It is perhaps one of the few occasions, as a Labour Party member, when I can vote for socialist candidates in knowledge that there is a more than a fair chance that they will be elected. The continuing success of the leftwing Grassroots alliance, means that the Party machine can never completely expunge the views of the Left of the Party. This year, there is a very strong slate of candidates in the NEC elections for constituency representatives: Ann Black, Ken Livingstone, Kate Osamor, Christine Shawcroft, Darren Williams & Pete Willsman.
Of course to counter this there is a right-wing slate comprised of an uber-Blairite, a right-wing trade unionist and other similar career-minded individuals.
The NEC elections are important in that the rights of members in the constituencies are often steamrollered by the Party machine and it is imperative that we elect representatives who will speak out in defence of internal party democracy.
Without hesitation, I recommend that all Labour Party comrades vote for Black, Livingstone, Osamor, Shawcroft, Williams & Wiilsman,
Good post Ian. I have voted for all (except one) left-wing /grass-roots candidates . This was done so I could vote for Johanna Baxter (Independent) who seems very hard-working and has taken the time to speak to Rochford and Southend East CLP.
ReplyDeleteI would recommend all that want to see left-wing representatives in the National Policy Forum for the Eastern Region to vote for Lorna Trollope, Russell Cartwright and Jenny Holland.
While I don't know their political persuasions, for the Police and Crime Commissioner I would recommend Val Morris-Cook as the only candidate with the experience of public office as a senior councillor in Thurrock.
I have no time for factions, and voted how I normally do - for candidates across a spectrum of slates and views.
ReplyDeleteWhen did the so-called Grassroots alliance actually consult the grassroots?