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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
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face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt'>
<hr size=2 width="100%" align=center tabindex=-1>
</span></font></div>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span lang=EN-US
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font
size=2 face=Tahoma><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>
Stephen Spence [mailto:stephen_spence@btinternet.com] <br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> 24 July 2012 22:01<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> 'Indiv. Members EL'<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> RE:
[Individual-members-EL] EL Indivual Members</span></font><span lang=EN-US><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Dear Nobert,<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>That’s great you had the
conversation with Waltraud and Maite.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>I have given Waltraud some dates in
September when I am in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Brussels</st1:City></st1:place>.
She said she would get back to me about possibility of a conversation with her
and Jiri.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>So far she has not. I am about to go
to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Australia</st1:country-region></st1:place>
until the end of August. When I come back I will see if anything has
happened.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>I have had some discussions on this forum
in relation to the possibility of a <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region
w:st="on">UK</st1:country-region></st1:place> specific resolution. I
have concluded that without an EL structure in place which <st1:country-region
w:st="on">UK</st1:country-region> individual members can link into there is no
consensus on a <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">UK</st1:country-region></st1:place>
specific way forward. There needs to be a <st1:place w:st="on">Europe</st1:place>
wide structure for individual members.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>So I will wait to see how these talks
progress.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Best<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Stephen<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
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face="Times New Roman"><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:12.0pt'>
<hr size=2 width="100%" align=center tabindex=-1>
</span></font></div>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span lang=EN-US
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font
size=2 face=Tahoma><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>
individual-members-el-bounces@listi.jpberlin.de
[mailto:individual-members-el-bounces@listi.jpberlin.de] <b><span
style='font-weight:bold'>On Behalf Of </span></b>Norbert Hagemann<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> 20 July 2012 08:16<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> Indiv. Members EL<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> Re:
[Individual-members-EL] EL Indivual Members</span></font><span lang=EN-US><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:9.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>Dear Stephen,<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:9.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>last days I had the possibility to attend a transfrom
workshop on the left and the crisis in Europe which took place in <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Greece</st1:country-region></st1:place>.
The days before there was an ExBoard meeting of the EL in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City
w:st="on">Athens</st1:City></st1:place> and so I had the possibility to talk
about the issue of the individual membership together with Waltraud and Maite.
It was a conversation within a real open athmosphere and we used the
possibility to listen to each other. I explained the situation based on
my own experience and summerized what the massage of our mail / letter and the
following mail-"debate" is. Doing this I focused on the following
points.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<ul type=disc>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3'><font size=1 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:
9.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>The situation, that individual members of the
EL do not have any rights right now should be solved<o:p></o:p></span></font></li>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3'><font size=1 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:
9.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>We are of the view that our letter is
representative as fare as we are living within the different
circumsstances "forseen" in the statut and coming all to the
same conclusion<o:p></o:p></span></font></li>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3'><font size=1 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:
9.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>We are asking for a solution which should be
defined commonly, means together with us as members and not for an
solution on us<o:p></o:p></span></font></li>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3'><font size=1 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:
9.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>We are aware that the our request is percepted
within the member parties in a different way and that even the
represantatives parties which pushed in the past the individual
membership are at the moment against that<o:p></o:p></span></font></li>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3'><font size=1 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:
9.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>We are interested to work on an long lasting,
sustainable solution which could be reached via different steps if needed<o:p></o:p></span></font></li>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3'><font size=1 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:
9.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>The Italian model is not a soultion for us as
members should not ask for an observer status<o:p></o:p></span></font></li>
<li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3'><font size=1 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:
9.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>We are still waiting for an answer in which way
the positiv answer we got from Waltraud and Jiri will be realized<o:p></o:p></span></font></li>
</ul>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:9.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>We exchanged our informations on the upcomming EU
regulations on the European Political Parties and the rules of financement of
this parties.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:9.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:9.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>Maite and Waltraud promised that they will inform the secretariat
about the discussion and will start non later than September to work on a
solution (with us). I promised to inform the Individual members about this
debate so that everyone beeing listed here can reflect and work on concret
suggestions.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:9.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:9.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>Kind regards<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:9.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:9.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'>Norbert <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:9.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:9.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:9.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div style='border:none;border-left:solid #C3D9E5 1.5pt;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 8.0pt;
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name=quote>
<div style='margin-bottom:7.5pt'>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=1 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:9.0pt;
font-family:Verdana;font-weight:bold'>Gesendet:</span></font></b><font size=1
face=Verdana><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Verdana'> Samstag,
30. Juni 2012 um 14:08 Uhr<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Von:</span></b> "Stephen
Spence" <stephen_spence@btinternet.com><br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>An:</span></b> "'Indiv. Members
EL'" <individual-members-el@listi.jpberlin.de><br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Betreff:</span></b> Re:
[Individual-members-EL] EL Indivual Members <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div name=quoted-content>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Richard,</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Thanks for those answers, very
helpful. I was exploring in my head whether there was a DLS angle to this
registration business but your answers say no. </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>The point you make about the name
‘Democratic Left’ has been made by others. </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>I was in Australia when all that history
happened and went through the story there which was CPA becoming the SEARCH
Foundation but spawning the New Left Party which became Left Network and then
went extinct. SEARCH Foundation is still going, still gazing at its own navel.
