A dynamic campaign for peace in the Balkans, decriminalisation of drug addicts, integration of immigrants and refugees, and a more social Europe, enabled the Left Bloc to win a large section of the youth vote, and attract those Socialist Party voters who were disgusted by their party's sabotage of the 1998 abortion referendum. * * The author is a leading member of the Socialist Revolutionary Party (PSR), 4* International. The Left Bloc can be contacted at 13 rua Febo Moniz ric esq., 1150 Lisbon, Portugal, fax 01/3144790, <ip267518@ip.pt>. www.bloco-de-esquerda.pt Contributions to the election fund can be sent by cheque, or directly to account #32116257-000-001, BPI/Saldanha. International Viewpoint #314 September 1999 5
European elections
TURNERPRIZE - LATE ENTE certainly backfired.
The contempt in which many potential voters were held by the government was graphically demonstrated by Labour's last election broadcast. The only message was Blair is wonderful, so vote for him!'
In Scotland and Wales, nationalists to the left of Labour did well. The Welsh Party Plaid Cymru won two seats (they only expected to win one). The Scottish Nationalist Party (SNP) polled 27.2%, not far behind Labour and the Conservatives, who both scored 28.7%.
The best far left result goes to the Scottish Socialist Party (SSP), which won 4.02% of Scottish votes, and 11% of votes in Glasgow, the largest Scottish city. The party has renewed its call for socialist unity-particularly with Arthur Scargill's Socialist Labour Party, which attracted 1.03% of Scottish votes. The SSP has invited Scargill's supporters to succaleis оrdz01 bat