Summary
The new Respect Coalition emerges as barely recognisable from the portrait of your political editor Jonathan Walker (Post, April 19). Some relevant facts need mentioning. Unlike the establishment political parties, Respect candidates standing in the June 10 European elections opposed the war in Iraq before, during and after it took place. And unlike the mainstream parties we oppose the continued occupation of Iraq. We stand for just and ethical policies at home as well as abroad. We oppose tuition fees and foundation hospitals and demand pensions linked to earnings. We believe in respecting our young and old, as well as caring for the vulnerable and sick.
We are the only party that calls for the re-nationalisation of the rail network and for an end to the privatisation mania that enables private companies to pocket huge state subsidies whilst wrecking our public services. We are supporters of trade unions and already have secured support from many rail workers and firefighters. We are by far the most diverse organisation that has ever stood on such a progressive platform. In the West Midlands our list is headed by John Rees, one of the national founders of the Stop the War Coalition. He is joined by Salma Yaqoob Chairman of Birmingham Stop the War Coalition; Dr Mohammed Naseem, Chairman of Birmingham Central Mosque; Longbridge shop steward Anil Seera, Race and Equality worker Cheryl Garvey, Warwick University lecturer Penny Hicks, and Dudley Hospital worker Winifred Whitehouse. All of our candidates have actively pursued campaigns for peace, social justice and the rights of ordinary people in the West Midlands The last general election saw the lowest turn-out since universal suffrage was introduced. This was not a result of apathy, but a popular weariness with the lack of choice on offer at the ballot box. June 10 will be a referendum on the Blair government. For those who want a real alternative to war and privatisation there is now a real electoral choice on offer.See the full content of this document
Extract
Letter: Respect Is Offering a Real Choice to the War
Our Respect meeti...
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