02.05.1996

Why so shy?

Thousands of revolutionary workers from Turkey and Kurdistan took to the streets for the London May Day march

The May Day march in London from Manor House to Wood Green attracted thousands of workers in keen militant mood. The Turkish and Kurdish presence once again provided the focus of the march. Their energy and solidarity casts a penetrating light into the dusty recesses and quiet backwaters of the British workers’ movement. Despite that the Socialist Workers Party and Militant Labour were present, reversing their demented ‘stay at home policy’ of previous years. The Liverpool dockers were represented too, their buckets filled by the marchers’ donations.

Arthur Scargill spoke at the end of the rally and chose not to mention the Socialist Labour Party. A strange decision considering the SLP had held a launch of the party hours before at a London hotel. Instead he concentrated on a home brew of fraternal greetings, calls for international workers’ consciousness and vilification of the Tories and new Labour alike.

He did mention some specific demands linked to the trade union movement. He called for a four-day week, retirement at 55 with full pay and a minimum wage at £4.29 per hour.

But it was not enough. In front of thousands of militants from a revolutionary tradition a bold call for those attending to join the SLP would have been a significant step away from reformism. Not to do that or even to acknowledge the existence of the SLP creates an atmosphere of secrecy and timidity at a time when clarity and a revolutionary party are essential.

Phil Rudge