</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>The ‘right euro-communists in the <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">UK</st1:country-region></st1:place> did
seem to become ‘New Labour’ with the ‘left
euro-communists’ left outside anything.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>It’s a pity about ‘Democratic
Left’ because it is such a good name. Registering ‘European
Left Party’ could be done but it’s a double edged sword. The
word ‘European’ does not play well here. You’d just
about get away with it for European elections, but <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City
w:st="on">Westminster</st1:City></st1:place> and Local would be problematic
and you might as well do one for all. Also the truth is EL is really a
banner for national or regional based left parties. Making that banner
effectively a party through registration here is a new step unless you did
something like European Left GB or European Left England or European Left
Scotland, which could be done. </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>You register for <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region
w:st="on">Great Britain</st1:country-region></st1:place>. You can then
nominate individual countries you will stand in if you want i.e. <st1:country-region
w:st="on">England</st1:country-region>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Scotland</st1:country-region>,
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Wales</st1:country-region></st1:place>
or you can leave it GB and run anywhere. </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Because we only have individual members
and only <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Brussels</st1:City></st1:place>
knows who they are and hasn’t so far shared the detail one of the
difficulties is any of us with an interest are effectively one man bands (and I
mean man. I have yet to hear of a woman individual member in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region
w:st="on">UK</st1:country-region></st1:place>) which is why the ‘Left
Independent’ idea came up. You could actually seek to register that
as a title and the one of the three people who you register as the
‘Nominating Officer’ can then allow the name to be used.
That’s what TUSC do for example.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>The alternative is to do nothing
collectively and as a left individual support TUSC/Respect/Greens/Labour/SNP as
an electoral option rather than try and do something else, but I’m
interested that with DLS as a network leaving you free to support someone else
electorally, you’re still interested in a left option. That’s
my instinct too but it’s hard.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Best</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Stephen</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>
<hr size=2 width="100%" align=center>
</span></font></div>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font size=2
face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'>
individual-members-el-bounces@listi.jpberlin.de
[mailto:individual-members-el-bounces@listi.jpberlin.de] <b><span
style='font-weight:bold'>On Behalf Of </span></b>Richard Dunphy<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> 29 June 2012 12:38<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> Indiv. Members EL<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> Re: [Individual-members-EL]
EL Indivual Members</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<p><font size=2 color=black face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;color:black'>Dear Stephen,</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><font size=2 color=black face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;color:black'> </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><font size=2 color=black face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;color:black'>Democratic Left Scotland has consciously and
deliberately chosen NOT to register as a political party, but to function as a
network. This does mean that some members of the Greens and even the Labour
Left are also members of DLS. It explains why it has gone for observer
membership of the EL, as full membership would cause problems for these
comrades. It also means that DLS - <em><i><font face=Tahoma><span
style='font-family:Tahoma'>per DLS </span></font></i></em>- could not run,
or support, a candidate in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Scotland</st1:country-region></st1:place>
as some of our members would be campaigning for Green or Labour candidates. (I
had forgotten that point in our previous correspondence; as so often, political
realities north and south of the border are slightly different).</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><font size=2 color=black face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;color:black'> </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><font size=2 color=black face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;color:black'>DLS only accepts members from <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region
w:st="on">Scotland</st1:country-region></st1:place>. There was, of course, a
DL in England and Wales (after the CPBG voted to rename itself as the
Democratic Left) which was our sister organisation, but it dissolved
itself into the New Times Network, which then dissolved itself into ...
nothing? New Labour? I am unclear as to where those comrades ended up. I guess
it would be for comrades in <st1:country-region w:st="on">England</st1:country-region>
and <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Wales</st1:country-region></st1:place>
to consider reestablishing DL down there, not really for us to comment. But for
your purposes it might be better to go for a new name, rather than sound like
a re-run of the sad and sorry days of the end of the CPGB/DL in <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">England</st1:country-region></st1:place>!
