The Socialist Workers Party has just issued it's first pre-conference bulletin to their much diminished membership. Open questioning of the "party line" is only permitted during this period which sometimes allows for "a thousand flowers to bloom". In other words to root out opposition and have it either stamped on or expelled by the leadership.
The SWP were once thought of as quite a stable organisation for many years. Most of any opposition to Cliff & Co had gone by the time the International Socialists were transformed into th the SWP back in the mid seventies.
In fact until Lyndsey German & John Rees left the party after the Respect debacle with George Galloway and a section of the Muslim community, departures were just the natural turnover of members that the SWP always had.
One leading member did once ask "why is that ex-members end up hating us" should have simply looked beyond his blinkered vision. The "Delta affair" very nearly destroyed the party because they tried to deal with and cover up rape and sexual assault allegations through their committees rather than let Martin Smith go which he did after he was named all over social media.
The victim who turned out to be a very young woman in her teens was sacrificed to the altar of protecting the party first. This led to huge ruptures with members leaving in droves and new organisations like RS21 and ironically the International Socialists in Scotland being set up.
Anyway discussion now starts and should only take place in the pages of their bulletins instruct the commissars. Using the internet (Facebook/e-mail etc) is seen as factionalism and the papers are not supposed to be shared to outsiders but somehow they do get leaked. I wonder if they keep an eye on comrades in the pub to make sure they don't talk about issues?
The instructions even tell members they cannot talk about the contents after conference is over. Bit harsh that, but smacks of "factionalism". Once conference is over the comrades will toe the Party Line or else!
According to the Central Committee consider:
the far right are stronger than at any time since the 1930s. Fascism is a real threat.
Not in the UK it isn't. The references they make to the Democratic Football Lads Alliance are misleading. Most of the participants aren't "far-right", there are a few boneheads turning up but the salutes are more down to some elements taunting the so-called anti-fascists shouting "Nazi's off our streets". Certainly the public were confused.
These demo's were about child abuse and yes they raised the question of groups of Muslim groomers which the likes of the SWP tried to deny when first called out it has to be remembered. The SWP played the "race card", got it wrong and like others on the "left" allowed the abuse to continue. It's hardly surprising that elements of the "white working class" which is very much the DFLA's demographic have no time for the like of the SWP et al.
The SWP are left well out in the cold because of the rise of "Corbynism" and are left just trying to sell their rag outside other peoples meetings. Hiding behind the Stand Against Racism label they hope to regain their lost mojo. Not sure the feminists will let them.
Nevertheless the SWP have tried to call for the re-establishment of the Anti-Nazi League and will be making an attempt at influencing the anti-racism movement on the big demo taking place in November.
Harping back to the Delta affair which was a few years back the SWP have set up an Expected Behaviour Review Committee. God shades of the Anti-Sex League in Big Brother or was that the Chinese Communist Party in Mao's time? Getting old can't always remember!
They talk about being respectful to each other, providing members toe the line. I've seen "super-cadres" berating members on what they should be doing making even the strongest rank & file member quiver a lip.
Oh and democracy is served as the leadership nominates itself and three new people to the Central Committee. Members have to vote for the entire slate.
Keeps dissenters out that way you see.....
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