RMT held a conference on working-class representation in January. Since its expulsion from Labour, RMT has been searching for a way to use its political clout in the best interest of its members. Requests have come in to finance some of the most unlikely candidates, including nationalist and reactionary parties and individuals.

RMT still has a Parliamentary group of Labour MPs, and is affiliated to the Labour Representation Committee (it's high time the other rail unions joined too).

The Blairites have left their rank and file feeling let down. We need to strike back. There is a lot of discontent that can be built on using sound socialist tactics.

The union's new training centre should run courses on socialist history and ideas - a far better use of our political fund than giving it to Glamorous George Galloway.

There are dangers in standing candidates against Labour eg. letting the Tories back in to power. Does it matter?! Yes. Anyone who lived under Thatcher during the miners' and printers' disputes and the poll tax could never say "they are all the same."

Although we should not look to split the vote in Labour's marginal seats, we should not be afraid to take a stand elsewhere. The question is who and how? Do we spread the cash about to anyone spouting pseudo-socialist claptrap - or try a new approach?

Why not stand our own trade union members? We could elect a group of potential candidates.

Something to think about?