I wasn't involved directly, but I think those were quite acrimonious times,
perhaps best not recalled.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><font size=2 color=black face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;color:black'> </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><font size=2 color=black face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;color:black'>IF <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Brussels</st1:City></st1:place>
would give the green light, it would be good to see EL registered with the
electoral commission down south. Does there have to be separate registrations
north and south of the England/Scotland border? It would be interesting to know
the implications of that.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><font size=2 color=black face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;color:black'> </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><font size=2 color=black face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;color:black'>Best,</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><font size=2 color=black face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;color:black'>Richard.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><font size=2 color=black face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;color:black'> </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><font size=2 color=black face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;color:black'> </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3
color=black face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>
<hr size=2 width="100%" align=center>
</span></font></div>
<div id=divRpF130576>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><b><font size=2 color=black
face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;color:black;
font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font size=2 color=black face=Tahoma><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;color:black'>
individual-members-el-bounces@listi.jpberlin.de
[individual-members-el-bounces@listi.jpberlin.de] on behalf of Stephen Spence
[stephen_spence@btinternet.com]<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> 28 June 2012 21:10<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> 'Indiv. Members EL'<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> Re:
[Individual-members-EL] EL Indivual Members</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Richard,</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Has Democratic Left Scotland ever
considered registering as a political party with the Electoral Commission and
does it accept members from the rest of GB or just <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region
w:st="on">Scotland</st1:country-region></st1:place>? </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Also if it doesn’t accept members
from outside <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Scotland</st1:country-region></st1:place>
has it ever taken a position on whether the Democratic Left could be
re-established in the rest of GB?</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>I’m sorry to bombard you with
questions but I also would be interested in what you think about attempting to
register the name ‘European Left’ or ‘Democratic Left’
with the Electoral Commission as an alternative to a ‘Left
Independent’ strategy for 2014.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Best</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Stephen</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>ps I know this is the kind of comment that
gets me in trouble with the EL powers that be, but I know there has been and likely
still is contact between Die Linke and other EL national parties with the
Labour Representation Committee inside the Labour Party. I have always
wondered whether part of the problem in getting assistance with affiliating a
GB individual members body has included the national parties being reluctant to
‘rock the boat’ with LRC because they get something out of that
connection that they are reluctant to compromise or perhaps more innocently
that LRC has run the ‘nothing outside Labour in GB will work because of
the electoral system’ line and they listen to that more than those of us
who would like some help in establishing an alternative to working in Labour.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3
color=black face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>
<hr size=2 width="100%" align=center>
</span></font></div>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 color=black face=Tahoma><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;color:black;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font
size=2 color=black face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;
color:black'> individual-members-el-bounces@listi.jpberlin.de
[mailto:individual-members-el-bounces@listi.jpberlin.de] <b><span
style='font-weight:bold'>On Behalf Of </span></b>Richard Dunphy<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> 28 June 2012 01:58<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> Indiv. Members EL<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> Re:
[Individual-members-EL] EL Indivual Members</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<p><font size=2 color=black face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;color:black'>Dear Norbert,</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
color:black'> </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><font size=2 color=black face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;color:black'>Lovely to hear from you, and thanks for this
advice. It's not in my power to send the application again, but I have
forwarded your message to Stuart Fairweather (<a
href="s.fairweather703@btinternet.com" target="_parent">s.fairweather703@btinternet.com</a>),
who is the national convenor of Democratic Left Scotland, with a recommendation
that he do as you suggest.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
color:black'> </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><font size=2 color=black face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;color:black'>best wishes,</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><font size=2 color=black face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;color:black'>Richard.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3
color=black face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>
<hr size=2 width="100%" align=center>
</span></font></div>
<div id=divRpF152683>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><b><font size=2 color=black
face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;color:black;
