Sooooo, Socialist Workers Party calls for "new workers party"???

[h0m0revolutionary]

Workers Liberty calls for "new workers Party"
Workers Power calls for "new anti-capitalist party" etc.
etc. *yawn*

Think SWP, AWL et al will actually get something together on this?

or are they looking at NPA in France and wishing it could be replicated in Britain?

or worse, will eb see RESPECT version 2 :/

moreover, does anybody even care?

[redSHARP]

could you explain for us americas (okay, just me!:(). what are these parties envolved?

[Q]

The Socialist Party has the Campaign for a New Workers Party (http://www.cnwp.org.uk/) for a few years now, perhaps the SWP could join the efford?

[thejambo1]

it will never work as there is to many egos and differences between the left in britain. its a total shambles and totally fucked.:(

[teenagebricks]

If SWP genuinely wanted a major left wing alternative to Labour they would have done something about it already, considering they're the biggest leftist party in the country, if anyone could form such a party, it's them. SWP are too proud to form an alliance or unite with anyone but themselves, they proved this when they split with Respect.

Moreover, who cares about SWP? They're just Old Labour aren't they? I'd be much more inclined to support SP's CNWP.

[More Fire for the People]

Break my heart, I was hoping you meant SWP in the states.

[Zeus the Moose]

Break my heart, I was hoping you meant SWP in the states.

That wouldn't have made sense. We don't even have an old workers party, let alone the need for a new one (though any would be a step forward.) The SWP (US), however, did call for a "fighting labor party" during their 2008 election campaign, and other groups like the Socialist Party USA (which ran candidates) and the Freedom Socialist Party (which didn't) were calling for some sort of socialist electoral cooperation. Obviously not a mass campaign, but still a step in the right direction, though unfortunately there wasn't much concrete movement in that direction in 2008.

As for our comrades in the UK, best of luck. I can only hope that these statements are serious, and the groups are actually extending a broader hand toward some sort of unity. One of the hardest things about being non-sectarian is extending your hand toward other groups even if you've been slapped away before, and still think you'll be slapped away again. Someone's got to do the reaching out, though.

[The Feral Underclass]

It'll just be another Socialist Alliance.

[Sam_b]

SWP are too proud to form an alliance or unite with anyone but themselves, they proved this when they split with Respect.


It appears that you know precious little about the SWP then.


Moreover, who cares about SWP? They're just Old Labour aren't they?

You really don't have a fucking clue do you? Substanciate your claims.

[Revy]

What really has interested me is the perhaps unlikely possibility that the SP and SWP can work together on this, along with the other groups that would probably join (CPGB, AWL).

There does need to be another project like the Socialist Alliance, or socialists will just tire of being in these small parties and will join the Green Party in hopes of moving it to a socialist position (I've been reading on a blog called Socialist Unity, seems many are actually coming to that position).

I'm not British, I know, but I've been following everything over there with a lot of interest. And really, I've already made clear how much I don't like No2EU and those that seem to run it. I think that if No2EU manages to steal the show in creating "a new workers' party" the inevitable consequence is it's going to be privy to the same ideological failings No2EU was. No2EU/Bob Crow seem to be pushing this tactic, "As the nation goes right, so do we, the left". It makes you think, if No2EU does create a party, will it really be worth voting for over the Greens?

[Q]

What really has interested me is the perhaps unlikely possibility that the SP and SWP can work together on this, along with the other groups that would probably join (CPGB, AWL).
I would also like to see this.


There does need to be another project like the Socialist Alliance, or socialists will just tire of being in these small parties and will join the Green Party in hopes of moving it to a socialist position (I've been reading on a blog called Socialist Unity, seems many are actually coming to that position).
They have about 7500 member according to wikipedia, not exactly a mass party either.

[Sam_b]

I've been reading on a blog called Socialist Unity

I wouldn't, its slanderous trash of the highest order.

[Revy]

If SWP genuinely wanted a major left wing alternative to Labour they would have done something about it already, considering they're the biggest leftist party in the country, if anyone could form such a party, it's them. SWP are too proud to form an alliance or unite with anyone but themselves, they proved this when they split with Respect.

Moreover, who cares about SWP? They're just Old Labour aren't they? I'd be much more inclined to support SP's CNWP.

well...they don't seem to say that.



from: An open letter from the SWP (http://www.socialistunity.com/?p=4195)
The fact that there is no single, united left alternative to Labour means there was no clear answer available. The European election results demonstrate that the left of Labour vote was small, fragmented and dispersed. The Greens did not make significant gains either. The mass of Labour voters simply did not vote. We cannot afford a repeat of that.


