New Labour is facing a profound crisis. The Hutton inquiry has exposed its lies and deception, which were the basis of the war. In Iraq itself, there is deepening turmoil. Now is the time to step up the struggle to build the Socialist Alliance, not just at the level of electoral interventions but in the localities, linking with local struggles and campaigns, as a really broad-based, democratic and socialist alternative to Opportunities are opening up which can take the Alliance to a new stage of development. Inside the Alliance, however, debates and disputes have arisen which can hamper its growth and which have to be resolved. Fresh opportunities, and new political situations, often generate conflicts and divergent conclusions as sections of the left approach things from their own perspectives and experience. This article by ALAN THORNETT tries to get beyond the yaboo approach of the Weekly Worker to see what is really going on. NEW! Building the Alternative A Socialist Alliance pamphlet, hot off the press ALAN THORNETT sets out the case for workers' unity. £2 plus postage from the Socialist Alliance, Creative House, 82-90 Queensland Rd London N7 or www.socialistalliance.net BUILDING A ALTERNATIVE
The opportunities that have opened movement brought a new generation onto the streets with significant support from the Muslim community. The awkward squad in the unions have been further strengthened. At this year's trade union conferences the issue of the political fund was raised to a new level, with the historic decisions of the RMT to allow for support of candidates other than Labour.
This is the best opportunity for the left and the most important political radicalisaThe Socialist Alliance discussed this at its AGM in May and adopted a resolution calling for a realignment of the left, which could reach out to the radicalised sections of the anti-war movement and create a broader,
It called upon the activists of the Stop the War movement, trade unionists, and socialist organisations not currently in the Alliance, to come together to build such an shaped, it argued, around the European and other elections in June next year and then at
Since then there have been political shifts that have complicated the picture. build a socialist alternative to the left of new Labour, or to reclaim "old Labour" within the Labour Party. This is far from a new debate, of course, but it has emerged
The key here is the awkward squad, where there has always been a range of views. At the Campaign Group conference on July 19, they were present in force and pledged to fight to reclaim the Labour Party.
Seeking to reclaim old Labour in this way takes little account of the continuing harsh realities inside the Labour Party, however, where there has been no significant change in the relationship of forces. If they are prepared to mount a fight against Blair, howev
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The key is taking advantage of the political situation UNISON
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Primary School MORE o September 2003 19 Future of the left debate for much of the English left, and it is important to get it right. The outcome of the National Council was that three resolutions were defeated