SOCIALISTS in London have been meeting over the last few months to discuss the possibility of putting together a common platform and list for the European Elections. These moves, if successful, could represent unparalleled co-operation between left currents and groups. Supporters of the Independent Labour Network, the Socialist Workers Party, the Alliance for Worker's Liberty, Socialist Democracy and Socialist Outlook have participated in these discussions. It is not yet clear whether agreement will be reached on a common platform or whether all of the groups involved will support such a list. The impact of a possible return to First Past the Post if that is the outcome of the row with the Lords is a further complication.
Similar discussions seem to be developing in other parts of Britain. Below we print the platform currently under discussion in London: "WE ARE STANDING in these elections to represent the demands and interests of working and jobless people "We believe that by its support for the priorities of profit, official Labour has deprived its supporters of political representation.
We support the struggles of the working class and all the oppressed in defence of their interests.
| For massive public expenditure to defend jobs and services To ensure jobs for all For a 35 hour week without loss of pay For a minimum wage of 66 an hour Full trade union rights for all Fight all closures and redundancies To save our services • Tax the rich and slash the arms budget to provide proper health care, housing, education, childcare, public transport and other public services.
Wing for all. public transport in London. the Socialist Party, trol of industry and finance. of privatised utilities. into public ownership. discrimination ality. Metropolitan Police. We support the struggles of the working class Europe Restore and increase benefits and pensions to guarantee a decent standard of living for all.
Free access to high-quality education and trainPublicly-owned, integrated, well-funded, cheap • For a Europe that puts people before profit • For the public ownership and democratic con• For the immediate return to public ownership We are opposed to all privatisation - private profiteers should not control public services.
• Companies threatening closure should be taken Profiteers should not be allowed to cut jobs.
Social control of industry and agriculture to stop the destruction of our planet. A democratic Europe to end • For an end to discrimination on the grounds of race, sex, nationality, religion, age, disability or sexuEnd the racism and corruption of the For the right to asylum. Scrap all racist immigration controls. For the unity of workers and jobless for a socialist Europe • We are for a democratic and accountable people's Europe, based on socialist, environmental and inclusive policies, against the Europe of the multinationals and the bankers.
• We reject the destructive monetarist criteria for European Monetary Union, and oppose the undemocratic European Bank.
For a nuclear-free and peaceful • We are for a nuclear-free and peaceful Europe. NATO divides Europe and threatens our security Cancel Third World debt.