The SWP is all too aware of the differences and difficulties involved in constructing such an alternative. We do not believe we have all the answers or a perfect prescription for a left wing alternative. But we do believe we have to urgently start a debate and begin planning to come together to offer such an alternative at the next election, with the awareness that Gordon Brown might not survive his full term. One simple step would be to convene a conference of all those committed to presenting candidates representing working class interests at the next election.Sorry to say it, but SWP seems to be taking a more active role. I am especially pleased with the use of the word "urgently" :p The SP's CNWP has lingered on for years without much traction.

"We do not believe we have all the answers" = they're looking for participation from other parties, the SP included.

[Sugar Hill Kevis]

We should all join the Turks.

[bellyscratch]

Ive just had a few emails in my inbox from the differrent parties about this, and saw the letter at a UAF meeting last night. Its amazing how the shock of the Nazis getting a seat can kick people up the arse. I've said before I think there will be a realignment of the left after the Euro elections, but didn't think the SWP would be involved in it, looks like I could be partly wrong. Every cloud has a silver lining... possibly?

[BobKKKindle$]

The OP is either lying or has not read the letter clearly enough. There is no mention of the SWP wanting to create a new party of any kind. I don't think that SP's strategy of trying to create a "new workers party" is a good example to follow because what they are basically trying to do is re-create the old Labour Party, i.e. a reformist organization that would advocate Keynesian and protectionist policies, whereas we are interested in building a revolutionary party, and overthrowing the capitalist system. What the letter does say is that the SWP wants to form a "left wing alternative" with other parties, given the current lack of a progressive electoral option. It's too early to tell whether this is going to produce any results, but this suggests nothing more than a common electoral front, which is not the same as a party. I don't know about other SWP members but I personally have no interest in merging with the SP or any other grouping - there are definite political differences between us and them, especially concerning anti-imperialism and internationalism, as demonstrated during the Lindsey strikes.


they proved this when they split with Respect.The SWP did not "split" RESPECT at all, especially not for the reasons that you're implying. We entered into RESPECT because it had an organic connection with the anti-war movement, but disagreements later arose between us and other individuals who were part of the organization and wanted it to become a communitarian campaign, focused around the concerns of the Muslim community, instead of being orientated towards class struggle. The SWP has been roundly criticized for becoming part of RESPECT on those grounds - that it was communitarian and not socialist - so it's inconsistent to also criticize us for trying to move it in a more socialist direction and getting forced out as a result of those attempts. There are many things you can say about RESPECT and George Galloway, but try and make your criticisms internally coherent.

[Pogue]

I'd say the main hope is in the CNWP, but I think its futile because it'll just sell out. The SWP take a different approach to the SP - the SP want to be the party to initiate a new workers party, the SWP want to be the vanguard party which leads the working clas sinto revolution.

In my opinion both approaches are equally flawed.

[Q]

I'd say the main hope is in the CNWP, but I think its futile because it'll just sell out. The SWP take a different approach to the SP - the SP want to be the party to initiate a new workers party, the SWP want to be the vanguard party which leads the working clas sinto revolution.

In my opinion both approaches are equally flawed.
So, what should happen then?

[Pogue]

So, what should happen then?

What do you mean?

[Q]

What do you mean?
You know, to organise the working class, bring forward a political alternative, have a class collective organisation? What should happen to achieve that?

[Pogue]

You know, to organise the working class, bring forward a political alternative, have a class collective organisation? What should happen to achieve that?


Are you basically asking me what my political ideology is?

[Q]

Are you basically asking me what my political ideology is?
Yes and no. I'm not interested in what Bakunin thought in the 1800s or what Makhno did. All I hear from anarchists today is that they oppose political parties. Fine then, what is your political and organisational alternative?

[Pogue]

Yes and no. I'm not interested in what Bakunin thought in the 1800s or what Makhno did. All I hear from anarchists today is that they oppose political parties. Fine then, what is your political and organisational alternative?

Where the fuck did the Bakunin and Makhno bit come from? I've never quoted either of those two and only ever mentioned Makhno on one, maybe two occasions.

Yeh we oppose political parties. I oppose the vanguard party because it leads to a party dictatorship. I don't see how an organisation which see's itself as the self procalimed leadership of the masses will lead to anything toher than a repreoduction of the ruling class, as we saw in the USSR. I think such a position alienates the masses from destroying capitalism and establishing socialism, and reproduces bourgeoisie ideas of the need for a coherent and 'proffesional' leadership. What will happen to the party and vanguard during and after a revolution? Do you really think it'll be happy to just give power to the workers? I highly doubt it.