font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font size=2 color=black face=Tahoma><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;color:black'>
individual-members-el-bounces@listi.jpberlin.de
[individual-members-el-bounces@listi.jpberlin.de] on behalf of Norbert Hagemann
[norberthagemann@web.de]<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> 27 June 2012 19:02<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> Indiv. Members EL<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> Re:
[Individual-members-EL] EL Indivual Members</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black'>Hi Richard,</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black'>I was not able to enter
the debate between you and Stephen but I will do so a little bit later, sorry
to much to do right now. Regarding the DLC I would like to ask you
to "resend" this request please to Helmut Scholz. You can
reach him under the following mail address: <a
href="helmut.scholz@europarl.europa.eu" target="_parent">helmut.scholz@europarl.europa.eu</a>
</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black'>I talked to him right
now. He will table it at the EL ExBoard meeting next month in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City
w:st="on">Athens</st1:City></st1:place>.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black'>Kind regards</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><font size=1 color=black
face=Verdana><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black'>Norbert
</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div style='border:none;border-left:solid #C3D9E5 1.5pt;padding:0cm 0cm 0cm 8.0pt;
margin-left:7.5pt;margin-top:7.5pt;margin-right:3.75pt;margin-bottom:3.75pt'>
<div style='margin-bottom:7.5pt'>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=1 color=black face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black;font-weight:bold'>Gesendet:</span></font></b><font
size=1 color=black face=Verdana><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Verdana;
color:black'> Mittwoch, 27. Juni 2012 um 16:03 Uhr<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Von:</span></b> "Richard
Dunphy" <r.a.g.dunphy@dundee.ac.uk><br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>An:</span></b> "Indiv. Members
EL" <individual-members-el@listi.jpberlin.de><br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Betreff:</span></b> Re:
[Individual-members-EL] EL Indivual Members </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<p><font size=2 color=black face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;color:black'>Dear Stephen,</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
color:black'> </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><font size=2 color=black face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;color:black'>Just by way of keeping you fully in the
picture, so to speak, there is an organisation here in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region
w:st="on">Scotland</st1:country-region></st1:place> called Democratic Left
Scotland (which grew out of the old CPGB, but is now a network rather than a
party, with some members from the Greens, etc.). I am in it, as are maybe
half-a-dozen or so other independent EL members in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region
w:st="on">Scotland</st1:country-region></st1:place>. DLS is small (about 100
members) but good - it publishes an excellent quarterly journal called
Perspectives (<a href="http://www.democraticleftscotland.org.uk" target="_blank">www.democraticleftscotland.org.uk</a>).
The point is that DLS applied to become an observer member of the EL last
autumn. They still have not received any reply from <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City
w:st="on">Brussels</st1:City></st1:place>. It would seem that the chronic
inefficiency at the top doesn't just apply to the issue of individual
membership!</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
color:black'> </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><font size=2 color=black face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;color:black'>Richard.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
color:black'> </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3
color=black face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>
<hr size=2 width="100%" align=center>
</span></font></div>
<div id=divRpF923828>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><b><font size=2 color=black
face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;color:black;
font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font size=2 color=black face=Tahoma><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;color:black'>
individual-members-el-bounces@listi.jpberlin.de [individual-members-el-bounces@listi.jpberlin.de]
on behalf of Stephen Spence [stephen_spence@btinternet.com]<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> 27 June 2012 13:22<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> 'Indiv. Members EL'<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> Re:
[Individual-members-EL] EL Indivual Members</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Dear Richard,</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>In my lunch break so relatively quickly.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>You are of course correct, a European Left
badge would be better. Currently there isn’t one although with
three people and £150 you can register a party name with the electoral
commission and run under it. As long as European Left didn’t object
although on what grounds they could do so anyway I’m not sure. They
have a EU registration but that doesn’t get you on the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region
w:st="on">UK</st1:country-region></st1:place> ballot paper even in EU
elections. </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>To this point in time other <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">UK</st1:country-region></st1:place>
based people I’ve spoken to haven’t supported doing that on the
grounds that it would be a hollow organisation, and therefore simply another
non-resourced label rather than anything real. I’m not sure I agree
with that. I’ve always thought that one candidate with a Party name
is enough. But the point is I’ve never had two other people
prepared to do it and for registration you have to list three people in total
as officers of a named party.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>That’s why I thought a ‘Left
Independent’ openly advertising an affiliation with the European Left
might be a way to go. It still costs £5000 deposit, the appointment of an
agent, so two people per constituency minimum required. In addition you
would need finance for leaflets etc and yes it would have to be the small
number of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">UK</st1:country-region></st1:place>
