29 January 2004

The beginning of the end for New Labour

The Scottish Labour Left will send out a defiant message this weekend*. The Campaign for Socialism will hear one of its newest recruits, Jimmy Reid, the veteran leader of the UCS work-in, dismiss the findings of the Hutton report as whitewash. Reid will defend the right of Trades Unions to support campaigns hostile to the New Labour leadership and will support those in the Labour Party committed to the demise of the New Labour project.

The AGM will also support moves by unions and Constituency Labour Parties to bring about democratic change in the Scottish Labour Party through a series of constitutional changes at this year's Scottish Labour Party Conference in Inverness.

Speaking on behalf of the CfS Elaine Smith MSP said:

'The Labour Party is nothing if it is not democratic. I believe that there has been a failure of democracy in Scotland and Britain. The majority of British people do not want Top Up fees but they are going to get them, unless there is an overwhelming protest to stop them. Millions of people opposed the war, but we invaded Iraq just the same. It is time for the rank and file members of the Labour Party to assert themselves. We have an opportunity to make the Scottish Labour Party Conference the beginning of the end for New Labour.'

* The AGM of the Campaign for Socialism takes place at the STUC building on Sunday February 1st. Press welcome from 2.30 pm.

Contact Vince Mills on 0781 461 5224
or Elaine Smith MSP on 01236 449 122

 

The Citizen / Campaign for Socialism