I reject the CNWP because I don't see what will prevent it from becoming a new reformist group. It wants to basically do what workers did with the Labour Party did in the start of the 20th century and set up a mass workers party through the unions. I don't see where the revolution comes into this or how such a party aims to avoid being swollowed up into the capitalist system, especially as they want to compete in elections. Trotskyism, like all Leninist derivatives, with all its rubbish about transitional demands and periods, is just begging for degeneracy, elitism and capitulation and I want no part of it.

What I advocate are mass organisations of the working class in which struggle to establish libertarian socialism. I have influences from anarcho-syndcialism in the need for a revolutionary union which through struggle, the practice of solidarity, direct action and political discussion, alongside revolutionary militants, workers become the new revolutionary militants and can build a revolution with a strong and educated working class. I also believe in the creation of councils in the community, manifested in this period through residents associations which will slowly go stronger as struggle progresses, oncemore demonstrating the benefits of mutual aid and direct action, eventually leading to a situation where the mass union and the workers councils that arise from the class struggle (both out of the union and with workers outside it who follow that natural form of organisation manifested by strike committees and mass assemblies) can join up with the residents associations and revolutionary, class strugglist organs and completely annihilate the state and capitalism.

I thus think the task of revolutionaries is to spread ideas and agitate workers in these ideas of mass assemblies and organised workplaces in which we do things for ourselves rather than relying on other people. We should also tyr to build up organisations in the here and now so that we get a base of workers, as many as possible, before a revolution happens who are organised, experienced and educated, through the unions and the community groups which will give them experience and ideas which will let us combat capitalism and the state. I do not assume that we could organise eveyr single worker in the world into our one big union, I just hope we could get a significant amount, and through a 'leadership of ideas' and agitation, linking up and general expressions of the clearly needed solidarity of the working class, our ideas will spread until everyone is organised in a libertarian socialist manner, at which point our union(s), residents associations and community groups can federate into a confederation of the working class which will fight together to annihilate capitalism and the state. The revolution will be on going and constantly as revolutionaries we will fight to aid our comrades in their own emancipation, whilst aiming to prevent the degenration or capitulation of our movement to the state, capital, or bourgeoisie ideas of the needs for say, a workers state.

[teenagebricks]

You really don't have a fucking clue do you? Substanciate your claims.
I see no real difference. Both liked to throw slogans around and use big words like "socialism" but neither had or still have any interest in actually implementing it in my opinion. Nothing personal pal, I just don't "get" them, overall I find them reformist, undemocratic and entirely counter productive, but I could also say that for any other "socialist party" in this country.

The SWP did not "split" RESPECT at all, especially not for the reasons that you're implying. We entered into RESPECT because it had an organic connection with the anti-war movement, but disagreements later arose between us and other individuals who were part of the organization and wanted it to become a communitarian campaign, focused around the concerns of the Muslim community, instead of being orientated towards class struggle. The SWP has been roundly criticized for becoming part of RESPECT on those grounds - that it was communitarian and not socialist - so it's inconsistent to also criticize us for trying to move it in a more socialist direction and getting forced out as a result of those attempts. There are many things you can say about RESPECT and George Galloway, but try and make your criticisms internally coherent.
Fair enough, perhaps Respect was a bad example, regardless, I don't think SWP can, or will form a successful united left party. However, like I said, my criticisms are not only of SWP, frankly I think just about all modern British socialist parties are pretty useless.

[The Ungovernable Farce]

I'm sure this'll be a huge success. Just like the Socialist Alliance, Respect, the Scottish Socialist Party, and Solidarity have been. Basically, there's no getting around the fact that Alex Callinicos, Peter Taaffe, and Sean Matgamna can't all have the biggest dick at the same time.

[pastradamus]

The left in Britain is far too arrogant about themselves to ever achieve any type of fruition. Too many ego's, too many groups, too many splits and any party which makes George Galloway its leader is just plain stupid.

THE LEFT IN THE UK NEEDS ONE THING.........


PARTY WHIP

[Hit The North]

I'm sure this'll be a huge success. Just like the Socialist Alliance, Respect, the Scottish Socialist Party, and Solidarity have been. Basically, there's no getting around the fact that Alex Callinicos, Peter Taaffe, and Sean Matgamna can't all have the biggest dick at the same time.

