Adam Hartman and Terry Conway
The first parliamentary by-election in Brent East on September 18 following the death of Labour MP Paul Daisley in June. Labour had a majority of 13,000 over the Tories.
As the Hutton Inquiry daily throws up more evidence of how the government tried to mislead us over the threat posed by Iraq, and as conditions worsen in Iraq under US and British occupation, the criminal character of Bush and Blair's war becomes ever more apparent. The bye-election in Brent East will be a crucial opportunity to deliver a popular vote of no confidence in the government.
Thousands of Brent East residents took part in demonstrations against the war. Beyond the issue of the war itself, Brent East has some of the highest levels of poverty in the country. Thousands are bearing the brunt of New Labour's attacks on public services, asylum seekers and the environment. The need for an alternative to New Labour has never been greater.
Nominations are not formally open, but already it is clear that there will be a hotly contested campaign.
Brent Socialist Alliance selected local UNISON branch secretary and Chair of the Brent Stop the War campaign Brian Butterworth as its candidate. Brian who has lived, worked and campaigned in Brent for 20 years said:
"I am standing in this election for peace and public services and against war and privatisation. The war on Iraq was for oil and US domination of the Middle East. I want an end to the illegal occupation of Iraq by coaliFor information on how you can help go to www.brentsocialistalliance.org.uk. or contact [email protected] tel.0207 609 2999 * This campaign is costing money -rush donations to Socialist Alliance, FREEPOST LON23006, London N7, payable to Socialist Alliance and marked 'Brent' on the back. tion forces. Blair must go.
This election is also about the disastrous policy of privatisation, the failure to restore the state pension, the scandal of SATs and tuition fees, the state of our transport system and the scapegoating of asylum seekers."
The Alliance has been throughout August with Alliance members across London pitching in to help. Already the possibilities are clear with local firefighters who are not SA members eager to join the fight against Blair.
Anti-war campaigner and NATHFE treasurer, Fawzi Ibrahim is standing as an independent on an anti-war platform. The Socialist Alliance approached Ibrahim to see whether he would be interested in standing on our platform but he was not prepared to do this. Another independent candidate has emerged in the last few days, Labour Party member Harold Immanuel
Brent East Labour Party selected Euro MP Robert Evans as their candidate after Labour against the War stalwart Dorothy Macedo had been excluded from the shortlist by an NEC panel. While Evans voted against the war in the European Parliament, he only signed the anti-war petition after he was selected. and war
antisocial behaviour." and attacks young people. campaigning ...•
But his statements and campaign literature makes no mention of the war or any criticism of the government. Robert Evans said " I will work flat out to achieve high levels of prosperity and jobs in Brent East. I will strive to make sure the extra government investment continues to make a difference to public services in Brent. "And I will back tough new measures to combat crime and
His campaign is clearly being run from the Brian Butterworth top, with Blairite Jim Fitzpatrick installed as campaign manager. The material put out so far focuses on issues of crime and security
The Liberal Democrats seem to think they can push the Tories into third place. They pulled a clever if dishonest trick circulating what appeared to be a questionnaire about the health service with implicit digs at New Labour's record and only made clear on the back page that it was in fact from them. The Tories have selected a black candidate Uma Fernandes but have so far had no profile.
This bye-election is a crucial test for Blair's government
The Socialist Alliance will be straining every sinew to make sure he is given a bloody nose
"I was a