09.05.2001

Greenwich

Seeds of partyism

The May 3 meeting of Greenwich and Woolwich Socialist Alliance marked a qualitative improvement in our work - the meeting was conducted in a disciplined and businesslike fashion and there was an excellent political discussion on the London May Day demonstrations. In addition a comrade from the International Bolshevik Tendency attended and pledged support for our candidate, Kirstie Paton of Workers Power, with an offer of four comrades plus a loudhailer every Saturday.

Comrade Paton who, along with several other members, had been held captive at Oxford Circus on May 1, opened the political discussion. This prompted a lengthy debate in which most, if not all, members participated. The quality of the contributions was better than usual, with most comrades obviously having thought more deeply - a case of practical struggles impacting on ideas. The analysis that many comrades came to inevitably contained the seeds of partyism - germinating with some, dormant in others.

Some of the younger Socialist Workers Party comrades made upbeat contributions, saying that we may not have won the streets, but the political case against capitalism shone through. Comrade George McColl (WP) contributed a class analysis - in particular pointing to weaknesses. He correctly argued that the biggest problem was the complete absence of the organised working class in the anti-capitalist demonstration. He added that the anti-capitalist movement itself had no consistent or coherent orientation to the unions. Comrade McColl then contrasted the very low visible presence of the Socialist Alliance with the highly centralised and disciplined force of the state. He concluded that a loose alliance was not good enough - we need to be an equally disciplined and centralised force. Comrade McColl is obviously laying the case for a party in everything but name.

Andy Reid (SWP) said that it would have been wrong to put a lot of effort into the demonstration in view of the election. This was countered by Alan Stevens (CPGB) who argued the exact opposite and added that we are not just against capitalism but have a positive alternative to put before people. Comrade Stevens continued that a great impact could have been made if we had a Socialist Alliance newspaper.

Frances Hook (non-aligned), referring to the weakness of the official march, criticised union bureaucrats who are more interested in socials and outings. Comrade Hook said much more attention has to be paid to involving rank and file unionists and developing good shop stewards. True, but we also need to raise their consciousness above mere trade union politics.

Miranda Patterson (SWP) reported how women trapped at Oxford Circus had been prevented from going to the toilet, were advised by police to urinate in the gutter and then arrested! It was agreed to send a message of support to the campaign to defend all those arrested. Alan Gibson (IBT) stated that a human rights barrister was interested in combining claims into a civil liberties case against the police.

Our candidate has accepted an invitation to speak at another hustings meeting, on May 17 - this time jointly organised by the NUT, Unison, GMB and other council unions. On this occasion all the main candidates will be present, including New Labour's nasty Nick Raynsford.

Ex-New Labour leader of the council Len Duval has finally resigned following his election to the Greater London Assembly.

This means a local by-election on the same day as the parliamentary election in the heart of our campaigning area. We have agreed in principle to stand a Socialist Alliance candidate and the race is now on to find one.

Alan Stevens