What an elegant analysis. You, sir, are an intellectual of the first order.

Btw, I've added a question-mark to the end of this thread's title, given the ambiguity of the SWP statement.

[scarletghoul]

urgh, we really dont need a "new workers party". weve got like a million as it is. unless they mean a new alliance of existing parties, but thats just silly coming from the swp.
or maybe theyre gonna try to rebrand themselves?

[Wanted Man]

What is a "new workers party"? A revolutionary party? Or just a new reformist party of the kind that's already growing in Europe (and quickly getting more accomodated to the cushy jobs...)?

[Martin Blank]

What is a "new workers party"? A revolutionary party? Or just a new reformist party of the kind that's already growing in Europe (and quickly getting more accommodated to the cushy jobs...)?

From what I've seen, "new workers party", when used by the British left, is code for "pre-1980 Labour Party". Draw your own conclusions on what that means.

[mikelepore]

Question -- about parties that call for a new party --why don't they consider themselves to be that party?

[teenagebricks]

My thoughts exactly. I believe that each socialist party wants to unite the left into one big coalition, the problem is that they all want to control that coalition, that way they get more votes and support, but don't have to give up any of their pride because the left would be united under their own banner. Of course, this is to be expected, after all they are would be politicians, and politicians are - with a few exceptions - a bunch of wankers.

[Tower of Bebel]

Question -- about parties that call for a new party --why don't they consider themselves to be that party?
Another problem is that some may really think they are that party. As a result they either liquidate their "revolutionary organization" in order to become something "broad"; or they set up temporary left projects or "united fronts" in which they can play the parasite.

[Die Neue Zeit]

Yeh we oppose political parties. I oppose the vanguard party because it leads to a party dictatorship.

[...]

I reject the CNWP because I don't see what will prevent it from becoming a new reformist group. It wants to basically do what workers did with the Labour Party did in the start of the 20th century and set up a mass workers party through the unions. I don't see where the revolution comes into this or how such a party aims to avoid being swollowed up into the capitalist system, especially as they want to compete in elections.

What I advocate are mass organisations of the working class in which struggle to establish libertarian socialism.

1) In light of my SPD musings, please define the term "vanguard party."

2) There are ways for party-movements (as opposed to mere electioneering machines or outright sects calling themselves "parties") to avoid being swallowed up while still competing in elections. The most important thing in all of this is to avoid participation in those aspects of the system that cannot enact "constitutional amendments" - coalition governments at any level (national and provincial) and also municipal politics in general - because they cannot implement fully the political demands for the DOTP like the petit-bourgeois Paris Commune did.


I also believe in the creation of councils in the community, manifested in this period through residents associations which will slowly go stronger as struggle progresses, once more demonstrating the benefits of mutual aid and direct action, eventually leading to a situation where the mass union and the workers councils that arise from the class struggle (both out of the union and with workers outside it who follow that natural form of organisation manifested by strike committees and mass assemblies) can join up with the residents associations and revolutionary, class strugglist organs and completely annihilate the state and capitalism.

I thus think the task of revolutionaries is to spread ideas and agitate workers in these ideas of mass assemblies and organised workplaces in which we do things for ourselves rather than relying on other people. We should also try to build up organisations in the here and now so that we get a base of workers, as many as possible, before a revolution happens who are organised, experienced and educated, through the unions and the community groups which will give them experience and ideas which will let us combat capitalism and the state.

Your organizational commitment is quite admirable ("building up organizations in the here and now before a revolution happens"), but contradicts your opposition to party-movements.




Another problem is that some may really think they are that party. As a result they either liquidate their "revolutionary organization" in order to become something "broad"; or they set up temporary left projects or "united fronts" in which they can play the parasite.

What a rather creative word you used to describe most parties' "frontism." :thumbup1:

[redarmyfaction38]

Workers Liberty calls for "new workers Party"
Workers Power calls for "new anti-capitalist party" etc.
etc. *yawn*

Think SWP, AWL et al will actually get something together on this?

or are they looking at NPA in France and wishing it could be replicated in Britain?

or worse, will eb see RESPECT version 2 :/

moreover, does anybody even care?

i don't know mate, regardless of what left political faction you might or might not belong to, there is a massive lesson for all of us to learn from the likes of the european elections.
in britain 2/3 rds of the electorate failed to vote, if the disaffection with the political system and the capitalist system is so widespread, why? did we on the left, let alone the revolutionary left fail so badly to inspire the majority?
why was indifference and disbelief the order of the day when the anger of ordinary working people was so apparent across europe?
workers have fought capitalism, national and international in the workplace and secured important victories, workers have fought govt. policies and defeated or delayed them across europe and so on, but none of this was truly reflected in european elections.
some might argue that the organised or class conscious working class has moved beyond electoral politics, maybe, but usually, this is refected in a "left" vote in parliamentary/european elections by those sections of our class that are presently lagging behind the "vanguard".

