19.07.2000

Sword of Damocles

On July 25 the Republican Communist Network (England) is organising a debate. Sean Matgamna of the Alliance for Workers' Liberty, John Bridge of the CPGB and myself will be squaring up for battle. All three of us are republicans and members of the RCN. The question is, how much emphasis should be put on republican agitation and republican mobilisation?

The RCN is providing a platform for what I believe to be one of the most important debates about the future of the UK for the new millennium. Sean will have the support not only of the AWL, but the Socialist Workers Party and the rest of the left. Nevertheless pundits are not giving him much chance. Pre-match betting is running at 10-1 against.

If the pundits are right, the interesting question is how the AWL will react to losing the argument. They may retreat into defensive sectarianism: 'All this emphasis on republicanism is crazy, if not bizarre. Let us not waste any more time debating it.' On the other hand they may come to progressive and revolutionary conclusions and join our crusade to turn the British left into a bastion of revolutionary democracy. That would be a real step forward.

It is significant that the biggest threat to the monarchy since World War II has come from Diana Spencer. She joined the 'firm' in 1982 with an exclusive contract to produce the next generation of royal parasites. It was not a happy experience. When she fell out with her employers, she began threatening to blackmail them by exposing some of the royal secrets and royal hypocrisy.

The whole enterprise was damaged. Her former employers could no longer trust her. Their fear, hatred and loathing knew no bounds. She was placed under very close surveillance by the state. Unfortunately for her, this was before the recent laws on whistle-blowing offered any protection! So they did what any mafia firm would do and had her bumped off.

It is a sad commentary that Diana Spencer did more damage to the establishment than the British left has achieved in decades. Of course we do not have the inside knowledge that Spencer had. But the left could build a republican movement. That it has not done so or even tried is a testament to the failure of its current politics based on economism: that is, reformism.

In the longer run, popular republicanism will be a much bigger danger to the monarchy than Diana Spencer ever could be. It will threaten the monarchy long after Spencer is not only dead and buried, but forgotten. The only point of contention is how long we will have to wait. This depends on how long it takes the left to wake up and start to take political struggle seriously.

Is republicanism the sword of Damocles hovering above the heads of the British ruling class? Obviously not and certainly not yet. But it could be. The abolition of the monarchy will not destroy the ruling class. They can survive such a blow. But it will leave our rulers exposed, weakened and more vulnerable to the working class.

The monarchy is the weak link in the enemy's defences. This is why it needs continuous promotion and constant support. Millions have to be spent shoring it up. Every word has to be carefully chosen. Every picture monitored. Every penny spent must be shrouded in secrecy. The truth can never see the light of day.

A republic will not produce some kind of democratic heaven. It will produce a growing crisis and the threat of something very nasty. The kid gloves will be off. The republic will bring out a real and growing threat of fascism, as well as an opportunity for a workers' republic. The Spanish republic of 1930 shows only too clearly both the threats and the opportunities of republicanism.

This is why the left is fearful of a republic and wants to remain within the safe parameters of Labourism. Rather than admit this, much of the left disguises itself in leftist rhetoric about the workers' republic and world communism. This is why the republican sword of Damocles is not hovering above the heads of the ruling class waiting to strike. It is lying rusting on the floor.

On July 25 the CPGB and Revolutionary Democratic Group are going to pick up the sword and challenge the AWL with it. Naturally we do not want to damage to our comrades and allies. Just a series of sharp pin-pricks, enough to draw blood. And what would be a progressive outcome? That the sword becomes sharper? Yes. That we all agree to stab the SWP with sufficient force that they too are 'persuaded' of the merits of our argument? Definitely. No doubt this will take much longer than one debate. We will let you know how we get on.