Any good left organizations in the uk

[redmarxist90]

I was just posting this article to inquire if there is any leftie organizations in the UK. I mean i know about the SWP and labour being supposedly left. I was just wondering if there was any other groups.

[OneNamedNameLess]

Not much on offer. What are you looking for tendency wise?

Here is is a list of left groups by wiki http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_left

Check out the bottom and ignore the Labour Party crap. I'm sure your wise enough not to join.

[kharacter]

The Anarchist Federation would be my recommendation, if you're at all interested in anarcho-communism.

[redmarxist90]

Check out the bottom and ignore the Labour Party crap. I'm sure your wise enough not to join.[/QUOTE]

I am, regretably, a member. I am, however, going to be quitting as they are.... well as you said crap. I mean they are no longer a moderate left organization but instead more of a right wing party in ideological terms.

[*Viva La Revolucion*]

I agree with you on that - I used to be supportive of Labour, but they're becoming more and more right-wing.

Like Anti-Capitalist said, it depends what ''tendency'' you are. I liked the look of the Socialist Party (socialist alternative?) and the CPB, but I don't really know. :( Honestly, I think there are far too many minor left-wing groups and it's a shame that they can't agree for long enough to actually make an impact.

[redmarxist90]

at the minute i would say that i have old labour, trade unionist tendencies. But I'm looking at other areas of socialism/ communism and taking it from there

[revolution inaction]

it depends on what you mean by left, there are quite a range on organisations on the left and others who could be considered as left but don't consider them self to be part of the left.
We (the anarchist federation (http://www.afed.org.uk/)) don't consider ourselves as part of the left, we recently published this article (http://www.afed.org.uk/blog/historical/113-anarchist-federation-neither-left-nor-right.html) on our blog about why.

[kharacter]

it depends on what you mean by left, there are quite a range on organisations on the left and others who could be considered as left but don't consider them self to be part of the left.
We (the anarchist federation (http://www.afed.org.uk/)) don't consider ourselves as part of the left, we recently published this article (http://www.afed.org.uk/blog/historical/113-anarchist-federation-neither-left-nor-right.html) on our blog about why.
I seriously was not aware of this. Now I'm not in any position to argue with such a massive representation of fellow anarcho-communists, but I fear that by abandoning the usage of the term "left" to describe themselves, they will be alienating themselves from other leftists, and I think will probably be necessary to make alliances with these when the struggle against capitalism reaches a climax. I think it's probably naive to think that when the revolution comes, everyone on our side will be anarcho-communist. Maybe I'm being too pessimistic, and just need reassurance.

[Die Rote Fahne]

I was just posting this article to inquire if there is any leftie organizations in the UK. I mean i know about the SWP and labour being supposedly left. I was just wondering if there was any other groups.

Labour is not left.

The RESPECT party is socialist.

I'm sure Britain has a large Antifa organization that could be found.

The CPB is around.

[Q]

I was just posting this article to inquire if there is any leftie organizations in the UK. I mean i know about the SWP and labour being supposedly left. I was just wondering if there was any other groups.
Emphasised supposedly :D

I'll point to the Socialist Party (http://socialistparty.org.uk/).

[cb9's_unity]

it depends on what you mean by left, there are quite a range on organisations on the left and others who could be considered as left but don't consider them self to be part of the left.
We (the anarchist federation (http://www.afed.org.uk/)) don't consider ourselves as part of the left, we recently published this article (http://www.afed.org.uk/blog/historical/113-anarchist-federation-neither-left-nor-right.html) on our blog about why.

I'm sorry but that article is nothing but nose in the air idealistic garbage. Right now is not the time for a war on modern political lingo. The left is not the "left wing of capitalism" but instead for the most part vehemently against capitalism.

If you are in modern politics you are attached to the left or the right. You are more collectivist or more 'individualist' in your economic beliefs, its something no party can really escape. To say you want to be "neither left nor right, but liberated and free" is almost childish.

[Revy]

The Communist Party of Great Britain (http://www.cpgb.org.uk).:)

[ZeroNowhere]

Emphasised supposedly :D

I'll point to the Socialist Party (http://socialistparty.org.uk/).
Hm, if that's all we're going to do...

I'll point to the Socialist Party (http://www.worldsocialism.org/spgb/).


The left is not the "left wing of capitalism" but instead for the most part vehemently against capitalism.The left is for the most part vehemently against capitalism? I have not noticed it, mostly they wish to reform it. Thus, even if not using the 'left is reformist by definition' thing, we still use the term 'revolutionary left' to differentiate ourselves from reformists. And, to be honest, the people saying that they aren't on the 'left' do have a point. Most models of the left-right spectrum are simply a continuous line, whereas continuity between the increase of state intervention in a capitalist economy and socialist society, classless and therefore stateless, are pretty much just not there, so the whole thing collapses except for vague notions of 'collectivism' or 'individualism' (and, since Marxists have no intention of setting up 'society' as an abstraction vis-à-vis the individual, we may have a problem here).