[Elucidate]

Following the European Election results, the call for a re-alignment of the left is not surprising. I am however, surprised that the Socialist Workers Party are amongst those calling for one. The sad truth is that the Left was totally inadequate in connecting with voters' concerns during the Local and European Elections recently. It is quite staggering, that following the so-called "Credit Crunch" and the total discrediting of the Capitalist Banking System, the Left still totally failed in achieving a connection with the Working Class!. The ignoring of industrial disputes, and branding them "nationalist" and "reactionary" only further distanced the Left from relating to a Working Class worried about jobs and Globalisation etc. The start truth is, the SWP in putting most of it's resources into the Anti-War movement has been absent from involvement in Workers' issues. This turnaround must be a reaction to this, but I for one, don't hold out much hope for a new party. I say this as someone who was an SWP member for ten years. The absence of real organised workers' struggles means that electoralism, and the formation of yet another "new" socialist party is what is needed! The real answer is to stop "navel gazing" and actually go out into communities and relate to what is happening to real people, for that is where the kernel of a new socialist party with be formed, not by the egotistical pompousity of the likes of Callinicos & Co!

[redarmyfaction38]

Following the European Election results, the call for a re-alignment of the left is not surprising. I am however, surprised that the Socialist Workers Party are amongst those calling for one. The sad truth is that the Left was totally inadequate in connecting with voters' concerns during the Local and European Elections recently. It is quite staggering, that following the so-called "Credit Crunch" and the total discrediting of the Capitalist Banking System, the Left still totally failed in achieving a connection with the Working Class!. The ignoring of industrial disputes, and branding them "nationalist" and "reactionary" only further distanced the Left from relating to a Working Class worried about jobs and Globalisation etc. The start truth is, the SWP in putting most of it's resources into the Anti-War movement has been absent from involvement in Workers' issues. This turnaround must be a reaction to this, but I for one, don't hold out much hope for a new party. I say this as someone who was an SWP member for ten years. The absence of real organised workers' struggles means that electoralism, and the formation of yet another "new" socialist party is what is needed! The real answer is to stop "navel gazing" and actually go out into communities and relate to what is happening to real people, for that is where the kernel of a new socialist party with be formed, not by the egotistical pompousity of the likes of Callinicos & Co!

i agree with most of that post but would argue that the swp are not the only "guilty" party.
all of us, even parties like the socialist party, that i generally support, are "guilty" to a lesser or greater extent when it comes to actually reflecting the capacity of working class people to act for themselves.
i suggest, that collectively, as revolutionary parties, we tend to be more interested in proving our political "point" than carrying out our common ambition.
i would suggest, that we reflect the attitudes of borguois political parties, rather than the atitudes of the majority of the working class in this respect.

[Klute77]

I live and work in the west coast of Scotland and area which has traditionally voted Labour. When talking to colleagues and friends in the aftermath of the European Elections I was not surprised to learn that none had voted. For Example in the group of women I work with out of 8 of us only I voted. When I asked why the answers I got were predictable e.g. not caring or having any interest in politics and the feeling that their vote would be irrelevant anyway. I feel that the reason the working class people did not vote and in particular did not vote for left wing groups is twofold. Firstly the identity of working class people as a group is all but completely eroded. Many people who are working class would simply not apply that term to themselves, they may hold degrees, own their home or have a management position and it’s possible that such things may lead people to believe that they live in a meritocractic society and that class is no longer an issue. The truth is that for many working class people things are just not as tough in the way they were for our parents and grandparents and class struggle can seem irrelevant. When our identity as a group is erased we have little sense of our power (or if we do we are afraid to use it e.g. workers are afraid to take militant action because it's often possible that jobs can be sent overseas).

