What they’re saying about the Convention of the Left

The Convention is gaining new sponsors every week. Read what some of them have to say below (all in personal capacity unless otherwise stated).

Joan Abrams, vice-chair Greater Manchester CND, CND National Council, Labour party member

“Political policies will not change towards the left until a socialist left is seen as an important political constituency. Only by giving a voice to a strong and convincing movement towards socialist policies may we turn the tide against the currrent assumed acceptance of a right wing consensus.”

Dr John Lister, author, The NHS After 60: for patients or profits?

“In this 60th Anniversary Year of the NHS it is vital for socialists to recognise what a massive asset we still have to defend in the NHS, a public service that reaches parts the private sector cannot or will not reach – because they do not offer the prospect of profits.”

Ken Loach, film director

“We should all welcome this convention. The fragmentation of the Left benefits the warmongers, privatisers and polluters. This meeting should help to affirm a Socialist alternative and to discuss how we can move forward. There is a mood throughout Europe to develop the anti-capitalist Left - we need to be part of that.”

John Nicholson, former Labour Deputy Leader Manchester Council and Convenor of the Socialist Alliance.

“We need to start defining a new way of working (even to reclaim that word “new”), so that we can come together in practical campaigns, regardless of the organisations we may belong to, so that we can stop the war and nuclear proliferation, the cuts and privatisation, the racism and environmental destruction.”

Councillor Susan Press, Calder Valley CLP, Chair Calderdale NUJ

“The Convention Of The Left is a serious opportunity for those of us who feel disillusioned by New Labour’s neo-liberalism to discuss the way forward . As a member of the LRC, I wish to carry on the fight for socialist values within the Labour Party. supporting left MPs like John McDonnell and Jeremy Corbyn. But I am also keen to campaign on issues like globalisation, peace and climate change with comrades from across the political spectrum . I look forward to taking part in the Convention.“

Raphie de Santos, Scottish Socialist Voice editorial board member

” I whole heartedly support the convention of the left. We need more developments like this that can bring together all those who are looking to build a left socialist alternative to New Labour’s failed neo-liberalism. Many comrades from the Scottish Socialist Party will coming down to Manchester to support and join in the discussions and share our experiences of left unity in Scotland.”

Clive Searle, on behalf of Greater Manchester Respect Renewal

“For too long we have been told by New Labour, and the Tories before them, that there ‘is no alternative’ to the free market and the wars that support it. This convention gives the Left, in all its variety, the chance to show that there is an alternative, to clarify what it looks like and discuss how we can work together to achieve it.”

Derek Wall, Green Party principal speaker.

“I would be very pleased to have my name lent to this venture.I am been very encouraged both by talking to John McDonnell and with a lot of positive stuff coming out from Morning Star that the left can work in practical non sectarian ways to promote change. Keep up all your good work”

This entry was posted on 07/04/2008 at 10:26 pm and is filed under Statements. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.