6 May 2006

Time for the Prime Minister to go

The Scottish Campaign for Socialism today called for Tony Blair to step down as Prime Minister and Leader of the Labour Party. The lead grouping of the Labour left in Scotland said that the local government elections in England showed that voters no longer trusted Tony Blair and that they wanted an end to the Blairite and New Labour agendas, and instead wanted a Labour Party that reflected core Labour values.

CfS Convenor Elaine Smith MSP stated "The New Labour Project is well past its sell by date
as recent election results have shown. Tony Blair has indicated his intention to abdicate and this should happen now. However, we need a leadership election not a coronation. The Labour Party can then address the democratic deficit caused by New Labour over the years, allowing the party to re-invigorate and revive traditional Labour values and principles."

To lose over three hundred council seats and to come third in the popular vote behind both the Tories and the Liberal Democrats sends out a clear message from the voters that now is the time for Blair to go. Following on from disastrous results in the Dunfermline and Moray by-elections it is absolutely clear that traditional Labour voters will no longer vote Labour while Blair remains as Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister has always expressed his desire to leave a legacy from his years as Prime Minister, unless he stands down within the next six months that legacy will almost certainly be to condemn the Labour Party to defeat in the Scottish Parliamentary elections of 2007.

Gordon McKay
Secretary
Scottish Campaign for Socialism
Tel 07808067988

The Citizen / Campaign for Socialism