In the past it has been pointed out that the exhausting nature and deafening noise of industrial labour made the study of Marxism difficult for the working classes. Today the working classes are prey to more insidious distractions which I'm sure I need not detail. However regardless of that the fact remains that the majority of working class people are not interested in owning the means of production they just want things to be a bit better; job security, better pay, more benefits, a fairer society which brings me to my second point. In the UK we do not have a viable left wing party which your average disenfranchised Labour voter can relate to. As has been pointed out before in this thread the left is variously too divided, too militant, too intellectual, too radical and so on to appeal to the "working class" of today. Britain is a middle of the road society. We were granted our democracy it wasn't won through revolution and so under the surface of a democratic system the old order still stands. Revolution is appealing in that it would give us the chance to create a new society but most people in the UK don't want a revolution. This really is a time of great opportunity for the left, if they would only be realistic about what people are prepared accept or do.

It is all very well for us to read our Marx and hold our passionate beliefs in the power of revolution but to have any chance at real socialism we need to compromise and more than likely find a way of fitting in with the current parliamentary system. H-L-V-S makes some really great points and many ways what he suggests is ideal but from where we are to that point is a massive leap that the British people will not make. I would like to see some sort of alliance in the left and I'd like to see the Unions withdraw funding from New Labour (part privatisation of the PO is merely the last straw). I understand the fundamental differences in ideology that parties in the left have but surely it's time we stopped playing intellectual one-upmanship and focused on what can really be done. I do sincerely believe that there is fertile ground out there for the left and that in the current climate people for the first time in decades are ready to become both politically aware and active and if the left don't get it together and offer people something they can relate to it leaves the door wide open for groups like the SNP or worse the BNP.

[Forward Union]

I'd say the main hope is in the CNWP, but I think its futile because it'll just sell out. The SWP take a different approach to the SP - the SP want to be the party to initiate a new workers party, the SWP want to be the vanguard party which leads the working clas sinto revolution.

In my opinion both approaches are equally flawed.

Also because they are trying to from a new party built on and supported by the trade unions (thats what they mean by workers party)

But union density in this country is about 17% (in 1995 it was 35.3%, in the 70s it was near 80%). Anarchists (should at least) hope to organise their fellow workers and build the rank and file up within unions, on the shop floor, whilst fighting for democracy and membership participation within the Unions.Socialist organisations on the other hand are designed to do nothing more than use already existing working class organisation as a base for political power. In Socialist ideology workers should be forming their own unions, it's the bit after that they're too stupid to get, so the party must step in and lead them from there. Unfortunately for the trots, the base they are trying to build on is imaginary.

As there is no organised working class, very little class consciousness or militancy, the trots are playing with air. The Anarchists are simply in a much better position and have much better organisational plans that the outdated and declining trots.

[Forward Union]

Yes and no. I'm not interested in what Bakunin thought in the 1800s or what Makhno did. All I hear from anarchists today is that they oppose political parties. Fine then, what is your political and organisational alternative?

I think that's basically rediculous. The organisation I am in has some very in depth community and workplace strategies. I think you're old enough to know what the anarchists' various organisational alternatives are. Or have you simply not read anything by the CGT, SAC, Alternative Libertaire or any of the other mass anarchist organisations. Perhaps you are oblivious to their existance?

But I don't think you are in any position to criticise the Anarchists' plan of action. What even is it you lot plan to do? I can't wait to hear your organisational alternative.

[bellyscratch]

I went to a meeting in Gateshead about this, and there was some positives and negatives to be taken out of it.

I think I'll start with the positives. There seems to be a clear indication that the SWP is wanting an open debate involving all parties and activists on the left to see what everyone thinks is the best idea for the left to work together, and there was lots of indication of it being a grassroots led initative. There was someone from the PCS at the meeting saying that at the next general election, they will fund candidates who run on a pro-worker, pro-public service platform (whether they back a specific party/coalition depends on what happens in the future). There were quite a few local non-affiliated activists (like myself) that came along willing to actually do something as well as someone from the Alliance for Workers Liberty, who are backing the idea. It was also made clear that any activity in the elections that may take place from this, should not stand against anyone who is a potential ally eg, Greens, left Labour candiates, left Independent candidates, SLP etc. The last thing I think, is that this new initative is by no means going to be a replacement for any revolutionary ideas, and is mainly a way for to get a platform and to help the left be more united.

Now the negatives. Nobody involved in the No2EU campaign botherd to come along, which is a massive shame. There are a few people from the Socialist Party, Communist Party and RMT active in the local area too, and I'm not sure what excuse they have for not showing any interest. My guess is that they just don't want to be involved with the SWP, and any new party that they want to form seems to just want to exclude SWP from being involved (like they did with No2EU). From what I gather also, any new party that they form, is going to be another top down organisation with little influence from activists. I'm just starting to see to rival factions developing in the left, and unless they can unite its going to be a disaster.