Defeat the Programme of New Labour!

Workers' Daily Internet Edition: Article Index :

Defeat the Programme of New Labour!

Blair's Legacy: Iraq, Iraq, Iraq

 Pre-emptive Peace Strike No.4
"Don't Attack Iran"

Coming Events

The issue facing the working class and people in Britain is to defeat the programme of the ruling elite to take Britain further down the path of preparing for fascism and war.

            In this crucial task, the working class cannot hand over the initiative and political rights to any other force, including political parties over which they have no control.

            The virtual news blackout until the last minute regarding John McDonnell’s candidacy with its manifesto of “Another World Is Possible” is evidence that the ruling elite does not want any alternative raised. It is evidence that it wishes to suppress any trace of a call around which the working class and people can rally.

            When the people ten years ago were strengthening their opposition to the neo-liberal programme of the government of the day, the ruling elite were happy to welcome Tony Blair onto the scene to promise the people a “New Britain” through a “Third Way”. An electoral coup was prepared to push retrogression under the signboard of the New.

            Today that programme is so much in crisis that the decision has been made that the working people can be given no opportunity to think and discuss. The next Prime Minister is to appear on the scene with a “coronation”. The “Labour Party uniting behind Gordon Brown” is not a sign of the strength of the Labour Party but of its crisis and of the transformation of political parties into the executive arm of the state on behalf of the owners of capital.

            Whereas Tony Blair came to the electorate with his “Third Way”, Gordon Brown is standing before the Labour Party with his “moral compass”. One can predict that this “moral compass” will become tarnished even more quickly than the “Third Way” was exposed as the programme for fascism and war. It will not provide, nor is its aim to provide, a direction for the working class and people, nor will talk of a “servant government” and the necessity for a written constitution empower the working class, vest sovereignty in the people or guarantee the rights of individuals, collectives or nations within Britain.

            The working class must redouble its efforts to organise for political power in order to ensure that the people are sovereign and can take the decisions which affect the direction of the economy and set the aim for society.

Letter to the Guardian, May 11, 2007

Tony Blair has announced his resignation, but the legacy of his disastrous foreign policy is still with us. In Iraq and Afghanistan we are fighting with no clear objective and no legitimacy. While Tony Blair will now travel the world trading on his reputation as a war leader and earning many millions of pounds, he abandons servicemen and -women to their fate in the wars he started. April saw the largest number of soldiers killed in Iraq in any month since the invasion of March 2003 – 12 died. The people of Iraq want our troops to leave, the people of Britain want the troops home and soldiers themselves have begun to speak out publicly against their misuse. Soldiers from the Staffordshire regiment went public about the real situation in Iraq when they returned last month. Private Paul Barton said: "Basra is lost. They are in control now and the government are just trying to save face." We believe the safety and wellbeing of our soldiers is being fatally compromised by a lack of decent equipment and reasonable medical support both in the field and back at home. We are demanding better treatment for the troops, but we believe more than anything that they need to come home.
Rose Gentle
Reg Keys
Military Families Against the War

Wednesday 16th May 2007 - From 10am
Parliament Square, London
(SOCPA Act 2005 – Authorised Demonstration)
All welcome

Third Wednesday Of Every Month

(Check our website for confirmation of dates and other actions that may be announced)

www.peacestrike.org

Withdraw your labour, book a day off work, or take a break from your usual routine and show the government that you are opposed to any actions or steps that might be taken that threaten the sovereign nation of Iran or any other country.

            We cannot repeat the mistakes that have been made causing the appalling mindless slaughter of the innocent people of Iraq that we have all felt and witnessed in one form or another in the media. We have to get ourselves organised now in order to have any real chance of saving the Iranian people from the same such horrible fate. It is not too late we can and WE WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

            We say NO to any threat or action by either UK/USA/Israel.

“Together we are strong”

What Sorts Of People Make Up A Strike?
We can all be strikers if we care about each other and other people. The Peace Strike has been formed to provide a direct action movement whereby housewives, parents, students, workers, people on benefits, homeless people, people with disabilities, carers, pensioners, families, etc, can join together in solidarity in a common cause for peace, united in action and standing strong together.

            We would also like to hear from individuals, churches, clubs, campaign groups, workers unions, etc, who would like to start a picket and to establish a picket line in their own town or city in solidarity nationwide.

On Strike For Humanity
At first you could book the day off work or ask for a day in lieu. You may prefer to join for part of the day or come for the evening only, depending. You should feel comfortable with the action that you take, come and make new friends and join together to make a stand for peace. And of course, we are not expecting emergency workers to abandon their post.

            Please bring: Placards, banners, food, musical instruments plus anything else you would like or need for the day. Please also be aware there is no shade or shelter in Parliament Square, so you are advised to bring: sun block, a hat and umbrella.

Code Of Conduct
We would like all participating groups to act accordingly to the following code of conduct:

·        To stand united and participate in peaceful non-violent direct action.

·        To be non-confrontational, peaceful and respectful in our attitude and manner. We will act in a courteous and responsible manner at all times.

·        Everyone is welcome to join us in our planned demonstrations and actions and all will be able to contribute equally within the group.

For more information contact:  07818 221473

Gordon Brown will be formally announced as Tony Blair's successor at a special Labour Party leadership conference in Manchester on Sunday, June 24. Stop the War Coalition is organising a demonstration which will call for a change of policy not just a change of leader, in line with the open letter and petition to the next prime minister, which calls for:
* An end to the Iraq War
* No attack on Iran
* British foreign policy which is independent of America.

* * *

In May and June, Gordon Brown will be holding a series of hustings around the country. Stop the War groups are organising lobbies at all of these hustings, demanding that, as the next prime minister, he brings all British troops home from Iraq now, in keeping with the view held by the majority of British people.

The hustings will take place in COVENTRY (20 May), BRISTOL (26 May), BRADFORD (27 May), LEICESTER (30 May), GLASGOW (2 June), NEWCASTLE (3 June), LONDON (6 June), CARDIFF (9 June), OXFORD (10 June), LONDON (16 June).

Contact the Stop the War office for more details if you would like to participate in any of these lobbies.

* * *

London Launch Meeting - Thursday May 24th 7pm
Organised by School Students Against War
Khalili Lecture Theatre, SOAS. Nearest tube, Russell Square.
SEE: http://files.pcadvance.co.uk/ssaw/g8.php
CONTACT: email london@ssaw.org.uk

* * *

Saturday, 9th June 2007, London
END THE ISRAELI OCCUPATION
JUSTICE FOR PALESTINE

International day of action to mark the 40th anniversary of the Six Day War and Israel's military occupation of Palestine

Assemble Lincoln's Inn Fields at 1.30pm
March to Trafalgar Square
DETAILS: www.enoughoccupation.org