Labour Representation Committee

I N the general election Labour is facing the prospect of the lowest turnout in the political history of this country. Traditional Labour supporters, many of whom stuck by the Labour party even through the Thatcher years, are now threatening to stay at home on polling day. The fear is that this angry backlash amongst Labour supporters against the New Labour policies of the Blair government will allow the Tories to slip back into power. How is it that there could be any chance whatsoever of a Tory leader famed for the disastrous policy of the poll tax could stand any chance at all of defeating a sitting Labour government? The answer is that many hundreds of thousands of Labour supporters and even Labour party members have been alienated, disillusioned and de-motivated by New Labour in government. Nowhere is this more evident than among rail workers and seafarers, who have witnessed a New Labour government continuing the Tory policies of privatisation and job cuts. The stark example of the re-privatisation of South Eastern Trains by a New Labour secretary of state has angered both rail workers and all those who recognised the need for a properly integrated and publicly accountable transport system. If Labour is to form the next government on the basis of a large scale popular vote, there needs to be a radical reappraisal of the future directions of any Labour government. What is needed, is not the failed policies of privatisation and fragmentation within the rail industry, but the development of a real Labour policy programme. Last year members of the Labour party, the Socialist Campaign group of MPs and a number of trade unions came together to launch the Labour Representation Committee. The aim of the Labour Representation Committee (LRC) was to stimulate a new debate within the Labour trade union movement on the policies needed by a Labour government to retain the confidence of Labour supporters and thus maintain office in the long term. Labour policy Since its inception nine months ago the LRC has served as a think-tank to the Labour left bringing together policy experts with rank-and-file members of the Labour and trade union movement to examine in detail the policy needed by a real Labour government. The culmination of this work is a booklet summarising the key policies which we believe should be included in Labour’s manifesto for the general election and which should form the work programme for an incoming Labour government in its third time. The LRC’s policy booklet states clearly that it is now time for a real Labour government. After eight years of New Labour in office, Labour supporters increasingly want to see a real Labour government in power. The LRC’s key demands for Labour include G An end to the occupation of Iraq G Basic state pension of £109 per week G Public ownership of rail and postal services and an end to privatisation G Abolition of tuition fees and selection in education G Direct investment in council housing G Defence of civil liberties and the rights of asylum seekers G Restoration of full trade union rights Just as the predecessor of RMT was 22 Vote for a real Labour manifesto The Labour Representation Committee calls for a real Labour manifesto, writes John McDonnell MP RMT news – Labour Representation Committee THE Labour Representation Committee has served as a think-tank to the Labour Left Bridge McFarland S O L I C I T O R S Have you got a problem you need legal help with? As well as offering expertise in a wide range of subjects we have specialists in employment law, personal injury, accidents at sea, diver’s claims and clinical negligence claims Home visits and telephone appointments can be arranged where appropriate 19 South St. Mary's Gate Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire DN31 1JE Tel. 01472 311711 www.bridgemcfarland.co.uk e-mail jrb@bmcf.co.uk 23 the union moving the founding resolution for the Labour Party, today’s RMT played a pivotal role in the establishment of our modern day Labour Representation Committee. Along with members of many other trade unions, RMT members have partic- ipated enthusiastically in the discussion, research and development of the LRC’s policies. This has mobilised the expertise of the very people who will have direct responsibility for implementing these policies at the workplace. That is why our policies are immensely practical and readily implementable. The LRC has now submitted this policy programme to all the members of the national executive committee of the Labour Party. Under the Labour Party constitution for the general election, a manifesto is drafted by a special sub committee of the national executive. Trade union representatives form a sizeable proportion of the sub committee. We are calling upon the trade union NEC members in particular to press for the inclusion of the LRC policy proposals within Labour’s manifesto. On issues like the restoration of public ownership of rail, a policy adopted by the Labour Party conference, it is self evident that this policy should be included in any Labour manifesto. As we know from every opinion poll, public ownership of rail is hugely popular. It is this type of policy which would greatly contribute to mobilising Labour’s supporters to come out on polling day to vote Labour and to motivating trade unionists and Labour Party members to campaign on behalf of the party. It is almost inexplicable why the Leadership of new Labour has turned its back on a policy which is such a vote winner. The task of the LRC is to promote the polices we would wish to see a real Labour government implement and to campaign for their adoption and implementation in a third term. To do this successfully, we need the active support of participation of RMT members and branches. RMT members are eligible to join the LRC and RMT branches are eligible to affiliate. You can do so by contacting 020 7219 1626 or www.l-r-c.org.uk The LRC is a democratic organisation based upon active rank-and-file engagement at every level of its activities. The direction and policies of the LRC are determined at its annual conference by its members in an open democratic debate. We adhere strictly to the traditions of the Labour and trade union movement in that the LRC is a member-led organisation. This year’s conference is to be held on July 16 at the TUC. The conference will focus on a wide ranging policy debate based upon the policy documents prepared over the last year by the various policy discussion groups convened under the auspices of the LRC. The conference will be resolution based with members and affiliates having the right and ability to propose policies and amend policy documents. I urge all RMT branches and members to join the LRC. RMT news – Labour Representation Committee Rail workers and seafarers have witnessed policies of privatisation ‘ ’