The left unites – but on the wrong issue

[T_i_B]

Interesting that we may well have a left-wing Euro-sceptic party to vote for in the European elections, and I do wonder if this is the latest ploy of the SWP crowd to win votes (I must confess I haven't seen the full list of parties standing as yet).

Mind you, I do think that the argument of the article is misplaced. Lefties are not under any obligation to support the EU and neither should they be.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/may/02/eu-politics-left

Given the poisoned history of leftist sectarianism in Britain, the emergence of No2EU, a new movement set up to fight the European parliament election this month that has drawn support from almost all the furthest left factions and parties, might be thought worthy of a modest celebration. The fact that this project was initiated by a trade union — the RMT – is also notable given the past record of the trade unions to subordinate their political ambitions to support for the Labour party.

Alas the comrades have chosen to unite on a platform that mixes highly desirable economic and social reforms with a toxic hostility to the European Union and its institutions. Set up with the laudable aim of diverting voters away from the BNP and Ukip, No2EU's initiative based on its self-avowed, militant defence of "national sovereignty" will only reinforce the anti-European mindset, an outcome the Tory right and far right will readily exploit.

Only this week we have seen where arguments of national sovereignty deployed by New Labour ministers in ministerial meetings in Brussels have led to a block on proposals to end the UK opt-out of the 48-hour maximum working week. Never mind that the proposals were supported by the trade unions across the European Union (and by a majority of Labour members of the European parliament), the No2EU strategy prioritising national sovereignty would have put it on the same side as Brown's government and some of the most reactionary employers' organisations in Britain.

In its visceral opposition to the Lisbon treaty, No2EU propaganda reflects much of the ignorant stance adopted by Tory and Ukip eurosceptics. it shares the mistaken belief that the unelected commission can pass EU laws binding on all member states. It equally ignores the provisions of the Lisbon treaty that would lead to an elected – not appointed – commission president and to far greater powers for the elected European parliament. Moreover it is above all the influence of MEPs that will ultimately redress the reactionary bias of recent labour market laws passed by governments in the council of ministers and upheld by the European parliament.

[muriel_volestrangler]

1. And they won't take their seats if elected

Which (a) the article says could end up with other parties getting the seats instead (b) guarantees they'll get forgotten about after the election. If their sole purpose is to disrupt the BNP vote, and they can do it in a way to make sure the BNP don't benefit in the end, then it may be worth it; but it looks more like another effort by the left that most people won't take seriously.

[T_i_B]

2. Well, there's also the Socialist Labour party standing

Now they may be some of the biggest loonies on the far left but I suppose they may well be a m ore attractive option for many of a socialist persuasion.

It's actually quite interesting to look at the smaller parties in the euro elections. I've noticed this lot who are against political parties alogether!

http://www.juryteam.org/

There's also a party called "animals count", 1 independent in my region, and then you have the parties such as the English Democrats and United Kingdom First who I presume are all chasing after the anti-EU vote. No2EU are entering a crowded market as there are already plenty of anti-EU parties on the ballot paper.

And am I the only one here who gets loads of google ads for Libertas on this site?

[muriel_volestrangler]

3. My region has a party of one called "The Roman Party. Ave!"

I'll try to find out what the hell Jean-Louis Pascual is for or against.

I have ads turned off, so I see almost none here.

The South East England has a 'Peace Party' standing too - they stood the last time as well.

http://www.peaceparty.org.uk/

On edit: The Roman Party is a big time operation - his actual Statement of Accounts to the Electoral Commission for 2007:

http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/64733/Roman-Party---SoA-2007.pdf