Green Finger George

Hot on the heels of Observer Galloway coverage we have George Monbiot in the Guardian making a reasonable case or his ideas on how best to really signal displeasure with the government.

I don't agree with all his choices. But there's no surprise in that. Under his scheme ther is just the same potential as under the "Liberal for a Day" nonsense from wrecker Tariq Ali for the Tories to waltz in through the middle if too many voters take the risk where things are reasonably close.

Remember that just over 10% swing away from Labour to the Lib Dems causes about 80 seats to change hands. But the Tories get all but six or seven WITHOUT GETTING A SINGLE EXTRA VOTE THEMSELVES.

In the case of a 10% swing to Greens, SSP, Respect or Plaid, who form Monbiot's equal first pick, the Tories would probably get the same 73 seats, and Labour would hang on to the others.

The table in full goes :

1= Green
1= SSP
1= Respect
1= Plaid
5 Interesting independents e.g. Reg Keys in Sedgefield
6 139 Anti-War Labour candidates (though a few retire)
7 What he calls "a faintly credible micro party"
8 The Lib Dems

Monbiot's logic on the Lib Dems is sound. On their intrinsic merits. And on where their success could move things - which is not leftwards.

The full article is here :

http://www.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,,1462946,00.html

A letters about Reg Keys in Sedgefield is here :

http://www.guardian.co.uk/letters/story/0,,1464420,00.html

And this is a letter I submitted on the subject to the Guardian :

>>>>>

George Monbiot (Signal your opposition, April 19) is right. Lib Dems are rock bottom of any left-wing tactical voter's list. Even then best avoided if so voting let's a Tory in through the muddle.

But why should Greens or others take preference over 139 anti-war Labour people? Particularly over 30 or so candidates for re-election who "got it right" on all marquee left issues - as recognised by Labour Left Briefing?

In Manchester we have blue-green as well as red-green Greens. One in my area called for medieval-style corporal punishment. One of three BNP pledges this time. Another criticised the cost of town hall tea and biscuits - ignoring labour value. Expect redundancies. Others are Labour-right defectors. Leeds Greens govern with Tories.

Of course some Greens are "solidly to the left" of Mr Blair. But not George to the left of _my_ red-green Labour party.

Chris Paul
Manchester