A network of individuals, independent and alternative media activists and organisations, offering grassroots, non-corporate, non-commercial coverage of important social and political issues.

Brighton: wrecking operation against Green Party?

frustrated | 13.04.2005 12:49 | South Coast

Why (oh why oh why) are the so-called Alliance For Green Socialism running a splitter candidate in Brighton?

Brighton Pavilion is the top Green target, the Greens have a serious chance of getting their first MP here.

So why are the supposedly pro-Green AGS running a separate candidate? Either this is incompetence or a deliberate sectarian attempt to nobble the Greens.

Anyone from AGS care to comment?

frustrated

Comments

Hide the following 10 comments

Why is the Green Party running a splitting operation against Respect?

13.04.2005 13:46

Greens are doing just the same thing in Bethnal Green and Bow, where Galloway looks like he might beat sitting MP Oona King. Seems to me the Greens can't have things both ways. In Brighton Greens only got 10% at last General election, which in my mind hardly makes them 'likely to win', wheras in London, barring a ballot stuffing operation by New Labour, Respect look likely to win the seat if the progressive vote isn't split. Perhaps if the Greens took a more mature attitude to co-operating with other groups, perhaps stuff like this wouldn't happen. Instead, the Greens have been on a big sulk since Lindsay German beat them for London mayor.

Probably vote for Keith Taylor (Green) in Brighton Pavillion anyway, but just thought I'd highlight the hypocrisy of their position.

Don't vote Bliar

Unity Through A Thousand Splits!

13.04.2005 14:54

Does it strike anyone else as funny that all these various socialist/green unity projects, AGS, SUN, SGUC etc spend half their time frantically denouncing one another and come election time choose to all run rival candidates in the same seats? Genius!

At least Respect and the Green Party seem to be serious.

amused

What ?

14.04.2005 07:31

"Respect look likely to win the seat".

Where did that come from ? The idea that the lovely George is going to beat King is laughable. Her biggest threat comes from the Lib Dems not Saddams friend. Wake up people, Respect is a joke and has no chance of winning any seats because they don't have any support.

Tim -Nice but dim

RESPECT has a very good chance of coming 1st

14.04.2005 13:38

it is a disgrace that the wolly middle class green heads are standing against respect. i it is tootally outrageous behaviour, i do not live in Tower Hamlets and respect are not standing in my area, as a result of this secterian action i will now refuse to vote for greeens . i will tell the green candidate (jenny jones, i believe) that she can get losts.

i demand an explaination from the greens as to why the are standing. they should consider withdrawning.

RESPECT has an excellent chance of winning, even Andrew Gilligan from the Evening Standards thinks george galloway will win. Oona King is so scared that Charie Blair has been called out to support her.

GReens can get lost.

respectable

Polling in Newham

14.04.2005 14:38

Apparently canvassing returns show Respect in the lead in both seats in Newham as well - obviously helped by Tony Bank's complaint that his constituents problems were 'tedious'. Probably a bit overoptimistic by Respect, but looks like election night might be interesting after all. Oh, and good luck to Keith Taylor too!

Hopeful

..

14.04.2005 15:46

Maybe the reason these parties are running is because they believe that the idea of democracy is giving people the choice of whether to vote for them or not.

Spin and spin again

14.04.2005 15:48

Looks like the Respect spin machine is having a busy afternoon on the newswire !

The idea that Respect are going to win a seat is of course laughable and placing posts here about "recent polls" which show Respect as being in the lead are not going to convince anyone.

I'm not sure why those involved in activist politics find the concept so hard to grasp but the clear fact is the overwhelming majority of the UK population simply don't share their views. Respect, the SWP, the Greens, The Working Class Assoc, Veritas and all the others are doomed to lose their deposits.

We can argue the reasons for this until the cows come home but stupid posts claiming an impending victory add nothing to the debate.

Wake me up before you go

Respect

14.04.2005 18:03

Independent says Galloway 'likely to win'
10/04/2005

The Independent on Sunday guide to 'The 80 seats that could change the political landscape' has predicted that sitting MP Oona King is set to lose to Respect's George Galloway.

The IOS concludes 'Oona King, who backed the Iraq war, likely to be beaten by George Galloway of Respect.'

Apparently, bookies are putting odds on Galloway to win too.

While the result remains to be seen, the media have been treating Galloway as a serious contender and many have said he is likely to win: He has a hard task, Ooona King has a 10,000 majority!

There was also the recent outburst by Cherie Blair against Galloway - why would the prime minister's wife comment on a candidate who was not likely to retain his deposit?

Udo

And "RESPECT" stands for?

14.04.2005 18:59

"it is a disgrace that the wolly middle class green heads are standing against respect"

Umm? What? Did I miss something. Does Respect stand for something *better* than woolly middle class Green Heads. With it's clear position on? err... umm... Well the war - hmm well even the Green's manage that.

Come on get a grip. Respect is a populist lash-up that won't actually make any difference in the scheme of things - even if it does get George Galloway back into the House of Commons.

It's just a shame that a self-proclaimed revolutionary organisation makes good comrades waste their time on this. Why?

want folk to do productive stuff

William Hill closes book on Robert Kilroy-Silk

30.04.2005 15:23

William Hill have closed the book on Robert Kilroy - Silk, to win at Erewash, Derbyshire.
Last price 7/1. Reuters reported William Hill spokesman Graham Sharpe: " Mr Kilroy-Silk supporters have been backing him big time and we are looking at a potential six-figure payout if he wins." For further information on the Veritas Party go to: