from:  http://politics.guardian.co.uk/green/story/0,9061,1061611,00.html

Coalition of peace looks to polls

Martin Nicholls and Tom Happold
Monday October 13, 2003
The Guardian

Anti-war activists including the Guardian columnist George Monbiot are planning to form a coalition to challenge the Labour party in the European and local elections in June.

The attempt to unite socialist parties, anti-globalisation campaigners, peace activists, and faith groups, including Muslims, has already aroused the hostility of the Green party, which is branding the electoral project as "unhelpful".

The driving force behind the plan is a Muslim mother, Salma Yaqoob, who became active in the anti-war movement after being spat at in the street after September 11.

Now the chairwoman of the Birmingham Anti-War Coalition, she has joined Mr Monbiot in approaching political and peace activists to set a common manifesto.

She told the Guardian: "The strength of the anti-war march was the diversity of protesters: people came from different backgrounds, faiths and political affiliations.

"But without a clear or comprehensive political programme we remain dispossessed, with only the parties of business or bombing to vote for. Together we probably make up the majority."

With the Stop the War Coalition claiming more than 500 affiliated groups and more than a million people having marched against the war, Ms Yaqoob and Mr Monbiot believe the enthusiasm generated by the peace movement can be channelled into a "genuine progressive opposition". The pair plan a convention later this year to agree a final manifesto.

The Greens are not so enthusiastic. Caroline Lucas, one of the party's two MEPs, said there were "no short cuts" to gaining and defending parliamentary seats.

But Ms Yaqoob said the coalition would not be divisive. "If there is a good Green candidate, it would be madness to stand someone against them."