29.05.1997

SWP’s honeymoon

Around the left

We have reported in some detail how some on the revolutionary left are pushing the ‘crisis of expectations’ theory. This fanciful notion sets out the idea that Tony Blair was elected on a wave (tidal or otherwise) of anti-Tory radicalism and that as soon as he starts to backtrack the masses will take to the streets in order to force Blair to carry out his (presumably popular) programme.

This certainly appears to be the view of the Socialist Workers Party. It has already categorised in a most unscientific way the vote for Blair as a “class vote”, told us that “many working class people now believe that their time has come” and that the “mood for change can be experienced in every bus queue, in every supermarket”. All that is required is for this mood to be “harnessed if real change is to come” (see Socialist Review May).

It does look as if the SWP - even if the masses are not - is experiencing a honeymoon period with New Labour. Blair’s massive majority in parliament, according to the astoundingly naive SWP, should make it easier to roll back the ‘Tory years’. The same issue of Socialist Review argues thus: “The fact that the Labour government has the biggest majority in its past history gives fewer alibis to Blair. Labour has the ability to set a decent minimum wage, to restore union rights, and to stop hospital closures and selective education.” The SWP does not seem to understand that Blair precisely has the “alibi” he needs to attack the working class, and the only one that matters to him - ie, power.

The latest issue of Socialist Worker continues the ‘times are a-changing’ theme. In a front page article on GCHQ we are breathlessly informed: “All were celebrating last week as the new government restored [union] rights”. Yes, comrades, but the GCHQ workers are still not allowed to go on strike.In other words, Blair has offered a partial sop and the SWP is getting excited about it.

But nothing must be allowed to interfere with a good story, and the article goes on to state:

“But there has been a change of mood since the defeat of the Tories in the election. Union supporters have been more confident ... We can use the new mood to win rights for ourselves now” (May 24).

Regrettable though it may be, this “new mood” exists far more in the heads of SWP leaders than in reality.

Don Preston