[Sam_b]

If you're looking for the "smallest mass organisation", I would reccommend joining the SWP. Are you familiar with us or our newspaper, Socialist Worker?

[Stranger Than Paradise]

The article on Wikipedia is very narrow. It only includes groups who participate in parliamentary politics which leaves out all the Anarchist groups of course.

[OneNamedNameLess]

If you're looking for the "smallest mass organisation", I would reccommend joining the SWP. Are you familiar with us or our newspaper, Socialist Worker?

I was going to comment on that but I decided not too ;)

Do you work Craig or are you studying or what?

[Mather]

Some anarchist links:

Anarchist Federation: www.afed.org.uk (http://www.afed.org.uk)

Solidarity Federation: www.solfed.org.uk (http://www.solfed.org.uk)

Liberty and Solidarity: www.libertyandsolidarity.org (http://www.libertyandsolidarity.org)

Class War: www.londonclasswar.org (http://www.londonclasswar.org)

Industrial Workers of
the World: www.iww.org.uk (http://www.iww.org.uk/)

London Coalition
Against Poverty: www.lcap.org.uk (http://www.lcap.org.uk)

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

Earth First!: www.earthfirst.org.uk (http://www.earthfirst.org.uk)

Libcom: www.libcom.org (http://www.libcom.org)

[Radical]

It all depends on your tendency.

It sounds like you first need to decide weather you follow the line of the pacifist revisionist "Leon Trotsky", or the only way forward (Karl Marx & Lenin).

Thankfully the Majority of Communists are Marxist-Lennists. However, here in the United Kingdom we have a huge influence of Trotskyism.

[Jorge Miguel]

Communist Party of Great Britain (Marxist-Leninist) seem to be the most active Marxist-Leninist party in the UK.

http://www.cpgb-ml.org/

[redmarxist90]

[/QUOTE]Do you work Craig or are you studying or what?[/QUOTE]

I'm just about to go to uni and i work part time

[OneNamedNameLess]

It all depends on your tendency.

It sounds like you first need to decide weather you follow the line of the pacifist revisionist "Leon Trotsky", or the only way forward (Karl Marx & Lenin).

Thankfully the Majority of Communists are Marxist-Lennists. However, here in the United Kingdom we have a huge influence of Trotskyism.

No offense but I don't understand why you are with the SWP.

You should have no problem getting active at uni Craig08.

[Q]

If you're looking for the "smallest mass organisation", I would reccommend joining the SWP.
Is that what you call yourself these days?

[*Viva La Revolucion*]

You should have no problem getting active at uni Craig08.

True. You'll probably be able to find a socialist or communist student society wherever you're going.

[The Ungovernable Farce]

It all depends on your tendency.

It sounds like you first need to decide weather you follow the line of the pacifist revisionist "Leon Trotsky", or the only way forward (Karl Marx & Lenin).

Thankfully the Majority of Communists are Marxist-Lennists. However, here in the United Kingdom we have a huge influence of Trotskyism.
Are you still in the SWP? Please tell me you're still in the SWP.

[Sam_b]

pacifist revisionist "Leon Trotsky"

Why the hell are you in our party then? You seem to disagree with practically every single SWP position.

[Led Zeppelin]

Why the hell are you in our party then? You seem to disagree with practically every single SWP position.

Maybe he's performing deep entryism in the hopes of turning the pacifist revisionist Trotskyite dominated SWP into a Marxist-Leninist vanguard party. :)

[Niccolò Rossi]

Why the hell are you in our party then? You seem to disagree with practically every single SWP position.

Why not ask yourself? What the hell is he doing in your party then? Are the SWP interested in creating a party of political militants or recruitment for recruitments sake without any basis of political agreeement?

[Devrim]

Why the hell are you in our party then? You seem to disagree with practically every single SWP position.

Maybe the question is why a political organisation allows people to be members who disagree with all their political positions.

Could it be that the SWP will recruit first then find out about someones politics later?

Devrim

[Forward Union]

Workers Revolutionary Party

www.wrp.org.uk (http://www.wrp.org.uk) :rolleyes:

[The Ungovernable Farce]

Why the hell are you in our party then? You seem to disagree with practically every single SWP position.


The SWP is a broad organization, so we don't think it's necessary that you agree with everything we say in order to become a member, in contrast to other organizations which actually use tests and candidate periods to determine whether someone is "ready" to become a member. I think our approach is a lot more egalitarian and open than other organizations on the left.
Or, apparently, with anything you say.

