Have all socialists been disenfranchised by New Labour?
Yes – New Labour are finished, as far as being a working-class party. They are no better than the Tories. They are no longer even very democratic, as New Labour is ruled from the centre and even if it is impossible to get left-wing policies through conference, these are simply ignored. John McDonnell (one of the few socialists left in New Labour) tried, but failed to get enough nominations to challenge Brown in the last leadership election. I’ll be voting for whoever is standing to the left of Labour – either Socialist Labour Party or Green (in order of preference). I may well be in Coventry on election day, campaigning for Dave Nellist, who will be standing for a new party – the Trade Unionists and Socialist Coalition (see sources).
