25.02.1999

Keep left unity on track

Every initiative to forge working class unity seems to be dogged by sectarian attempts at exclusion. The moves towards a left slate to contest the European elections have proved to be no exception.

As usual it is those to the right of the tentative alliances who want to break up what has been achieved. We have already reported how a section of the Independent Labour Network around Mike Davies is far from happy with the idea of sensible ‘realists’ like themselves actually cooperating with ‘hardened revolutionaries’ like the SWP or the Socialist Party. And, of course, groups like the CPGB are simply beyond the pale.

Comrade Davies has called a meeting this weekend on his home patch of Leeds, to which only a select few were invited. Unfortunately for him news of his exclusivist gathering leaked out and it looks as though his attempt to form a rival, more ‘moderate’ slate will be thwarted - at least on this occasion - by the presence of just those organisations he hoped to keep out.

Similar problems have occurred in other areas. As reported by John Pearson (Weekly Worker February 4) the attempt to initiate a united socialist challenge for the European elections in the North West was to have been discussed immediately after the Greater Manchester Socialist Alliance’s ‘Time for united action’ conference on February 13. Regrettably, this proposed meeting did not take place. It is now to be held on March 6, hosted by the Merseyside Socialists.

Comrades in the CPGB suspect that our exclusion from an initial forum in Preston was due in no small part to the machinations of the GMSA steering committee, whose members appear to be determined that our views shall be silenced on this vital issue. At the ‘Time for united action’ gathering GMSA convenor John Nicholson and company were faced with a different balance of forces. Tony Reid, convenor of the Radical Preston Alliance, had expressed his regret at our absence from the Preston meeting. Similarly, leading members of the Merseyside Socialists made it known that they were not interested in excluding anyone from discussions. Faced with this, the GMSA steering committee simply shelved things, presumably hoping to stitch up a deal later in the absence of the CPGB.

On the other hand, there are very good practical reasons why the GMSA steering committee does not seem eager to discuss the subject of the European elections. Conservatism and inertia plague its work. It has little or no public profile, a chronic lack of finance and a snail’s pace of activity. Even the ‘Time for united action’ conference (attended by somewhere in the region of 80 people) had a distinctly ‘national’ feel to it, being billed as sponsored by the Network of Socialist Alliances.

Convenor Nicholson also has the maintenance of his anti-CPGB bloc on the GMSA steering committee to consider. The Manchester sections of the Alliance for Workers’ Liberty and Socialist Outlook are rife with knee-jerk pro-Labourism. Therein lies the reason why they are prepared to stomach Nicholson’s exclusion of the CPGB from the steering committee. Nicholson is well aware that if he shows too much interest in an electoral challenge to their beloved Labour Party, he risks exposing the fragile nature of his alliance.

Manchester AWL appears to be at odds with its national leadership. In London, their organisation has been an enthusiastic participant in the Socialist Alliance unity slate for the European elections. In Manchester, the AWL comrades seem intent on waiting for the Independent Labour Network’s right wing (presumably around Mike Davies) to make an authoritative pronouncement. When confronted with the absurdity of such arguments, AWL members in Manchester plead poverty. The idea of deciding your political tasks and then raising the finance - using your own organisation as a lever in the development of an independent working class challenge to Labour - is utterly alien to our AWL comrades.

Thus far the Merseyside Socialists, the CPGB and the Radical Preston Alliance are the only organisations who have intimated a desire to initiate a unity slate in the North West European elections. It is imperative that other interested parties break from the conservatism and inertia of the GMSA steering committee. Time is short, and we urge comrades from organisations involved in unity slates elsewhere - and any other group interested - to attend the Liverpool meeting.

Phil Watson