Maybe this should be split into a new thread, since the OP actually had a genuine question that doesn't really need to be derailed with another long discussion of the SWP's bizarre attitude to its members?

[Radical]

No offense but I don't understand why you are with the SWP.

You should have no problem getting active at uni Craig08.

I dont consider myself in the SWP. I dont think theres a way to cancel me out. They go against almost everything I believe in. I certainly dont donate to the SWP. It was a mistake joining and I knew that from the very second I signed the form.

The simple reason why people call me SWP is because I signed that form after much persuasion. First they drag me in, then they ask me why the fuck I'm in.

Its a pretty fucked up way to recruit. Begging people to join the party and then wonder why they dont agree with its politics.

[The Idler]

Craig, I started a list of parties in the UK here (http://eng.anarchopedia.org/List_of_Left-Wing_Parties_in_the_United_Kingdom), there are about 30. Understanding the differences between the majority of these might help you choose a party long-term which shares your ideas in detail.

If you just want to chat left politics on campus or campaign against capitalist war, any of them will do on a short-term basis. See which one is at your freshers fair and be aware some might have a table outside.

[communard resolution]

I dont consider myself in the SWP. I dont think theres a way to cancel me out. They go against almost everything I believe in. I certainly dont donate to the SWP. It was a mistake joining and I knew that from the very second I signed the form.

The simple reason why people call me SWP is because I signed that form after much persuasion. First they drag me in, then they ask me why the fuck I'm in.

Its a pretty fucked up way to recruit. Begging people to join the party and then wonder why they dont agree with its politics.

Sorry dude, but this is bizarre. Can you not think for yourself? I mean, what did they do to make you sign that dotted line? Hypnotise you or give you a date rape drug?

[Radical]

Sorry dude, but this is bizarre. Can you not think for yourself? I mean, what did they do to make you sign that dotted line? Hypnotise you or give you a date rape drug?

I never said they made me - I said they begged me

And as I've already said, it was a mistake from the very start

[bailey_187]

I would recommend with the Revolutionary Communist Group or the Communist Paty of Great Britain (Marxist-leninist)

I'm stuck between the two

[The Idler]

I would recommend with the Revolutionary Communist Group or the Communist Paty of Great Britain (Marxist-leninist)

I'm stuck between the two
It's probably a tough call between which offers less free debate. Criticise Cuba at an RCG meeting or any state-capitalist regime (DPRK, PRC, ZANU-PF) at a CPGB(M-L) meeting and watch the reaction. Funnily enough, they seemingly even dislike each other (http://www.google.com/search?q=revolutionary-communist-group+site%3Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.lalkar.org). If you thought the SWP lacked a democratic culture, check out these guys.

[bailey_187]

It's probably a tough call between which offers less free debate. Criticise Cuba at an RCG meeting or any state-capitalist regime (DPRK, PRC, ZANU-PF) at a CPGB(M-L) meeting and watch the reaction. Funnily enough, they seemingly even dislike each other (http://www.google.com/search?q=revolutionary-communist-group+site%3Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.lalkar.org). If you thought the SWP lacked a democratic culture, check out these guys.

He didnt ask for a debating club.

People in the RCG i have met say they view themselves closest to the CPGB-ML and always act friendly at demos together. Of course they have differences, or they would be one party.

[Eat the Rich]

I'd reccomend Socialist Appeal for my part.
You can check out their site by clicking on the link at my signature :)

[Magdalen]

Note that all of the articles from Lalkar criticising the RCG predate the CPGB(ML)'s split from Arthur Scargill's Socialist Labour Party.

Being involved with the RCG in Scotland, I don't have much direct experience of the CPGB(ML), but I've heard positive things about them from comrades south of the border. However, their uncritical stance towards the Chinese Communist Party leaves much to be desired. (This is, strangely enough, a reversal of the CPGB(ML)'s far more progressive position with regards to China). They also have virtually no presence outside of London.

Darreljon, why make a groundless assertion about two organisations you've probably never encountered? Your choice of Noam Chomsky as an avatar is also very telling.

[The Idler]

Note that all of the articles from Lalkar criticising the RCG predate the CPGB(ML)'s split from Arthur Scargill's Socialist Labour Party.

Being involved with the RCG in Scotland, I don't have much direct experience of the CPGB(ML), but I've heard positive things about them from comrades south of the border. However, their uncritical stance towards the Chinese Communist Party leaves much to be desired. (This is, strangely enough, a reversal of the CPGB(ML)'s far more progressive position with regards to China). They also have virtually no presence outside of London.

