(Statement made at the top of the Red Labour page on Facebook May 2014)

Red Labour: who are we and what is all this about?

Red Labour advocates a clear socialist policy orientation in the Labour Party: Labour's Socialist tradition.

Red Labour's values:

Red Labour is committed to a socialist vision based on a progressive role for the state, including public ownership and progressive taxation, and to fighting for a socialist future:

* Britain is a more unequal society than at any time since the 1930s. We need an enforceable living wage, a decent state pension, council housing, and public services that are run to meet our needs, not sold off for private profit.

* We need a foreign policy which works for peace, justice and solidarity across the world.

* All people are of equal value. We believe in fighting all forms of prejudice and discrimination.

* With global capitalism in control of the political agenda, there is an urgent need for a major shift of wealth and power in favour of ordinary people.

* The Labour Party was originally set up to fight for workers rights, civil liberties and political representation. We must rediscover that desire for political, economic and social liberty.

* Given resource constraints and environmental pressures, we need a sustainable energy policy based on renewables; the development of affordable public transport, protection against flooding and freedom from fracking, and a housing policy which offers both affordable rental and ownership choices.

These are our basic, bottom line beliefs, but we don't expect Red Labour supporters to be unanimous on every issue. So there isn't a long list of specific policies that we support. And we encourage and welcome honest open debate where there are differences of opinion.

Red Labour...is a 'forum', rather than a membership organisation - supporting Labour Party members, (and former members, and those who would join the party if it adopted the values we believe in...) to:

* Get involved in local branches and constituencies - not as isolated individuals, but with strength in numbers and to argue for our CLPs to start campaigning and be relevant again!

* Challenge the lack of effective democratic policy-making in the Party

* Initiate and encourage political and economic education and debate in the Party

* Participate in consultation, e.g. Your Britain: Agenda 2015

We now have over 30 local Red Labour groups. If you're interested in what we have to say and want to get involved, get in touch with your local group. A list can be found here:

https://www.facebook.com/redlabourhq/info

If there isn't one locally, think about getting together with some like-minded members and setting one up.