Campaign for a New Workers' Party

If you think all the big political parties are the same - you're right! The bosses have got three parties - isn't it about time we had one of our own?

Start here to find out more about the CNWP

For all press and media enquiries contact:
Press Officer: Pete McLaren

Email: pete.mclaren@virgin.net

Phone: 07881 520626

"Labour left should build afresh outside the Labour Party" says ex-Labour MP

For immediate use 17 May 2007

Cllr Dave Nellist, Chair of the Campaign for a New Workers Party, today called for supporters of John McDonnell to leave Labour and build afresh outside the party, now that their attempt to challenge Gordon Brown for the leadership of Labour Party had failed.

Cllr Nellist said: "The coronation of Gordon Brown leaves a major question facing John McDonnell and his supporters. How can the millions of ex-Labour voters, disillusioned by the war with Iraq, the acceleration of privatisation and the growing gap between the rich and the rest now have a political voice?

Do the dwindling band of the Labour Left carry on like prisoners within the New Labour machine - occasionally smuggling notes out through the bars?

Or do they, like many of us have, come to the decision that we have to start again and build a new, independent party that can gain the trust and support of millions of people in this country?

Britain doesn't have a genuine debate any more on domestic or foreign policy, for millions of people it doesn't seem like we even have three separate parties in this country anymore. New Labour, the Tories and Liberal Democrats seem to act more like three wings of the same party, vying for a middle ground that is essentially defined by being pro-big business.

Already we have over 2500 sponsors, including 45 on trade union national executive committees, for a serious discussion on what to build outside of Labour.

We urge John and his supporters to draw the necessary political and organisational conclusions from this week - leave New Labour to the millionaires and join the socialists fighting for an independent political voice for the millions of working people."

NOTES

The Campaign for a New Workers’ Party (CNWP) was launched in London at a Conference attended by 450 socialists and trade unionists on March 19. Over 2,500 supporters have already signed the founding declaration, and a number of left groups have affiliated. Officers and a Steering Committee have been elected. The CNWP founding Declaration can be seen on our web site: www.cnwp.org.uk

For further information contact:

Pete McLaren on 07881 520626

Dave Nellist on 07970 294237

Email: pete.mclaren@virgin.net

info@cnwp.org.uk

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