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COUNCIL ELECTION RESULTS SHOW NEED FOR A NEW MASS LEFT PARTY

For immediate use 2 May 2008

With a number of results still to be declared in this year’s local elections, one thing is already clear – last night was disastrous for the Labour Party.  Losing hundreds of councillors, and with their share of the vote down to 24%, this was Labour’s worst electoral performance for 40 years.

So why has this happened?  Campaign for a New Workers’ Party (CNWP) spokesperson Pete McLaren was clear enough in his analysis.  “The Labour Party has lost the support of the working class.  Labour’s continuing move to the right, with its support for privatisation of public services, attacks on striking workers, and the recent abolition of the 10p tax rate has brought it into conflict with working people, particularly those on low wages.  As a result, workers have deserted Labour in droves.  Some yesterday turned to right wing alternatives like the Tories and the Liberal Democrats.  A few even saw the far right BNP as a protest vote.  Many others simply did not bother to vote if there was no left wing alternative to Labour.

Where the left did stand candidates, there were some notable successes.  CNWP National Chair and Socialist Party member Dave Nelllist held his seat on Coventry Council with 49% of the vote.  Respect gained a seat in Birmingham Sparkbrook with 43% of the vote.  Workers need a left alternative to the establishment parties – and where there is one, it can succeed.

Time and time again we heard voters on the doorsteps saying about their electoral options ‘But they are all the same’.   That is why we so urgently need a new socialist party – one that stands for the millions, not the millionaires.  A workers’ party that attracts the working class in large numbers whilst also uniting the disparate left into one movement.  This will stop the drift towards the racist BNP that is happening on some areas, as well as giving voters a new radical alternative.  We are building that alternative in the Campaign for a New Workers’ Party, with increasing support from trade union activists, independent socialists, community activists and others determined to give genuine representation to the working class”, he concluded.

Pete McLaren CNWP Press Officer

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 3,000 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

or

Email: pete.mclaren@virgin.net

info@cnwp.org.uk

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