The Idler
4th February 2013, 20:32
The Monument: The Story of the Socialist Party of Great Britain by Robert Barltrop. Chapter 8 Hard Times (http://socialismoryourmoneyback.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/the-monument-story-of-socialist-party.html)
Robert Barltrop's 'The Monument' is an insider's history of the SPGB, albeit "heavily anecdotal" as the Socialist Standard editorial rightly has it. The title of the book, 'The Monument' reflects a "sneer" often directed toward the SPGB by those at other latitudes of the 'workers' parties' and 'labour movement' who see the Socialist Party as a sterile political party without tangible achievement. The Socialist Party, these critics say, is more like a monument to doctrinal purity than a real movement. The Socialist Party's case for socialism is refreshingly clear. If the book has a message, it is that while political success might not have been achieved, a life of principle in a worthy cause is not wasted.
Robert Barltrop's 'The Monument' is an insider's history of the SPGB, albeit "heavily anecdotal" as the Socialist Standard editorial rightly has it. The title of the book, 'The Monument' reflects a "sneer" often directed toward the SPGB by those at other latitudes of the 'workers' parties' and 'labour movement' who see the Socialist Party as a sterile political party without tangible achievement. The Socialist Party, these critics say, is more like a monument to doctrinal purity than a real movement. The Socialist Party's case for socialism is refreshingly clear. If the book has a message, it is that while political success might not have been achieved, a life of principle in a worthy cause is not wasted.