Antifa England: On the Euro Elections

[Holden Caulfield]

With only a couple of days to go until the Euro elections, the ‘Searchlight’ front, ‘Hope Not Hate’ (HNH) have unleashed their secret weapon in their campaign to stop people voting for the British National Party (BNP) – The Prime minister!

Beleaguered Gordon Brown was happy to take a photo opportunity with the HNH bus, and to be the prime signatory among politicians and liberal luvvies signing a statement pushing the HNH line. While astute antifascists have always been aware that the real message HNH wished to promote was ‘Vote Labour’, it is hard to think of a stunt more likely to push voters into the arms of the BNP than the kiss of death from Gordon Brown, the leader of a struggling corrupt government, and the man most people are likely to blame for the current economic crisis. The stunt certainly makes HNH’s real role crystal clear though, as little more than a Trojan horse for New Labour and a cynical attempt to con anti-racists into backing a viciously racist authoritarian party in order to prevent the encroach of the viciously racist and authoritarian BNP.

The SWP front ‘Unite Against Fascism’ (UAF) may not be as solidly in the New Labour camp as HNH, but they are still bleating the same tired line – ‘Don’t WASTE your vote’ – As if a chance to put a cross against the name of one scumbag or another has any WORTH. Ordinary people KNOW they are being conned, not only by New Labour and the Tories, but also by the liberal Left, whose credibility in most working-class communities doesn't even rival that of the BNP. If the fascists fail to make a breakthrough in the Euro elections, it will be no thanks to the UAF or ‘Hope Not Hate’.

Whatever the outcome of Thursday’s elections, ANTIFA will still be here to confront the BNP, with our political integrity intact, and by the only means that make any difference – Direct action.

Don't Vote - Organise!


www.antifa.org.uk (http://www.antifa.org.uk)

(two posts send to trashcan, check them out if you really want ~ Holden)

[h0m0revolutionary]

Holden isn't alone in slagging on UAF and for good reason, their pacifism and complete pissy liberal approach to tackling fascism is exactly what the BNP would wish for; ineffective and no political depth.

The likes of the BNP do not come into being in isolation and they are not markedly different to the other capitalist parties. They exist because the establishment releis upon them in a time of revolutionary upsurge to ride over class differences and restore order in the interests of capital. That has aleways been the role of fascism.

Our fight then isn't just with fascism, it's with the whole system. Moreover it is with the weak anti-fascist movements that pretend fascism is something extra-ordinary within a bourgeois framework; something many of them know not to be true.

[Pogue]

Its actually shocking how out of touch these people are, it really is. They spend so much money, absolutely loads, on these campaigns without a coherent message which will actually tackle the problem of the rise of the BNP. They tour the country getting everyone on board- they have searchlight, which gets alot of good information, and they fuck it up with state collaboration, and inane rubbish without a core message. Its frustrating - so much money, so many people who are willing to do things with them, and yet all they can do is say we should vote for 'anyone else!'

Christ, if a militant clas strugglist group had that much money and man power they'd probably obliterate the BNP from the face of the planet, and move onto the FN by tea time.

[Pogue]

Holden isn't alone in slagging on UAF and for good reason, their pacifism and complete pissy liberal approach to tackling fascism is exactly what the BNP would wish for; ineffective and no political depth.

The likes of the BNP do not come into being in isolation and they are not markedly different to the other capitalist parties. They exist because the establishment releis upon them in a time of revolutionary upsurge to ride over class differences and restore order in the interests of capital. That has aleways been the role of fascism.

Our fight then isn't just with fascism, it's with the whole system. Moreover it is with the weak anti-fascist movements that pretend fascism is something extra-ordinary within a bourgeois framework; something many of them know not to be true.

I agree that the bourgeoisie relies on fascism, and I also obviously agree that the BNP are fascist, but I think we need to analyse the BNP in a different way other than them just being the armed thugs of the bourgeoisie state (by which I mean, they are, but they are more than that too). I'm under no illusions that the bourgeoisie will call on, ally with and prefer fascism to workers power, but the BNP clearly have a role and function independent of the bourgeoisie at the moment.

They (BNP) come from an ideological traidtion that is different from that which the bourgeoisie politicians emerged from, and they also have a slightly different role than fascism as seen in Italy, Spain and Germany. In these countries, fascism emerged as the aggression of the bourgeoisie, yes, but the BNP come from a distinct ideological tradition of nationalism, racism and white supremacy and the fascism which we know - i.e. authoritarian nationalism, class collaboration, etc etc. I think extreme nationalism and white supremacy can merge and grow seperately of the mainstram 'bourgeoisie movement', and that them fusing or alligning will and does come later. But I'm willing to debate this because I am not sure.

