08.07.1999

Approach spurned

Nellist and Oddy

This statement by the West Midlands Socialist Alliance, dated June 28, is a reply to the article by Dave Spencer (‘A nod and a wink’ Weekly Worker June 17)

We would like to correct some of the misinformation which is beginning to circulate as to why Christine Oddy stood as Independent Labour and was not part of our list. The details below are a summary of a ‘fact sheet’ presented and accepted at the first Coventry and Warwickshire Socialist Alliance meeting after the election. The ‘fact sheet’, and appendixes referred to, can be provided on request.

The Socialist Alliance agreed to start considering standing Euro election candidates at a national conference in March 1998. This was firmed up at the launch conference in September, and at the founding conference this March.

Late in September, the media informed us that Christine Oddy had been virtually deselected by being placed seventh on New Labour’s list. As a result, Coventry and Warwickshire Socialist Alliance (CAWSA) agreed to approach Christine and suggest we begin discussions about whether she would like to be considered on our Socialist Alliance list in the West Midlands. Christine informed the CAWSA treasurer that she wanted to remain on the Labour list.

CAWSA had already written to Ken Coates MEP about the Euro elections, mentioning how they had “always enjoyed cordial relations with Christine, and events ‘may influence her to move further in our direction’” (Appendix A). Ken Coates replied that he had warned Christine about the way she would be treated by New Labour, “but actually she didn’t believe me. I have been trying to talk to her … if she were to join the list in the Midlands, I would be absolutely delighted” (Appendix B).

The CAWSA newsletter in October-November contained an article expressing fury on hearing that Christine had been deselected, and announcing that “there would be a meeting, open to all Alliance supporters, on November 28 to discuss standing Midlands Socialist Alliance candidates in the Euro elections”. It should be pointed out that Christine receives the CAWSA newsletter every month.

CAWSA used their monthly newsletters from November until June to report back fully on all the developments as the West Midlands Socialist Alliance was formed, an electoral programme agreed, finance raised, and candidates selected over a three-month period at three separate WMSA meetings. All the WMSA meetings and their agendas were advertised beforehand in the CAWSA newsletter and through WMSA publicity. Minutes of WMSA meetings were regularly given out at the CAWSA monthly supporters meeting. CAWSA members played an active and positive role within the WMSA, and CAWSA meetings enthusiastically endorsed the decisions being made. Positive ideas for fundraising were put forward and possible election candidates were suggested - but Christine Oddy was not one of them.

The CAWSA supporters meeting on May 10, three days before nominations closed, discussed the final election campaign arrangements, and were informed that £9,000 had already been committed to the printers for the agreed election leaflets containing the candidates’ details. The list of eight candidates had now been selected, confirmed at the WMSA meeting late in April. The CAWSA meeting discussed Christine Oddy’s sudden and late announcement three days earlier to stand as Independent Labour. Dave Nellist explained how he had spoken to Christine less than a week ago at a Workers’ Memorial Day event. She intimated that that she knew Labour were about to dump her, swore Dave to secrecy about her intentions and showed no interest in the Socialist Alliance campaign.

Despite the lack of nominating time now available, and in the knowledge that Christine had made her decision to stand as an independent, a resolution was tabled to approach Christine to see if she wanted to be number one on the Socialist Alliance list. The resolution was overwhelmingly defeated with just two votes in favour. The other participants in the WMSA had already made it clear to us that they had been through an exhaustive election process that would be difficult to change at the last moment, and they were unanimous in their desire for Dave Nellist to be number one. Despite this, Dave Nellist made several attempts to contact Christine over the next two days, and secured the returning officer’s agreement that one of our nomination papers could be changed up to 4pm on May 13, but Christine did not return his calls.

After nominations closed, it became apparent that some CAWSA members were supporting Christine Oddy, despite their knowledge of and involvement in the above process. This was disappointing, but we already knew some individual members were voting Green. In the event, Christine’s campaign was based almost solely on her record and the appalling way Labour had treated her, although one of her election leaflets spoke of commemorating “the blitz with the participation of the Queen Mother”, and “the great day visiting Jaguar with the Queen” (Appendix C). In the light of all these developments, the WMSA officers unanimously endorsed the CAWSA sub-committee decision to post their June newsletter without any reference to Christine’s campaign, including the effect it may have had on the Socialist Alliance.

We hope we can all move forward together in building the Socialist Alliance project now the elections are over.

Pete McLaren, John Rothery, Dave Nellist, Dave Church, Dave Griffiths