WeeklyWorker

15.09.2004

Conference motions

Support the CPGB's motion to the Respect conference: for the right to free abortion on demand; open borders; for democracy; a workers' wage for elected representatives; secularism

Weekly Worker 544 Thursday September 16 2004

Respect

Conference motions

Respect will be holding a two-day conference in central London over the weekend of October 30-31. According to the draft constitution, written by Alan Thornett of the International Socialist Group, motions can be put forward by the executive, branches and “not less than 20 paid up members” (www.respectcoalition.com). We are advised that individual members may act as signatories for more than one motion “within reason”. Communist Party members will be arguing for those below, including the motion on secularism drafted by comrade Dave Landau.

If you are a member of Respect and would like to support these motions, contact us on 020 8965 0659 or at respectconf@cpgb.org.uk. If you would like to suggest a motion of your own, but are unable to get it passed at your branch or do not yet have sufficient signatories, the Weekly Worker will try to provide space in our pages. Send proposed motions to respectconf@cpgb.org.uk and weeklyworker@cpgb.org.uk.

Click here to download an A4 leaflet with the CPGB motions. Seek support for them at your Respect branch and/or sign up individuals as supporters.

Abortion

Respect notes the renewed campaign against abortion rights. We will actively oppose all attacks on a women’s right to control her own body. However, simply defending existing legislation is not enough. The law as it stands is inadequate - the final decision to terminate a pregnancy is made by doctors, not by the woman herself. We fight as a matter of principle for free abortion on demand - as early as possible, as late as necessary.

Respect commits itself to actively campaign for the defence and extension of abortion rights. All elected Respect representatives are bound by this policy.

Open borders

Respect recognises migration as a positive phenomenon. Objectively it undermines national differences and prejudices and helps create living links between people in this country and the world working class.

Respect does not limit itself to the calls for ‘non-racist immigration controls’. We are against all immigration controls. Respect stands by the right of people to enter or leave Britain. Capital is free to move about the globe. Human beings must have the same right.

For democracy

There is a gaping democratic deficit in the United Kingdom. Respect will therefore take a campaigning lead in the fight for democracy.

Respect is committed to the following immediate demands:

Worker’s wage

Elected representatives of Respect should take no more than the average wage of a skilled worker, the balance being donated to the movement. Legitimate expenses incurred in the course of political work should be claimed and openly reported and accounted for. Respect shall prominently feature the principle of a workers’ representative taking a worker’s wage in election material.

Secularism

This conference declares that Respect, the unity coalition, is a secular organisation. This means Respect strives for a society in which people of all faiths and none are equal, in which there is a complete separation between religion and the state and any instruments of governance nationally or locally and opposes the coercion by any authority of any person to adhere to a faith or obey the rules of any faith. It means that Respect is open to those of all faiths and none, does not favour and is not beholden to any religion or religious institution.

Conference asserts that this follows from our commitment to equality and socialism, a commitment embedded in our title. As a consequence of this Respect will actively: