In recent weeks a lot has been happening on the left. With only just over 5 months -before the next general election the left needs to get its act together quickly. The RMT union held a well attended conference to discuss the crisis of political representation for the working class. I would estimate well over 250 attended. However it became clear that no new left party is going to be formed by the number of left wing militant trade unions this side of the election. Both the RMT and FBU have strong trade groups of MP's and they are keen to keep these links with these MP's -like John Mcdonald. A coalition of the left is however going to be established to stand as many candidates as possible email electioncoalition@btinternet.com for more information. Respect also held its conference in Birmingham on the 14th November and from the reports I have read it appears to have taken a rightward turn away from seeking to link with the wider forces of the left seeking to build a new broad party. Respect is increasingly becoming seen as a communalist Muslim party. Its level of support outside of a very few areas of the country is no greater than the rest of the far left. It membership appears to have collapsed to only around 500 and is heavily concentrated in only 12 functioning branches.
Locally the developments on the left are much more interesting. A broad coalition of activists and campaigners from those calling for a progressive new secondary school for the north of the borough, tenant and leaseholders activists, trade unionists, and socialists have come to together and adopted a constitition and formed a political party which will soon be registered with the Election Commission. Two council wards in Deptford will be targetted and as many candidates as possible will be standing for "People Before Profit"
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