people left as EL individual members who would have to try to do that. So
far I know of you and Luke and two others who were involved before I’m
still in contact with personally. In addition I think I could draw in a
dozen or so personal contacts who would have an interest if something was
happening but who have no interest if it isn’t.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>I often get advice to start locally but
there are lots of little left groups all round the country which haven’t
moved much beyond the parish pump. I think you’ve got to make a top
end intervention to kick things off.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>The Party of the European Left is to me a
democratic left party, and to me the democratic left is subtlety different from
other socialist and communist groups. To me it’s a form of left
social democracy at heart that I agree with. </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>It is of course possible with your £150
and three people (when three emerge pointing in the same direction at once) to
register a party name that is UK specific, that could then seek to affiliate to
EL. I’ve thought of lots of them for example;</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Democratic Left, Progressive Left, Radical
Left, Radical Democrats, Left Green
Democrats………………I assure you the list goes
on.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>So far any attempts to do this have
floundered on different views to any proposal which is why some of us concentrated
on getting individual membership of EL and then trying to get recognition for
individual members. Believe it or not since 2004 on two separate
occasions we had a <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">UK</st1:country-region></st1:place>
website including an on-line blog, a post office box, and we’ve had
people attending Congress, Trade Union Network, summer Schools but the Party
has always been slow to help develop it further. Even now I’m
waiting for George in <st1:City w:st="on">Brussels</st1:City> to provide me
with a list of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">UK</st1:country-region></st1:place>
based individual members, following a response from him criticising a statement
from me that a lack of support existed. No such list has ever been
provided to me despite requests over eight years. The EL want individual
members but up until now they don’t seem to want them organising but in
the same breathe tell to organise yourselves. They mean I think as a
Party that can affiliate, individual membership has always been a bit
threatening to existing member parties, even though we don’t have one in
the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">UK</st1:country-region></st1:place>.
</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>However I now have this dialogue going
with Waltraud and frankly I’m hoping through that they pick up on efforts
to consider candidates in the UK and give some help, but I’m not holding
my breathe.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>So it does indeed come down to what we
think we could do. I think there is no point in being an EL individual member
long term if the EL can’t intervene in politics in the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region
w:st="on">UK</st1:country-region></st1:place>. It’s taken me eight
years to get to that point. Therefore in 2014 I want to do something one
way or another as the welfare state crashes and burns around us.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>My ‘Left Independent‘ idea comes
from an absence of any other bright ideas right now. So far the two
comrades who dropped out after previous efforts, who I still write to off line,
don’t think it is a good idea and you have raised legitimate
points. A comrade from <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Germany</st1:country-region></st1:place>
has said ‘good luck’ and that so far is it.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>My conclusion is after eight years of EL
discussion in the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">UK</st1:country-region></st1:place>
someone needs to say ‘I’m going to run in this constituency can I
rely on your support’. In order to get someone to take that step
I’m seeing if there is a way of doing it that has some degree of
support. </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>If not it might be better for EL
individual members in the UK, such as we are, to simply decide to support to
Respect, TUSC or the Greens in 2014 or all of the above, and with EL
concentrate on getting some form of Individual Members Branch in the
discussions with Waltraud.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Happy to hear all additional thoughts.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Best</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Stephen </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'> </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3
color=black face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>
<hr size=2 width="100%" align=center>
</span></font></div>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 color=black face=Tahoma><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;color:black;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font
size=2 color=black face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;
color:black'> individual-members-el-bounces@listi.jpberlin.de
[mailto:individual-members-el-bounces@listi.jpberlin.de] <b><span
style='font-weight:bold'>On Behalf Of </span></b>Richard Dunphy<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> 26 June 2012 13:04<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> Indiv. Members EL<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> Re:
[Individual-members-EL] EL Indivual Members</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<p><font size=2 color=black face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;color:black'>Dear Stephen,</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
color:black'> </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><font size=2 color=black face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;color:black'>Many thanks for doing this work on behalf of us
all.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
color:black'> </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><font size=2 color=black face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;color:black'>As regards your proposal for running candidates
in the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">UK</st1:country-region></st1:place>
in the 2014 EP elections, I would love to have the option of voting for, and
campaigning for, an EL party candidate, but I am not sure about the wisdom of
