But what is a much bigger problem however is that the Is essentially a shopping list of demands, full of jargon left in and completely inaccessible to those thousands of disillusioned Labour voters to which the Alliance needs to the national press i There is or course no way such a document can be redrafted by a conference of hundreds of people. CONN The conference must sim- involve i ply decide the policy points and agree that the text should then be rewritten in Models exist that can easily be used: the SSP manifesto the otber. the sort of document that is the A consensus seems to be developing around this useful amaroon, bri needs to be formally agreed by the the Alliance as a That way we can ensure that activists leave the conBritish ference convinced that we March 2). are emoaring on a berero Election campaign that can questions focus the frustration that sc many working class people sect that have felt with a new Labour claim -sover ment for which they voted, but which has trampled on their aspirations.
A voice for the voiceless is needed at this election, an the Alliance can begin to become that voice.
hilarious parody absurd divisions in Monty of the In fact the growth of the Socialist Alliance, and the be the biggest challenge to Labour experience in a number for over half a century was arcas of the success that can be achieved when the previalways going to find its heckSo it was little surprise that to work positively together, launch of signals at long last the possibility of moving beyond the the socianst almance cam futile factionalism paign for the general elecwhich seems likely to past There are signs that the England, should have come iliance is creating a frame which under fire - from the incorri areas of nent can be discussed con he Spartacist tendency on STUC Obviously this type of work Guardian's Polly Toynbee on is anathema to the parasitic no surprise either utra-lell, whose whole exis that the bostile ultra-leftism tence depends upon exploitWing the work and struggles of Spartacists others and divisions among "Workers Tannoy') provided ammunition for other organisations. Toynbee's predictable efforts Toynbee finds so objectionto devalue the importance of qualitative able the new factor on the left of Her article shows that it is politics (Guardian, she who is locked in the past.
It was only by focusing on Long after the demise of the raised by this right-wing hat formed the SDF plintei insignificant and peripheral 1980s (and of which she was despite all the evi- a part), she is still working - that out ber anger the left remains locked in its carly 1990s fought for social. left who in the 1980s and long-standing state of fracList policies hous and lactona disunil. Labour Party.
This also enabled her to Hostile drag in an allusion to the of such She is still hostile to those challenged hunters and like Neil Kinnock, who preferred to sec the health work ers, print workers, miners, left-led Sutciffe's seat. His attack, free nurseries and childcare, rena jonalisation of rail and gration controls. of "How will it be paid for?" she as il the Alliance was secking to claim that it is an embryonic gor. conciaou to take over tomorrow, and as policies of privatiof the sation, PFT and subsidies for rail operators were not all THOUSY CAUCUBITC Toynbee berself remaining against those who attack the political disagree NOW Labour government's policies:| Nellist and Mark Steel talk than ever comes on stream?" Perhaps i Toynbee berself should check out what is happening up and down the country, as health authorities is it that Polly and Trusts struggle to balbrutal years of Tory cash limits, as councils slash jobs and privatise umpteenth successive year, and as schools face group weeks after years of pathetic in tbe pay rises for teachers.
Perhaps she should look at the Further Education colleges axing jobs to balance on the Universities staring within the barrel of deficits as students reject the opportunity stack up debts to collect a degree, after New Labour witch. scrapped the is on to undersoc vocal that there are very obvious ways in which even a Labour cash for many of the radical policies demanded By the Even the right wing Fabian society has embraced the call if New for progressive wealth and high incomes, And even AURIES Labour's own pet think-tank the IPPR has called for more Toynbee's unar searcace exposes the naivete of her approach and undermines her whole con tique the before "Why." she (speaking for supporters) asks, "is Labour always hap pier disappoint its own offend those interests who will never support Labour anyway?" threc Capitalism first For those who support the cicar: Labour is a party which supports first, and reforms for its own supporters only where possi The Socialist Alliance, by to use the phrase COHEEROSN mocked by Tornbee, is the down party "for the millions, not the millionaires". It is a party which rejects of over the "new realist" view that thines can only change a litte when big business and the remaining super-rich allow, and which set of policies for a new type of society, based on meeting need. mither than maximis ing profit. Toynbee calls in vain for party SHOW but rejects the Socialist Alliance because we dare to dream of something better, and to fight to build pontical Ms With Labour, the working mini- roting for the "lesser evil", only to be betrayed and ultimately ignored: asylum Alliance working people are being RiveD scheme - credible chance to vote at the next election for the policies Ency want and accu the Now that really is something new!