A local Green Party member comments on the recent
RESPECT meeting in Coventry

I left after Galloway's bit cos I'd worked out that it was just going to
be a talking heads event.

One of Galloway's comments I particularly noted:  "We have had to cut
some democratic corners because the time is so short..."  which I interpret as
meaning that democracy can go to hell as long as Galloway gets his way.

In his speech he referred to Dave Nellist - but I saw none of the
Coventry Socialists (with whom we Greens work occasionally) that I know in
evidence. I feel sure that Nellist has had his fingers burnt once by trying to
cooperate with the Socialist Alli - and I doubt if he'll do it again.

Greens are standing - having gone through all appropriate democratic
processes in choosing candidates - in all European Parliamentary
Constituencies, and Galloway comes to us expecting us to chuck away all
that democracy and let him take first place on our lists.  No way!

Also I don't think he's even heard of the PPERA and all the extra work
and financial monitoring that requires - so my guess is that he's likely to
come seriously unstuck.

btw - I don't think the description of the Greens as good and innocent
will stick!  90% of the radical stuff Galloway was angrily ranting on about is
part of our manifesto - but we don't just rant, we have formulated the
policies on how to tackle these politically criminal activities.  And we
now have a long history (30 years) of continuing to do the job of offering a
radical alternative to the current situation - and Greens are getting
elected across the country, and even in small numbers are making a real
difference in local authorities - and of course the Scottish Parliament.
Even Galloway says that Caroline Lucas is one of the finest politicians
there is... (but then intends standing against her and Jean Lambert - our
two currrent MEPs - in the South East and London if they don't stand
down)

If you want radical policies that are going to work and are likely to be
electable, you have to look to the Greens - indeed much of what I saw of
Soc Alli policies were recognisably lifted from the Green Manifesto - I sh'd
know because I edited many of them - and I suspect Galloway will do the
same.  The Green Manifesto is on the greenparty.org.uk website for all to
see (as it is updated by every conference) - we believe in transparency
as well as democracy!

If Galloway is so anti New Labour why did he wait to be pushed??