06.12.2001

Overhyped The following statement was issued by the Socialist Alliance on Monday December 3

Huge success for conference

The Socialist Alliance held a highly successful national conference in London on Saturday December 1, with over 700 members of the alliance attending. The conference adopted a new constitution, giving members of the Socialist Alliance historically unprecedented rights in relation to the determination of policy, the election of officers and the selection of candidates. The constitution also enshrined rights of freedom of expression and dissent within the alliance and to write for, sell and distribute publications.

Liz Davies, former Labour Party national executive committee member, who was elected at the conference to the new Socialist Alliance national executive, said: "I am delighted with the conduct of the conference with the new structure conference overwhelmingly voted to adopt. I am looking forward to working on the new executive to continue the development of the Socialist Alliance as a democratic and effective organisation."

The Socialist Alliance regrets that the Socialist Party has decided for the time being to withdraw support from the alliance and we would welcome their return. The Socialist Party insisted on a veto over all decisions of the alliance and this was unacceptable to the overwhelming majority who went on to elect a new and broad-based national executive.