[brigadista]

gordon brown as a "secret weapon"??? the kiss of death surely?

[Dr Mindbender]

Am i alone in saying we should be engaging with UAF types to win them over to revolutionary politics by actually debating and engaging via working with them, rather than mudslinging like this? Just saying.

If UAF get mass support there must be something to them. Better to have that support on our side rather than do a 'people's front of Judea'.

[Pogue]

Am i alone in saying we should be engaging with UAF types to win them over to revolutionary politics by actually debating and engaging via working with them, rather than mudslinging like this? Just saying.

If UAF get mass support there must be something to them. Better to have that support on our side rather than do a 'people's front of Judea'.

Obviously anyone would be pleased if a good comrade went over to class struggle militant anti-fascism, but Antifa isn't really the sort of organisation to go recruiting openly amongst them. I think if someone decided to get into UAF, then they'd probably be the sort who prefers the more, shall we say, relaxed activities of UAF to something like Antifa. I don't think it'd go amiss if Antifa made itself known more so potential comrades could get involved - I am sure theres alot of guys and gals who could potentially be useful to the organisation - but obviously they have to be careful with what they do, and the likelihood of attracting people is quite small from such a group as UAF. I think most people who want to would find it anyway. I think militant anti-fascism will grow as a tactic as time goes on anyway and so people will be drawn to groups such as Antifa naturally.

[Holden Caulfield]

I'll post more later (got a shiney new copy of socialism today to read) but I would like to stress that Antifa England isn't an organisation exclusively for those who want to, or can, fight fascism physically. As the movement grows they would seek to distribute propaganda, educate, instigate and help organise local anti fascist activity more and more.

Nobody should be put off from taking part in the militant antifascist scene because they aren't fighters, all support is welcome. I know HLVS wasnt saying anything contrary to this, he was saying those in UAF are not militant antifascists (i.e. they are pissy liberals) not that they are not 'hard' enought to participate in militant antifascism.

[Melbourne Lefty]

Obviously anyone would be pleased if a good comrade went over to class struggle militant anti-fascism, but Antifa isn't really the sort of organisation to go recruiting openly amongst them. I think if someone decided to get into UAF, then they'd probably be the sort who prefers the more, shall we say, relaxed activities of UAF to something like Antifa. I don't think it'd go amiss if Antifa made itself known more so potential comrades could get involved - I am sure theres alot of guys and gals who could potentially be useful to the organisation - but obviously they have to be careful with what they do, and the likelihood of attracting people is quite small from such a group as UAF. I think most people who want to would find it anyway. I think militant anti-fascism will grow as a tactic as time goes on anyway and so people will be drawn to groups such as Antifa naturally.

How about antifa showing up at a UAF protest, making friends with a few non-SWPers and then going for a beer afterwards.

Int hat lull after a demo when people start wondering if they actually achieved anything, well antifa could pick up a few extra people.

[Dr Mindbender]

Obviously anyone would be pleased if a good comrade went over to class struggle militant anti-fascism, but Antifa isn't really the sort of organisation to go recruiting openly amongst them. I think if someone decided to get into UAF, then they'd probably be the sort who prefers the more, shall we say, relaxed activities of UAF to something like Antifa. I don't think it'd go amiss if Antifa made itself known more so potential comrades could get involved - I am sure theres alot of guys and gals who could potentially be useful to the organisation - but obviously they have to be careful with what they do, and the likelihood of attracting people is quite small from such a group as UAF. I think most people who want to would find it anyway. I think militant anti-fascism will grow as a tactic as time goes on anyway and so people will be drawn to groups such as Antifa naturally.

I dont see why antifa should be seen as the be all and end all of antifascism though- they are for the most part a youth group from what i've heard and seen (correct me if i'm talking bs, they arent active in NI) which to me has the potential to alienate a significant part, if not most of the labour movement.

The best antifascist activity i've been on was the sorts which incorporated the banners and faces of all different groups across the board - from trade unions to community groups, all together showing solidarity. To me the best organising group was the ANL, its a pity they're gone.

[Holden Caulfield]

you are talking bullshit

[Dr Mindbender]

you are talking bullshit

because....?

Wow, and you were accusing me of posting baseless slander.

What a hypocrite.