This is a message from John McDonnell’s campaign for Labour leader. This is a serious challenge from a real socialist, fighting on a socialist platform and for working class representation inside Labour. Please circulate widely!
It’s been over two months now since John McDonnell MPannounced his stand for the Labour leadership. From the very beginning, we madeclear that this is not a stalking horse candidacy. This is a serious challenge for power which we can win.
We have been absolutely overwhelmed with support since the launch of the campaign. Huge numbers are rejoining the party. Trade unionistsall over Britainare campaigning for a candidate who supports their union’s policies. In apoll conducted by the Electoral Reform Society at TUC Congress, 59% ofdelegates backed John McDonnell. A focus group of Labour supporters convened byBBC Newsnight revealed that Johnwas level-pegging with Gordon Brown. This is a tremendous achievement for apolitician who was largely unknown before launching his leadership bid andwhose campaign has suffered a virtual media blackout.
If you support the campaign, I hope that you will get involved. See below for more details.
What does John stand for?
An independent foreign policy and the withdrawal of British troops from Iraq and Afghanistan
A Trade Union Freedom Bill restoring the rights taken away by the Tories
An end to the privatisation of public services
Direct investment in council housing
Abolition of student tuition fees and full support for comprehensive education
A Real Living Minimum Wage with no exemptions for young people
The restoration of civil liberties
A green energy policy based on renewable power sources
The immediate restoration of the link between pensions and earnings
To find out more about what John standsfor, please keep reading his regularly updated blog at http://www.john4leader.org.uk.
What canyou do?
1. JOIN
In order to vote for the next Labour leader, you need to bea member of the Labour party or an affiliated trade union. Already, many haverejoined Labour in order to support this campaign. I know that this was a verydifficult decision for many to make. However, it is the only way of replacingNew Labour with a Real Labour alternative. I hope that you will also considerasking your friends and colleagues to join as well in order to have a say inthis historic contest.
To join, you can download the form here: http://www.john4leader.org.uk/gettinginvolved/joinlabour.pdf.Alternatively, you can join online: http://www.labour.org.uk/joinus orring 08705 900 200.
There is no cut-off point for voting in the election. Allthose who joined before a contest are eligible to vote. However, an electioncould at any time in the next few months. So – think about joining now.Let us know if you and your friends have joined.
2. DONATE
You won’t be surprised to hear that this campaign hasno millionaire backers. If you support this historic campaign, we are askingyou to consider sending in a donation. Ask your local trade union or partybranch to consider sending in a donation. Any donation will help us in our effortsto win a Real Labour Government.
To donate, go to www.john4leader.org.uk/donate.html.You can also send in cheques made payable to John4Leader to: John4Leader, c/oG10 Norman Shaw South, House of Commons, LondonSW1A 2JF.
3. WRITE
If you have a local Labour MP, please write to them as soon as possible and ask them to nominate Johnwhen a vacancy for the leadership arises. Let them know that youwant a real contest to allow a proper debate that isn’t aboutpersonalities but is about policies. Let them know if you have rejoined theparty or are considering doing so because of the campaign – and if you know others who are doing so.
Sending a message to your local MP only takes a minute. Goto http://www.writetothem.com/to find out who your local MP is and how you can get hold of them.
Please also write to your trade union leader and let them know if you back the campaign.
If you don’t think that there has been enough coverageof the campaign in the media, write a letter to a newspaper or write to the BBC by going to http://news.bbc.co.uk/newswatch/ukfs/hi/newsid_4030000/newsid_4032600/4032695.stm.
4. CAMPAIGN
LOCAL GROUPS – From the very beginning, we wanted to make this a grassroots campaign and take it away from the Westminster bubble. We want people to get involved at the local level. Local groups could campaign locally and, for example, set up stalls in town centres to distribute material. Please get in touch with us at info@john4leader.org.uk to be put in touch with other local supporters.
RESOLUTIONS – John McDonnell is standing on the basis of policies supported by trade unions and indeed by Labour Party policy. Why not pass a resolution in your local branch supporting the campaign? Let us know if you need our assistance.
LEAFLETS – We are currently producing a wide range of leaflets – including for specific trade unions in which John commits to implement each of their main policies; Labour party members; and the anti-war movement. Please get in touch with us at info@john4leader.org.uk if you are able to distribute leaflets.
CAMPAIGN MATERIAL – We have also produced John4Leader badges, t-shirts and even balloons. Get in touch at info@john4leader.org.uk if you are interested.
This is a hugely exciting and historic campaign. Over thecoming few months, John will be travelling all over the country. Have a look athttp://www.john4leader.org.uk/events.html for more information.
I hope that you will get involved. Don’t hesitate toget in touch with us if you need any further information.
There is a really good website with stories from the John McDonnell campaign at http://www.hangbitch.com. It’s by journalists who go to all the meetings, etc. C what you think.