12.04.2000

Debating action

The London Socialist Alliance activist conference last Sunday was very successful - both politically and organisationally. Presided over by Marcus Larsen, LSA chair, it consisted of both a plenary session and workshops to discuss various areas of policy. There were about 300 comrades present.

Greg Tucker kicked off with a report of the "new and politically distinct activity of the LSA" and congratulated members for the fact that we have signed up 3,000 new supporters in the last few weeks. He did not point out, however, that as yet this support in the main has unfortunately not translated into active involvement. This reflects the fact that, while many working class people have become disillusioned with Blair, the mood is still very passive.

Mike Marqusee, writer and journalist, emphasised the point that, while much has been made of the mayoral stitch-up, little attention has been paid to the fact that Labour has been doing exactly the same with the assembly elections. Candidates have been thoroughly screened by the leadership and active leftwing members barred, supposedly because they "lack sufficient life experience". He then went on to give details of press stunts and activities that are planned for the campaign. The LSA would, he said, be putting particular emphasis on the question of asylum-seekers and working with the Anti-Deportation Campaign and bodies. We are the only ones to stand firmly against all immigration controls and will be making this point clear throughout the campaign.

The discussion then opened to the floor. There was a wide variety of contributions, beginning with an upbeat John Rees (SWP) telling us that we are starting to hurt New Labour on the ground in the constituencies with hustings and reports in the local press. Jean Kysow, candidate for Bexley and Bromley, asked why we have nothing in the manifesto on the changes being made to local government under Blair, arguing that this was a vital question in terms of democracy.

The CPGB's Anne Murphy, an LSA list candidate, spoke of the importance of the alliance in contrast to the spoiler campaigns of the Campaign Against Tube Privatisation, the Socialist Labour Party and the Communist Party of Britain. The unity of different organisations and traditions provides the basis for a real answer for the left and the working class - not mono-idea sects or single issue campaigns. From the platform Mike Marqusee agreed with this and said that there would need to be open and full debate and tolerance of all the traditions involved. Comrade Murphy also reported on the LSA battle bus experience in north London on the previous day. She said it had been enjoyable as well as effective, both in getting our message across and in bringing the different groups closer through working together. It had been, she believed, an important psychological step forward for the campaign and urged others to get involved when the battle bus tours other areas of London in the next few weeks.

The only controversy of the day centred on the question of immigration controls and followed on from a report-back from the workshop dealing with the question given by SWP member Peter Jackson. The comrade said that arguing against immigration controls meant telling people the facts: ie, Britain is not overcrowded. Not entering into long discussions on the doorstep about the history of racism. He was concerned that we would become too preoccupied with abstract principles. This echoed the contribution in the workshop, where the SWP's Weyman Bennett argued for a more "populist" approach to the question.

Other participants in the workshop put the alternative, minority, viewpoint. Alan Thornett (International Socialist Group) stressed that we should not simply argue against immigration controls on the basis of resources - whether London is rich or not has nothing to do with allowing people in from abroad. Capital can move throughout the world, so why not people? Anne Murphy reported that many comrades were unhappy that the question of immigration controls was absent from our leaflets. That must be rectified. She also warned that, while giving facts and figures to back up one's arguments is vital, they should not be used as a substitute for principle.

Other comrades from the various workshops came up with practical suggestions for action around May Day, youth, local work and press. Comrade Rob Hoveman of the SWP rounded things up by explaining the logistics of the campaign and warning of the need to be careful regarding legal restrictions. Mike Marqusee made the closing remarks, urging comrades to put everything into the next few weeks. The campaign is going well and we are fighting to win.