the RESPECT party

Their show of defiance remains one of the most iconic images of the 20th Century. In Conversation with John Carlos will be a unique opportunity for people across the UK to discover the reasons behind his decision to raise his clenched gloved fist, and to learn how his gesture of defiance radically altered the course of his life.

Internationally renowned local filmmaker Ken Loach has given his full backing to Paulette North the Respect Party's candidate for the forthcoming Bristol mayoral election.

Ken Loach whose latest film is up for yet another prestigious award and whose other films include Kes, Looking for Eric and The Wind that Shakes the Barley, had this to say about why he backs Paulette North, "I am pleased to support

Paulette. She would work for the ordinary people of Bristol. She would defend them against the vested interests of big business and central government. She would be the 'people's Mayor'!"

Paulette North said of the support of Mr Loach. " I am delighted that someone whose films are so inspirational, speaks so highly of me. But most of all it's an endorsement of the values and principles we both share".

Paulette North has made it clear about what she believes would make Bristol a better and fairer City, preferring straight talking to the usual bland vagueness of other politicians.

She has stated: "It is a disgrace that Bristol can be both so prosperous yet have some of the most deprived areas in the country.

At a meeting of the Bristol branch of the Respect Party held on 9th May, Paulette North was selected as their candidate to stand in the forthcoming mayoral elections. The vote was unanimous.

Paulette North is a 56 year old retired teacher. She was born in the East End of London to a Vietnamese father and a Jamaican mother. She is a prominent member of Bristol Defend Asylum Seekers Campaign, Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees of Avon and Bristol Law Centre, a member of the steering group of the Bridges Art Project, a member of the National Union of Teachers, a supporter of Stop the War and convenor of Bristol BARAC (Black Activists Rising Against the Cuts). She initiated Bristol’s Stephen Lawrence Memorial Lectures and is the presenter of the Thursday Outlook Show on Ujima local radio.  

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The following motion was passed at the Respect Party National Council on May12th 2012. It will form the basis of debate at the forthcoming National Conference. Any Respect Party branches or groups of six members may submit amendments by sending them to the National Secretary by June 11th at this email address.  Members can sign up for the conference here 

Strategy Motion for Respect Party Conference 2012

The meeting is next Wednesday, 16 May at 8pm, at the Mechanics Institute, Manchester – click here for a map.

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Francois Hollande’s victory in the French presidential elections constitutes a major step forward in the struggle against austerity across Europe. Its immediate effect is the smashing of the pro-austerity consensus of the political classes, responsible for strangling the life out of Europe’s economies over the past four years and resulting in a deepening social crisis which for increasing numbers of people caught at the sharp end looked to have no end in sight.

Finally, it is anticipated, the government of a major European economy will break with the markets and the banks to establish an economic policy configured around the needs of the majority of its people. This in itself will constitute a significant political departure from the steady rightward shift that has taken place throughout Europe in response to the global economic crisis.

Britain’s swing to Labour mirrors electoral results across Europe as people seek to oppose brutal austerity policies. In many places this is the first real opportunity for those facing such measures to make themselves heard at an electoral level. Those responsible for implementing these policies have been punished.

In France, the presidential election looks set to be won by the Socialist party candidate Francois Hollande. He is campaigning on a programme opposing the austerity policies of the right under Sarkozy, and for creating jobs and growth through investment with some limited proposals to tax the rich. He has been pushed to the left by the vibrant campaign of the Front de Gauche headed by Jean-Luc Melenchon and this has given him that extra sustainable edge over the incumbent.

In the Greek elections, the perpetrators of austerity will be punished – in this case the social democratic PASOK is likely to take the biggest hit – with anti-austerity parties of the far left expected to make large gains. Anger and disenchantment at the continued collapse of the economy and drive to further cut wages and increase unemployment are finding their reflection at the ballot box.

Faisal Khan, 2720, 42.1% ELECTED