22 Jan 2009

Green Left call for support for John McDonnell

Green Left today released the following statement:


“The New Labour government have reneged on their commitment to combatting climate change by going ahead with the third runway at Heathrow. They have ridden roughshod over the opinion of many of their own MPs. John McDonnell, the local MP, may have wielded the mace for a few moments but it was a sign of desperation, and a recognition that he wields no power in the Labour Party, far removed from its original principles.

Green Left co-convenor, Joseph Healy, said: “it’s time we stretched our hand to fellow politicians with whom we agree more than disagree. We should avoid sectarianism and give people like John McDonnell
meaningful support. While we will have no truck with a callous Labour Party, we recognise there are individuals with honour and integrity.”

”If John McDonnell were to stand as an Independent at the next General Election, we would be happy to suggest to the rest of the Green Party that no candidate of ours stand against him as has indeed been agreed by the local Hillingdon Green Party”. This bold step could occur on the basis that any such independent candidate stood for meaningful action to combat climate change.”

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi, like your blog and, a bit cheeky I know, wondered if you wanted to contribute a comment on my post below about 0% Gross Domestic/National Product, business and the environment. It's set to go wider.

http://russellcavanagh.com/2/?p=133

Many thanks and all the best.

Anonymous said...

Green Left co-convenor, Joseph Healy, said: “it’s time we stretched our hand to fellow politicians with whom we agree more than disagree. We should avoid sectarianism and give people like John McDonnell
meaningful support. While we will have no truck with a callous Labour Party, we recognise there are individuals with honour and integrity.”

”If John McDonnell were to stand as an Independent at the next General Election, we would be happy to suggest to the rest of the Green Party that no candidate of ours stand against him as has indeed been agreed by the local Hillingdon Green Party”.

Sorry Joseph, but if the Greens want to give "meaningful support" to John McDonnell's excellent stand on Heathrow, then the Green candidate in Hayes & Harlington has to be prepared to stand aside, and Green activists have to get behind McDonnell in a context of him being the Labour candidate at the next election. We may both have fallen out with Labour, but as you say, there will always remain people within Labour we should want to work with & campaign for.

weggis said...

When people like John McDonnell are prepared to put their money [and their livelihood] where their mouth is and ditch the Labour Party and join the Greens, then I will take notice.

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