I have never recommended to anyone that they leave the Labour Party as a result of its having come into disrepute or that they remain. People may reasonably wish to fight for an institution that love or they may reasonably consider such a fight futile. There may be existing or new parties that people are considering joining. I have drawn up a checklist, ten pledges as it were, that I would take into account in assessing any political party. These may or may not be reasonable .. I am willing to listen to feedback and amend if persuaded:
1. I will not vote for or support any party whose leader declares him or herself to be, without qualification, a supporter of the policies or institutions of any country except our own.
2. I will not vote for or support any party that supports acts of war against other countries.
3. I will not vote for or support any party that suppresses freedom of thought, opinion or discourse.
4. I will not vote for or support any party that surveils the social media conversation or other legal espressions of thought and opinion of its members or other citizens with the purpose of inhibiting or suppressing such conversations.
5. I will not vote for or support any party whose institutions and practices privilege or discriminate against any individual on grounds of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability or any characteristic unrelated to merit with regard to any issue being considered.
6. I will not vote for or support any party that accepts or accepts its elected members receiving donations from any individual, corporation or institution that by virtue of the size of such donation can reasonably be suspected of buying or attempting to buy special influence over or access to legislators and legislation.
7. I will not vote for or support any party whose elected members by virtue of employment or membership of boards or membership of any other institution or agency can be said to represent any institution other than the constituency that elected them.
8. I will not vote for or support any party that does not make access to health, education, nutrition, housing and social care provision, basic rights for all citizens.
9. I will not vote for or support any party that does not have and does not develop credible, ethical and environmentally responsible development programmes for all sectors of the economy and with regard to its relationship with private sector corporations.
10. I will not vote for or support any party that does not pursue a foriegn policy that is just and peaceful and that promotes and supports international justice and cooperation.