When Tony Blair became Leader of the British Labour Party, he immediately changed it from a “Socialist” party to what more closely resembles the American Democratic Party. He also sought to assure the “City of London” that his policies would be favorable to the corporate elite. “New Labour”, as he called it, would be more “pragmatic” and not bother with its historical Socialist principles. With one move, he nullified the power of the Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties and was elected. Now there is virtually no organised opposition to his “New Labour” party.

In the United States, the recent corporate scandals – particularly those involving ENRON – have shown that both the Democratic and Republican parties are financed by the same corporate interests, thereby making inter-party rivalry somewhat irrelevant.

As a result, citizens of both countries feel disenfranchised and are attempting to make their voices heard through other means.

The largest demonstrations, this past weekend occurred in the United States and the United Kingdom – the two countries that are threatening to attack Iraq.

The many millions who demonstrated this weekend are focused on preventing more Anglo-American aggression in the Midddle East but they may be merely the tip of the iceberg that is threatening to topple the rule of multi-nationals and restore voter-based Representative Government.

Those who have the energy and enthusiam to actually demonstrate may be speaking also for those countless dissatisfied individuals who have lost hope in correcting systems best characterised by their maladministration of public finance and the unethical approach to governance which sees military expenditure as more important than social services.

It is time that we in the media give more coverage to the dissenting voices.

Paul V. Rafferty

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