22.11.2001

Streatham

Reluctant speaker

Members of Streatham Socialist Alliance met on November 20 to discuss the constitutional documents submitted for the forthcoming conference. While leading local Socialist Workers Party member Dave Franklin did not feel a debate was necessary, everyone else, including two of his own comrades, found the discussion useful.

Keith Sellick presented Workers Power?s proposals, which included a national executive committee composed of one delegate from each of the six principal supporting organisations. An additional 19 would be elected at conference, of which no more than four should be aligned comrades, leaving independents with a minimum of 15 seats on a 25-person executive.

When pressed, comrade Sellick acknowledged that this was wholly disproportionate to the number of independents in the alliance. He further admitted that the structure would limit the SWP (or any other supporting organisation) to a maximum of five members on the executive, massively under representing their weight in the alliance. Comrade Sellick was at pains to stress that the structure was an attempt to draw in independent socialists. The SA was a transitional organisation, he argued, and Workers Power?s proposals were an attempt to reflect that.

Dion D?Silva spoke to the amendments submitted by the Alliance for Workers? Liberty. The AWL had not submitted its own constitutional proposals but sought to amend those already in place. Indicating his support for Workers Power?s proposals, comrade D?Silva backed the call for a Socialist Alliance paper and guaranteed representation on any national executive for the six principal supporting organisations. It was too early to form a party, he argued.

Speaking to the CPGB?s proposals, Andy Gunton expressed surprise that comrade D?Silva could not support them. Much of the content covered areas he had raised: an SA paper, representation (admittedly not automatic) of significant political trends, etc. Comrade Gunton argued that the alliance needed greater centralism and an authoritative national leadership which enjoyed general support and legitimacy with the membership.

The presentation by an election preparation committee of a single recommended list for the national executive, which provided for a broad geographical, gender and racial spread and in which all significant trends and prominent individuals were included, was the best means to ensure an authoritative and effective national leadership. He argued that such a list would be open to amendment, with individuals added or removed during the course of conference. Finally comrades would vote not for the entire list on a take-it-or-leave-it basis, but for individuals. While not perfect, the comrade continued, this was the best way to prevent one-sidedness and patronage - which could undermine the legitimacy of the resulting executive.

Comrade Gunton also argued that, far from repelling potential recruits, a partyist structure would empower individual members and, hand in hand with an alliance press, provide space for ideas to be expressed and argued. Indeed, he continued, it was not the independents who were opposed to moving to a more partyist structure, but two of the main supporting organisations: ie, the SWP and Socialist Party.

Comrade Franklin reluctantly presented the SWP?s proposals. Or rather he did not. He again expressed his belief that the discussion was unnecessary and somewhat pointless - all of us were politically aligned and would vote as instructed, he stated. The comrade had not read his organisation?s proposals as he himself would not be attending the December 1 conference. He therefore contented himself with attempting to answer some of the points raised by other members.

An alliance paper was something comrade Franklin pointedly rejected. He claimed there would be confusion as to when party and alliance publications could or should be sold - an objection that was dismissed by others present, including one SWPer who saw ?no problem? in selling Socialist Worker alongside a putative SA paper. The Scottish Socialist Party?s Scottish Socialist Voice which is sold by members of the SSP?s Socialist Worker Platform was also cited.

On the SWP?s proposals for election to the national executive, one comrade suggested that there would be a trial of strength between competing slates where the winner takes all. It would be open to accusations of political patronage and result in the exclusion of smaller groups and ?difficult? comrades.

Moving on from what the majority felt had been a useful debate, the meeting discussed next year?s local elections. It was widely acknowledged that the profile of Streatham SA had fallen back considerably since the high of the general election: work was required to address this.

An officers? meeting of Lambeth borough SA - of which Streatham is a part - was of the opinion that we would be unable to contest a majority of wards, and proposed a total of eight. Comrade Gunton felt that the alliance should seek to stand in as many wards as possible, even if this meant standing paper candidates. While agreeing that canvassing should be concentrated on working class wards, he argued that an ambitious campaign would bring into activity a layer of latent support. During the general election campaign in Dulwich and West Norwood a dozen activists mobilised 200 supporters. An ambitious borough-wide campaign would generate more publicity and help the work of canvassing targeted wards.

This view was clearly in the minority among those present. Most preferred to conduct an intensive campaign in a relatively small number of wards, given our low activist base. Paper candidates would alienate working class voters, it was argued. We aim to make a firm (but flexible) decision on the number of wards to be contested in December or January.

Discussion then moved on to the Benefits Agency strike. The meeting agreed to hold a public meeting on trade union organisation in mid-December, inviting speakers from the Public and Commercial Services Union and victimised train driver Greg Tucker, our general election candidate.

It was also agreed to produce a Streatham SA newsletter and hold a street stall on Saturday December 8.

Andy Gunton