25.04.2001
Set aside divisions
RDG statement on the position taken by the national Socialist Alliance executive on the Bedfordshire SA
1. The Revolutionary Democratic Group condemns the 'walkout' by Socialist Workers Party members from the Bedfordshire SA meeting on April 1. The purpose of this action was to secure changes in policy, not by democratic means, but by boycotting meetings, threatening a split and appealing to the national SA executive.
2. The split in the Beds SA, as a result of this action, has weakened the campaign against Margaret Moran MP for Luton South and the fight against Blair. Dividing the Beds SA has weakened the fight for socialism.
3. The RDG notes that the SWP has sought to blame the RDG for its own divisive and undemocratic behaviour. We therefore welcome the three-person fact finding inquiry set up by the executive.
4. We note that the SWP has submitted statements critical of the RDG and six demands to change the democratic decisions and procedures of the Beds SA. We are aware that these statements were submitted 'confidentially'.
5. We believe that political statements and accusations made in secret or with 'confidentiality clauses' attached are undemocratic. The reason for 'confidentiality' is simply because the accusations and political ideas which underpin these statements are false, politically backward and unsustainable in any open democratic argument.
6. The RDG considers that four of the SWP six demands are anti-democratic. We are pleased to see that they were rejected by the inquiry team. A further one of these was unnecessary and also not supported.
7. This leaves us with one issue, the composition of the Beds SA officers. From the foundation of the Beds SA in October 2000 until January 2001 an SWP member was chair of the Beds SA. This comrade was then expelled, apparently because it is now alleged that he was a member of the RDG. He was not and is not a member of our group. However, determined to compound one error on top of another, the SWP then came to the Beds SA and tried to remove this comrade by a vote of no confidence. That tactic failed miserably and not surprisingly alienated the entire Beds SA membership.
8. The banning of the Beds SA secretary from SWP public meetings, without any political justification, and the recent walkout, has done nothing to gain the sympathy of the majority of Beds SA members, who are 'independents'. On the contrary, the mood of these members is now, to varying degrees, hostile. Working class and socialist activists do not take kindly to what they perceive as splitting activity.
9. Despite this, the RDG considers that all this must be set aside for the sake of unity against New Labour and Margaret Moran MP. Our only condition is that whatever proposals are made, these must be agreed by democratic decisions of the Beds SA. We are not in favour of any special conditions or special clauses other than can be expected to apply to all members.
10. Neither the RDG, nor indeed any organisation within the Beds SA, is in a position to offer the SWP any secret or open deal for an officer's seat(s) in exchange for a united campaign against New Labour. What we are prepared to do is to consider arguing for and voting for an SWP candidate(s) in the interests of a united campaign. But it will be for Beds SA members to decide by normal democratic means.
11. The conflict between the RDG and the SWP is due to politics. It is certainly not a result of 'sectarianism' by the RDG. The answer is unity in action against Margaret Moran MP and, in parallel, open discussion and comradely debate over all political questions that divide us.
Danny Thompson
on behalf of the RDG