ils poncies.
"Any left party wanting to make its mark under the current conditions will have to have clear and distinct and radical politics on which to build an election campaign".
It resolves to ensure that Respect plays an integral part in the struggle of the trade unions against the Brown wage freeze and the attack on
rights, and Lace against privatisation and deregulation and to continue to support the activities and campaigns of the StWC both in terms of opposition to the war and the defence of civil liberties and human rights.
It also stresses the need to ensure that:
"Respect gives a high profile to material on the environment and climate change in its election and general material. To become more involved in the climate change campaign and the climate camps and their activities. Support the climate change trade union conference".
This is not only necessary in its own right given the huge urgency of the issue but essential if Respect is going to challenge the greens and attract young people to its campaign.
These proposals do offer a way forward at a time of great potential opportunity. Ultimately, however, it is in the hands of the SWP.
According to the Various reports of the SWP party council the day after the NC "business as usual" was apparently the order of the day. If this was the case, then the signs are not good.
To maximise the impact of Respect in today's conditions, the culture of the organisation has to change and this has to go right down the branches.
The opportunity to build a broad-based left alternative has never been greater - but it the left manages to miss it, it could be a long time before it comes around again. by Alan Thornett and "The objective conditions which produced Respect, and the as his pay freeze makes clear. national profile and much more attention to building local branches. It needs effective fund-raising. argued that the loose coalition model - or "united front of a special kind" or whatever - does not work. We believe that challenging for political power taking on all other political structures of a political party: time. A process of development is required to make this a possibility.
Meanwhile we agree that even as a coalition Respect could be far more effective, proactive and dynamic: we agree with both George and Salma when they underline the need to organise Respect as a coalition in a much more coherent and inclusive way, and to raise its profile.
The recent Morning Star article by Rob Griffiths, raising the issue of the need for a new party, is an important development. We have to you should join it".
We have to show them that we are a serious, active, Extract from the statement John Lister to Respect NC space to the left of Labour, remains in full-force, as shown by the Shadwell result. Brown leads a right-wing, anti-working class, neoliberal government, which has continued the Blairite relationship with the employers, and is even more hostile to the unions,
Despite the politics of new Labour, Respect has not fulfilled its potential politically or organisationally.... Respect needs to build itself as a national organisation. This means a stronger
In our view in the longer term the strategic issue is whether Respect should be a political party or a loose coalition. We have parties and dealing with all the problems that arise needs the
This does not mean that we believe Respect is, or could sensibly be declared to be, a party in any sense at the present
Alan Thornett promote a dialogue with such potential allies and build their confidence in what we are doing. We cannot simply say "here is Respect, it is the best thing around (which is certainly true) and inclusive, campaigning organisation. If Respect is to seriously build itself, it has to convince those coming from the labour and