running (an) independent candidate(s). If it is not possible to draw attention
to the existence of EL as a party, and run on the basis of an EL Manifesto,
what would be achieved by running as independents? Speaking personally, I must
admit that I usually don't take independent candidates seriously (except,
perhaps, at local council level) and tend to vote for a party, not an
individual.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
color:black'> </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><font size=2 color=black face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;color:black'>Also, would an EP campaign have to be
financed entirely within the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">UK</st1:country-region></st1:place>
by a small group of supporters? Presuming so, again I wonder how feasible it
would be - and all, more than likely, for a couple of hundred votes. OK, it
might be argued that even a candidate running on an EL party platform might not
poll more than a tiny vote, but at least in this case it would put the party on
the map, so to speak, and remind many disenfranchised left-wingers in this
country that there is a party alternative to Labour - at the European level at
any rate. Would an independent candidature achieve this?</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
color:black'> </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><font size=2 color=black face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;color:black'>Sorry if this sounds negative. I'm not entirely
close-minded, just exploring my initial reactions!</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
color:black'> </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><font size=2 color=black face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;color:black'>best wishes,</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><font size=2 color=black face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;color:black'>Richard.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3
color=black face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>
<hr size=2 width="100%" align=center>
</span></font></div>
<div id=divRpF141253>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><b><font size=2 color=black
face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;color:black;
font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font size=2 color=black face=Tahoma><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma;color:black'> individual-members-el-bounces@listi.jpberlin.de
[individual-members-el-bounces@listi.jpberlin.de] on behalf of Stephen Spence
[stephen_spence@btinternet.com]<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> 24 June 2012 11:26<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> 'Indiv. Members EL'<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> [Individual-members-EL]
EL Indivual Members</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>Dear All,</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>CONFIDENTIAL TO THIS LIST</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>I would like to advise you that I am in
ongoing correspondence with Waltraud of the EL Statutes Commission trying to
get a trying to get a date to meet in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Brussels</st1:City></st1:place>
about individual members. I am proposing, following up Nobert’s
letter, a European wide individual members branch that can meet a couple of
times a year, with a Branch Executive, a seat on the Executive Board, the Chair
able to attend the Council of Chairpersons, and the Branch able to send delegates
to the EL Congress based on the number of members. In essence I am
suggesting an Individual Members Branch should be treated like a Member
Party. I will let you know how these discussions progress. I am
happy to do this work but if there ever becomes a need for something to be said
about it publicly I will need someone to do this, as I can only do this in a
private capacity, behind the scenes, due to my public trade union work.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>For individual members in the <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">UK</st1:country-region></st1:place> I
would like to know your opinion on an additional matter. I am wondering
whether it might be possible for individual members of the EL to run as
‘Left Independent’ candidates affiliated to EL in the 2014 European
Parliament. Where there is no <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region
w:st="on">UK</st1:country-region></st1:place> registered political party
running as an ‘independent’ is an alternative option. I had
thought as the ‘European Left’ is registered party at the European
level it might be possible to use that name but I can’t get any clear
advice on that, and I think there were have to be a <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region
w:st="on">UK</st1:country-region></st1:place> registered party to do it.
So the ‘Left Independent’ idea came into my head. Does anyone
have a view?</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>Best</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=black face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:black'>Stephen </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'><br>
The <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceType w:st="on">University</st1:PlaceType> of
<st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Dundee</st1:PlaceName></st1:place> is a registered
Scottish Charity, No: SC015096 </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 color=black face=Verdana><span
style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:Verdana;color:black'><br>
The <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceType w:st="on">University</st1:PlaceType> of
<st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Dundee</st1:PlaceName></st1:place> is a registered
Scottish Charity, No: SC015096 </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 color=black face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'><br>
The <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceType w:st="on">University</st1:PlaceType> of
<st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Dundee</st1:PlaceName></st1:place> is a registered
Scottish Charity, No: SC015096 </span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><br>
The <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceType w:st="on">University</st1:PlaceType> of
<st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Dundee</st1:PlaceName></st1:place> is a registered
Scottish Charity, No: SC015096 <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=1 face=Verdana><span style='font-size:9.0pt;
font-family:Verdana'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
</div>
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