Darreljon, why make a groundless assertion about two organisations you've probably never encountered? Your choice of Noam Chomsky as an avatar is also very telling.Well as someone who was involved with RCG, the classic RCG response to criticism (especially of Cuba) is to shut down debate. Classic sore points are the lack of an equal wage policy, or the democratic setup or why locals weren't allowed on Varadero beach tourist complexes (can't see Chomsky endorsing this anytime soon). They have an original strategy in Britain compared to other groups, which seems to involve flying the Cuban flag a lot both literally and figuratively. I can see the potency of this tactic in say Miami or even the US, but in your average city in the UK (without a large Hispanic community) I can't help thinking its a bit lost on most members of the general public.

Your point about Lalkar articles might be fair though.

[Pogue]

look in my sig

[Magdalen]

Well as someone who was involved with RCG, the classic RCG response to criticism (especially of Cuba) is to shut down debate. Classic sore points are the lack of an equal wage policy, or the democratic setup or why locals weren't allowed on Varadero beach tourist complexes (can't see Chomsky endorsing this anytime soon). They have an original strategy in Britain compared to other groups, which seems to involve flying the Cuban flag a lot both literally and figuratively. I can see the potency of this tactic in say Miami or even the US, but in your average city in the UK (without a large Hispanic community) I can't help thinking its a bit lost on most members of the general public.

Your point about Lalkar articles might be fair though.

Your claim that 'the classic RCG response to criticism (especially of Cuba)' is ludicrous. Indeed, the RCG recently participated in a debate on Cuba with the AWL at the AWL's Ideas For Freedom event. (Here are the RCG (http://www.revolutionarycommunist.org/frfipages/210/210_awl.html)[/URL] and AWL (http://www.revolutionarycommunist.org/frfipages/210.html) reports on the event respectively). The reasoning behind the change in Cuba's policy with regards to wages has been explained repeatedly by both the RCG and the Cubans themselves. Here's (http://www.revolutionarycommunist.org/frfipages/204/FRFI_204_cu1.html) a link to Helen Yaffe's FRFI article on the subject, which was also published in The Guardian as a comment piece. I've also made some posts on it which I can dig up if you wish. On Cuba's democratic system, [U]this (http://www.cuba-solidarity.org/democracy.htm) is an old article from the website of the CSC. (Despite the CSC being dominated by those from the foulest depths of the poltically bankrupt Labour left, this article's right on the money). Your claim about segregated beaches in Varadero, or anywhere else in Cuba, is false, and originates from the right-wing Cuban-American press. Finally, your rather odd criticism that flying the Cuban flag on many of our stalls (normally alongside that of Palestine) and defending the Cuban Revolution is lost on the general public is baseless. Indeed, I've found that our meetings on Cuba probably attract larger crowds than those on any other subject. Cuba allows us, as socialists in what Martí called 'the belly of the beast', to show a living, breathing alternative to the mayhem and misery of capitalism.

[Radical]

I would recommend with the Revolutionary Communist Group or the Communist Paty of Great Britain (Marxist-leninist)

I'm stuck between the two

I am also deciding on the same thing you are. However in RCG you are expected to participate in events atleast twice a week. It's something I support and encourage but I'm about to start a full time course and I also work.

[The Idler]

Your claim that 'the classic RCG response to criticism (especially of Cuba)' is ludicrous. Indeed, the RCG recently participated in a debate on Cuba with the AWL at the AWL's Ideas For Freedom event. (Here are the RCG (http://www.revolutionarycommunist.org/frfipages/210/210_awl.html) and AWL (http://www.workersliberty.org/story/2009/08/02/reflections-fascism-and-communism) reports on the event respectively).I quote with my emphases below;

Why does the British left attack Cuba?

On Saturday 11 July, Rock around the Blockade (RATB) supporters were subjected to a stream of anti-Cuban prejudice when the organisation debated the case for Cuban socialism with the Alliance for Workers’ Liberty (AWL). RATB agreed to the debate because we recognise that as the crisis deepens, it is the urgent task of socialists to confront imperialism and build an anti-imperialist movement in this country. Cuba is in the forefront of that struggle world-wide and its stance is recognised by progressive and revolutionary forces throughout the world. As it continues to denigrate Cuba’s achievements and its principled standpoint, the Trotskyist left in Britain, always completely hostile to Cuban socialism, is now playing a counter-revolutionary role. Members of the RCG congregation accustomed to such invective will probably not see how ridiculous the RCG report of the debate sounds. Note they did not agree to the debate because (for example) "we support the freedom of speech for workers to debate freely strategy and tactics of the revolutionary left", rather "to confront imperialism". The irony is, they throw this attack around all the time, but in the case of the AWL they're probably half-right. As for Cuba's "principled standpoint", clearly there's a contradiction (even by Cuba's own admission) between conceding the value of equal wages and compromising by using scaled salaries.