14.01.1999

United Socialists edge forward

The last meeting of the united left bloc for the 1999 Euro elections, currently titled the United Socialists, met on January 5. Comrades were present from the Communist Party of Great Britain, Socialist Workers Party, Socialist Party, Alliance for Workers’ Liberty, Independent Labour Network, Socialist Democracy Group, plus observers from Workers Power.

We took a number of decisions that edge the whole process forward and - importantly - began discussions around the thorny issue of London mayoral elections in 2000. All decisions of the bloc so far have been by consensus, reflecting the present tentative stage of unity. A format for voting was agreed - one organisation, one vote - which is yet to be tested.

The meeting agreed:

• A date for a launch press conference and a rally.
• That we should stand under the same name as the ILN initiative, as this will maximise our collective chances of national publicity, including the possibility of a TV broadcast.
• That organisations that have candidates on the final slate will be expected to stump up a percentage of the deposit - £500 per candidate. The question of other running costs for the campaign were raised, but left to subsequent meetings to discuss in more detail.

The question of a unity candidate for the London mayoral elections came up at the end of the evening. As we have reported, comrades in these meetings have expressed some disquiet about the announcement of the SWP that it intends to stand Paul Foot in the event of Ken Livingstone’s candidacy being blocked (see Weekly Worker December 3). This decision appeared to have been foisted on London, effectively pre-empting any open, properly constituted discussion of the political basis for such a united challenge.

In a very welcome move, the SWP representative at the January 5 meeting regretted the arbitrary and sectarian impression that had been created. He emphasised that Paul Foot is being put forward as a possible candidate and that the question should be discussed by other organisations (see ‘Party notes’, p2).

The meeting also agreed a press launch, to be held on January 26, and a launch rally for April 24. The next organising meeting will be on Tuesday January 19 - phone the Socialist Party for details.