George Galloway

[MaverickChaos]

MP for the British "Respect" party. What do we think of him? He's not as revolutionary left as many people on this forum, but he's Democratic Socialist I believe. What do we think of him? Personally, I think he's a hero.

[Sam_b]

George Galloway is an arrogant cult-of-personality politician that has little relevance to the worker's movement. He split Respect because he couldn't have absolute control over it, has done precious little to support workers in parliament or otherwise, and has a reactionary line on abortion.

[Sugar Hill Kevis]

He's thoroughly reprehensible... Far too wound up with his own personal position than building a socialist movement...

But he's a good orator...

[Niccolò Rossi]

But he's a good orator...

Yeah I agree, you have to concede that point, even despite all the man's flaws.

[RHIZOMES]

He's done good shit and bad shit.

[Post-Something]

I actually quite like him. I just really focus on his views on Palestine though.

[Zurdito]

The only British MP worth anything as a human being, the onyl one with the courage to stand by the Iraqi people against imperialism. But politically, I'm a long way from him, and he would admit he isn't a revolutionary, but a reformist with strong anti-imperialist principles.

[Red October]

I'm not from the UK and don't know much about the guy, but I do like listening to some of his debates with conservatives and BNP type people. Definitely not a revolutionary though.

[MaverickChaos]

Like I said, he's not a revolutionary as he's a Democratic Socialist. I think his oratory skills are brilliant, as some of you have agreed with already - it's just good to see such courage and outspoken opposition to right-wing principles personified by a politician in the UK. That generally isn't seen much here, Labour is becoming more right-wing by the day.

[YKTMX]

The only British MP worth anything as a human being, the onyl one with the courage to stand by the Iraqi people against imperialism.

There are some good Labour MP's left - John McDonnell, Jeremy Corbyn, Alan Simpson, Diane Abbott (sort of).

George has been an important part of raising the anti-war and socialist message in the public debate. For instance, his speech in Parliament the day of the 7/7 terrorist attacks gave the "right" response at a time when other public figures were dodging the right conclusions. His appearance before Stormin' Norman Coleman at the U.S. Senate can't be praised enough - talk about speakin' truth to power!

His faults - egoism, self-publicism - are real but I think he's been, on balance, a positive for the socialist and labour movement in his time.

[BIG BROTHER]

he is not a communist, but is very good at arguing against imperialists, and those who support right wing ideas.

[jaffe]

Personally, I think he's a hero.

http://www.synthstuff.com/mt/archives/george-galloway-dance.jpg

[The Living Red]

Sam_b
"George Galloway is an arrogant cult-of-personality politician that has little relevance to the worker's movement. He split Respect because he couldn't have absolute control over it, has done precious little to support workers in parliament or otherwise, and has a reactionary line on abortion."

From what I could tell, Galloway merely criticized the SWP role in Respect (shouldn't criticism be open and welcome?) and the SWP couldn't take the criticism i.e. they started expelling members who took Galloway's side such as trade unionist Nick Wrack and others.
Of course, both sides share blame but from my POV it looks like the SWP-ers are the power-hungry ones, not Galloway.

And his stance on abortion is technically pro-choice. He's (unfortunately) a Catholic but a liberal one, so he's personally against abortion but obviously supports a woman's right to have one as did the Respect Coalition, regardless of the smears.

[Dr Mindbender]

who else has such an adept tendency to piss off the tabloids?

Come on, you have to love him just for that!? :laugh:

[Sam_b]

From what I could tell, Galloway merely criticized the SWP role in Respect (shouldn't criticism be open and welcome?) and the SWP couldn't take the criticism i.e. they started expelling members who took Galloway's side such as trade unionist Nick Wrack and others.
Of course, both sides share blame but from my POV it looks like the SWP-ers are the power-hungry ones, not Galloway.


If you regard going into meetings and hurling personal abuse at comrades as 'open and welcome criticism' then you're on a completely different wavelengths. As well as if you take into account Galloway's faction seizing the keys for the central office. Add to this Galloway trying at first to expel all SWP members and then claiming they had left the organisation.

http://www.respectcoalition.org/?ite=1624

[KrazyRabidSheep]

He's done good shit and bad shit.
Who hasn't?

[Zurdito]

If you regard going into meetings and hurling personal abuse at comrades as 'open and welcome criticism' then you're on a completely different wavelengths. As well as if you take into account Galloway's faction seizing the keys for the central office. Add to this Galloway trying at first to expel all SWP members and then claiming they had left the organisation.

http://www.respectcoalition.org/?ite=1624

well to be honest, what did the SWP expect when they went into alliance with a bourgeois parliamentarian.

IMO Galloway had a point, even though I politically disagree with him. If you are going to form a reformist electoral bloc, at least build it properly, rather than trying to have it exist as a mere tool of the SWP.

The SWP wanted to use Galloway and the rest of the non-SWP elements in RESPECT as a way of building the SWP. Galloway spotted this and said look, if you're not committed to building RESPECT as an election-winning reformist party, then get out.

Looking at the basis on which RESPECT was founded, I think he had a point, the SWP thought it could build itself by behind the scenes manipulation of a reformist electoral alliance, and when unsurprisingly the other groups in the alliance didn't want to be used in such a dishonest way, the whole thing fell apart.

[Lector Malibu]

I like him. I also like his (I guess) American equivalent Mike Malloy on Air America. I will admit they aren't perfect but gotta admit I like they're style.

[Sam_b]

The SWP wanted to use Galloway and the rest of the non-SWP elements in RESPECT as a way of building the SWP

Where's your proof?

[Herman]

I admire him and what he has done.

[Danton]

Galloway is an utter twunt.. I voted for respect when I was living in Bethnal Green but Gerorge was more interested in being a celebrity than really making a difference in that area..