26.03.1998

English Alliance moves at last

Socialist Alliances - all-Britain unity vital

The national meeting of the Socialist Alliance Network of England was held in Coventry last Saturday. The meeting represented an important step forward in developing an alternative to the Labour Party. John Nicholson of the National Liaison Committee opened the meeting. He explained that it had been reconvened earlier than expected because of events in the Labour Party, especially the rebellion in parliament over welfare cuts and the expulsion of Euro-MPs, Hugh Kerr and Ken Coates. Pete Brown, representing the MEPs, conveyed their full support.

Although the attendance was down a little on the last meeting, it was far more representative, with 30 organisations present. Among the participants were representatives of the Green Party, including its chair, Claire Wooding. They had come with the aim of finding some way to work together with the SAs around the 1999 Euro elections. However, instead of the expected non-aggression proposal - ie, not fighting each other, the Green Party said they had already made their selection and would be standing in every constituency. This provoked anger. People had not made the break from Labour to stand down for the Greens. However rumours circulating throughout the day suggested that the Greens might not be so inflexible after all. Apparently Wooding says in private that they could well be prepared to do a deal. The fact of their attendance certainly shows how seriously they take the potential of the Alliances in the Euro elections.

The morning discussions centred on report backs from various alliances. A debate developed on standing in elections. Alan Thornett from Socialist Outlook expressed his horror at the idea of the London Alliance aiming to stand 100 candidates in the forthcoming elections to the 32 borough councils. This was pure “adventurism”, according to Thornet. His comrade Pete Firmin argued that standing in elections must not be about propaganda. It apparently “means far more than that”. Obviously SO has deep illusions in bourgeois elections. The very reason the CPGBers stand is to make revolutionary propaganda. Not because we actually believe in the legitimacy of bourgeois elections. The other problem of course for SO is that they are part of the Alliances but still support Labour. While Hugh Kerr, Ken Coates and others are making the break, but still sadly cling on.

The aftermath session discussed a position paper put forward by the Liaison Committee and other documents put forward by Martin Wicks of Socialist Perspectives, and Nick Long from Lewisham SA. They all concerned the future direction of the Alliance. No vote was taken but it was agreed through consensus that a September conference would be held at which documents, including proposed rules for an interim structure would be discussed and voted on. The general idea of the Liaison Committee was to make the first moves towards creating a structured organisation. Some discussion was had over how quickly we should move forward. It was suggested by Martin Wicks that the main lesson to be learnt from the SLP experience was that Scargill was wrong to create a party when he did. He was also against what he termed the “electoralist approach”. In contrast however another member of his organisation Socialist Perspectives, Dave Spencer, argued that this was completely wrong. Scargill was quite right to take the initiative. The problem was his absolutism and the disservice he has done the working class by creating a bureaucratic monster. Nick Long also put forward a far more positive approach. To take what he termed this “window of opportunity” it was important not to be hesitant. It was vital to take a bold approach.

London SA Ad-Hoc Convenor Anne Murphy put forward an amendment to the Liaison Committee’s proposals to the effect that the Alliance should have political aims that are accepted rather than agreed. In doing so she emphasised the importance of differences and debate. Socialism is about working class self-emancipation which of necessity implies debates and majority-minority votes, not everybody having to agree and differences brushed aside. John Nicholson of the Liaison Committee supported the amendment and it was generally agreed that having stated aims did not mean they could not continue to be discussed and other positions put forward.

It was a positive, open and relatively frank meeting. The Socialist Party comrades in attendance restated their commitment to the project and to standing as part of their Alliance. They insisted that reports of lack of commitment were completely untrue. Hopefully we will now get a more positive involvement on the ground, where there has been decided unevenness in approach.

Dave Nellist in the closing speech expressed his passionate belief that the Alliances could provide the left and the working class the possibility of having a voice. Not before time the Alliances in England have taken a step forward. There is of course a long way to go and issues such as the need for an all-Britain Alliance rather than creating divisions between the Welsh, Scottish and English working class still need to be resolved, But we are on our way.

Anne Murphy