CHALLENGING FOR LABOUR

RMTnews :: july/august 2006 :: www.rmt.org.uk 14 It is becoming increasingly apparent that Tony Blair will announce his resignation as Leader of the Labour Party over the next 12 -18 months. Some have argued that instead of an open democratic election for the leader of the party, there should be a smooth transition or virtual coronation of his successor. This would deny party members the opportunity of openly debating the issues facing our party and the future direction of the country. An election for the Leader of the party will allow for a democratic debate on the future of Labour. Therefore, following increasing demands from various sections of the movement, I have decided to declare myself as a candidate for the leadership of the Labour Party as soon as the present incumbent retires. To be clear, this is not a so-called “stalking horse” candidature but a serious challenge for the leadership of the party when a vacancy occurs. Democracy I am standing to ensure that thousands of Labour Party members and supporters have the chance to participate in deciding not only who should be the next leader of our party but more importantly what policies the party should be pursuing. There are many that feel the party has lost its way. Many of the policies being pursued in Government have broken up the broad coalition of support Labour has relied upon throughout its history to bring it to power. New Labour has systematically alienated section after section of our supporters – teachers, health workers, students, pensioners, public service workers, trade unionists and people committed to the environment, civil liberties and peace. Spin and allegations of sleaze are causing decent people to lose trust in our party. This is reflected in lost votes, lost elections, lost members and a Labour Prime Minister having to rely upon Conservative votes in Parliament to force through legislation. There are growing calls from across the party for change. We need to rebuild a progressive consensus, inspiring and giving people hope that another world is possible. We need those who have turned away from Labour to come back home. For the first time in decades people no longer feel they have a political voice. This campaign is a challenge to the present political consensus. From September, this campaign will be travelling the country, convening meetings face to face with party members, supporters and the general public to discuss the issues facing us. We will be urging those thousands of Labour Party members who have left the party to rejoin and those who are no longer active supporters to re- engage. A campaign web-site has also been launched and we will use every possible means of communication and new technology to stimulate this debate and get our message across. The campaign will be waged in an open, comradely and friendly manner based upon a debate on the policies not personalities. E-Mail: info@john4leader.org.uk Web Site and Blog: www.john4leader.org.uk RMT has called for an end to the ‘public- private partnership’ that is failing to deliver promised improvements to the capital’s Tube network. The union also demanded that Transport for London drop its ‘madcap’ plan to privatise the extended East London Line when it re- opens in 2009. The call came after as London Underground’s third report on the PPP says the private sector has “unacceptably failed” to deliver on key targets. It said that Tubelines and Metronet, which between them sucked £84 million out of the industry in profits last year, “continue to disappoint in many aspects”. RMT general secretary Bob Crow said the problem wasn’t about companies needing to try harder, but about the need to end an expensive scam that has lined the privateers’ pockets with £2 million of public money every week. “The PPP doles out guaranteed, risk-free profits to the lucky contractors, and Londoners and Tube workers are suffering as a result. “Taxpayers’ and Tube users’ money that should be invested in improvements is being taken out at the rate of £100 million a year, and it has to stop. He said that report after report had shown that privatisation had failed by every measure. “It is unbelievable that TfL should even consider throwing the East London Line to the wolves as well,” Bob Crow said. Get your MP to sign Early Day Motion 2398 on the East London Line That this House notes that London Underground's East London line is due to close in December 2007 in order that work on the phase 1 extension project can be completed by 2010; welcomes the important role that the extension will play in creating a world class transport infrastructure in preparation for the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games; further notes that the East London line is currently operated by London Underground; welcomes the fact that, once the line is re-opened, there is the option for the East London line to continue to be operated by the London Underground; and calls for East London line passenger services to remain in the public sector. CHALLENGING FOR LABOUR John McDonnell MP explains why he is standing for the leadership of the Labour Party RMT renews call for end to Tube privatisation ‘scam’