13.02.1997

Not compatible with democracy

At a branch meeting of Stockport Socialist Labour Party on November 28 1996 followers of the Economic and Philosophical Science Review, led by its founder-editor Roy Bull, passed a ‘motion’ calling for the expulsion of comrade John Pearson, the branch secretary. They alleged he was a member of the CPGB. John Pearson has since been excluded from a branch meeting recently chaired by Phil Griffin, backed by his homophobic and sectarian allies in the EPSR. We publish below the exchange between John Pearson and Arthur Scargill

Dear comrade Scargill
Re: My position as a member of the SLP

I understand that you have taken over from Patrick Sikorski as general secretary. I am disgusted that I have not yet been informed by you of the decision made by the National Executive Committee, on January 18 1997, upon complaints against me by a number of members of the Stockport branch. I have made every reasonable effort to communicate with my regional NEC members and your predecessor and yourself in order to prompt the basic courtesy of being told what my position as a party member is.

Both North West NEC members, Paul Hardman and Phil Griffin, have declined to tell me what the committee’s decision was, indicating that they were not at liberty to do so, and that I would be informed in a letter from the general secretary. I phoned the party’s national office on three occasions - January 21, 22, and 27 1997- and I have received no reply. On January 22 I also phoned comrade Nell Myers at the NUM HQ. She was not in her office and I was invited to leave my telephone number, by the receptionist, who said she would ask comrade Myers to phone me back. This has not happened.

Despite the absence of any communication to me from yourself or your predecessor, both as to the NEC decision, and in response to my calls, rumours are now prevalent in the party in Manchester, that I have been expelled, or that I have been ‘voided’ from membership. Please will you now settle this matter by writing to me with the NEC’s decision without delay.

To sane time, may I now inform you, that if the decision is indeed that I be removed from membership of the party, then that decision is perverse and I will fight it with my utmost energy. Please will you also inform me, then, of the grounds for the decision and of the procedures for me to appeal after I receive it.

With comradely greetings,

John Pearson
Member no 523
January 30 1997
cc: P Hardman, P Griffin, NEC members

To: J Pearson
Dear Mr Pearson,

A report was presented to the NEC meeting on Saturday, 18th January 1997 in which it was made clear that your activities are not compatible with the constitution of the party.

The NEC unanimously agreed that your actions are incompatible with the constitution of the party and as such render your application for membership ineligible. I am therefore instructed to ask you to return your party card immediately and cease describing yourself as a member of the Socialist Labour Party.

Yours sincerely,

A Scargill
general secretary
Undated

To: Arthur Scargill
Acting General Secretary
Dear Comrade Scargill,
Re: My position as a member of the SLP

... I have not committed any actions which are incompatible with the constitution of the party. As you know, I applied to join the Socialist Labour Party on January 24 1996, and I received a letter jointly signed by yourself and Patrick Sikorski, confirming my admission into membership and enclosing my membership card. I have paid my dues ever since. I have performed my duties as a member, and participated fully in the democratic processes of the party. In accordance with the pledge contained in my membership application, I have complied fully with the requirements of the party’s draft constitution.

If any part of the above statement has been contradicted by the report received by the National Executive Committee, or by any NEC member during discussion of that report, then no doubt I shall be receiving details of any such contradiction from you shortly, for my comment.

You request me to return my party card immediately and to cease describing myself as a member of the Socialist Labour Party. I am disappointed that such a request should be made. I find it to be most hostile and uncomradely. I do not accept this request. In view of my non-acceptance I of course remain a member of the Socialist Labour Party. I will continue to perform my duties as a member, and to assert my democratic rights. I shall attend, and participate in, the meeting of my Stockport constituency branch tomorrow evening.

I know that you will be as keen as I am to resolve the problem arising from the apparent misunderstanding which has occurred at the National Executive Committee. I look forward to cooperating with you to that end.

With comradely greetings,

John Pearson
Member no 523
February 5 1997
cc: Paul Hardman, Phil Griffin, NEC members