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<div>Hi</div>
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<div>Some thoughts:</div>
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<div>On Thursday 7 May the 'No2EU - Yes to Democracy' campaign declared its full slate of candidates for the 4 June European electon. The campaign is running throughout Britain and will be the only left challenge standing nationally to the establishment and far right parties.</div>
<div>The campaign is opposed to the European Union Lisbon Treaty and attacks on democracy from the EU and is pro workers' rights and public services, and firmly opposed to the racist poison of the BNP.</div>
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<div>Among the candidates on the No2EU slate are Bob Crow, general secretary of the rail workers' union RMT, human rights lawyer John Hendy, former Coventry MP Dave Nellist, Dyal Singh Bagri, president of the Indian Workers Association, Scottish Solidarity's Tommy Sheridan, Lindsey Oil Refinery workers and seven executive committee members from the unions Unison, FBU and RMT.</div>
<div>They are joined by other experienced trade union, environment and community activists from every region.</div>
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<div>This is a very respectable gathering of figures.</div>
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<div>So first thing about a Campaign for Real Democracy, supported by climate camp and g20 meltdown is where they stand on this group and should they be allied. To be distinctive probably calls for a separate organisation such as CRD, affiliation can come later. However, a non-aligned group away from the usual suspects might well be a good thing. So if CRD is to be something new it must give priority to local struggles (school closures, no2id and liberty campaigns around deportations, climate camps) as well as the bigger picture (EU, imperialist wars, global campaigns). To effect this in London, social forums need to be established over general and specific issues. I mean thrashing out paths to and goals of "real democracy", ie basic principles of movement. </div>
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<div>There may be a problem with the democracy word. So a name change should be in the offing, what exactly, I'm not sure. My point is something different makes a difference. Parliament is a huge issue but so are local factors Non-aligned groups must have first a coherent rationale for the way forward. Society is on the edge, forthcoming cuts will trash education, health and community support. Those disaffected with all this need support for their actions. This is all a big big issue, at present all I can say is, Let the Debate begin, Act on the streets, Establish social forums, Link with the strugglers, Side with the downtrodden.</div>
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<div>Keep away completely from the black faced anarchists and any who may besmirch your efforts, whether intentionally or as a result of being clueless pissed up or disturbed losers.</div>
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<div>These are some ideas of a way forward. Wish you and the people with you the best !</div>
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