Left wing Labour MP's and trade unionists are meeting today at a conference to discuss a programme for reclaiming the Labour Party for the unions and working classes that created it. The New Labour elite has completely dominated the Party, distorting the original principles of the Party which are still held by the majority of members.

As socialists we should welcome this move, but remain cautious. The Labour Party has swung to the right many times throughout history, from Ramsey Macdonald, to Hugh Gaitskell, to James Callaghan. Tony Blair is just the latest traitor to the working class, but his extensive overhaul of the Party may mean that loyal Labourites have to look for an electoral alternative, particularly if revolutionary ideas seem unfeasible to them in this militaristic, neo-imperialist epoch.

What are the alternatives?

Scargill’s Socialist Labour Party is modelled on the Bolsheviks under Stalin’s control, with all power consolidated with Scargill. Thousands of socialists who joined the SLP at its original inception have been subsequently disappointed and left. A great opportunity wasted.

 http://www.socialist-labour-party.org.uk/

The Green Party. Can be perceived to have taken the Left initiative with particular emphasis on ecology and the environment. However it is currently co-habiting on several councils with the Liberal Democrats, and are jointly pushing through privatisation and job cuts. Another disappointment, but they probably have the best of intentions.

 http://www.greenparty.org.uk/

The Socialist Alliance is the favourite and most coherent alternative to Labour. Despite a relatively poor turnout at the council elections (with the exception of Hackney and a few other wards) the SA still remains the most exciting electoral project on offer. There are talks under way with the Socialist Party to re-unite the two after the SP's unfortunate departure. This will be a significant event considering the SP's very good turnout at the council elections, winning several seats, including one in Coventry with over 1000 (52%) of the vote. The unity represented by the SA will be the key to the success of the Left. Liz Davies, former member of the Labour national executive is now part of the SA and other disillusioned Labour members may seriously consider joining in. A list of individual Trade Unionist, Lawyer, Media Workers and celebrities that support the SA can be found at:

 http://www.socialistalliance.net/about/supporters.htm

The SA has taken an active role in initiating the debate on the Trade Unions relationship with Labour, and the proposed democratisation of the political funds. It also came out strongly in support for the recent strikes, many members being Unison and GMB regional representatives.

 http://www.socialistalliance.net

There are also some great Anarchist alternatives like the newly formed Anarchist Youth Network who do excellent work in mobilising activists to different causes and demonstrations all over the country.

 http://flag.blackened.net/ayn/

The decision is, of course, up to you. Even if the Left is able to somewhat reclaim the Party, as more Labour MP's courting promotion lap up the New Labour rhetoric, the seeds are being sown for future Blair’s to take control and steer Labour towards oblivion.

The time to act is now.

IN SOLIDARITY.