25.03.2004

Leadership still lags behind the led

On March 20, coordinated protests around the world commemorated the first anniversary of the US-UK invasion of Iraq: in the US, Italy, Spain, Australia, Greece, Holland, Germany, and of course Britain. Manny Neira joined them in London

Perhaps 50,000 demonstrators assembled in Hyde Park. They marched across London to shouts of “Blair out”, and assembled in Trafalgar Square, where they listened to the 30 speakers who were lined up for them that afternoon.

Clearly Tony Blair is still haunted by Iraq. A large minority in the country was always bitterly opposed to the war and never believed his lies about WMD and Saddam Hussein representing an imminent threat. Then there were the resignations of Robin Cook, Clare Short and the backbench rebellions.

Now the occupation is going badly. The list of US and UK casualties continues to rise and rise and Iraq remains in a state of virtual anarchy. Economically the country lies in ruins with the mass of the labour force unemployed. There are daily attacks by islamic bombers and remnants of the Ba’athist regime and the most likely scenario after the US-UK hands over ‘sovereignty’ in a few months is a takeover by shai fundamentalists.

Hardly an imperial triumph. No wonder George Bush is in trouble and no wonder José Maria Aznar was booted out by the Spanish electorate.

The main question under such circumstances is whether or not the popular opposition to the war and occupation of Iraq can be turned into a radical, working class-led, movement for constitutional and social change or whether it will simply remain an amorphous protest movement and eventually peter out. Clearly it is not enough to simply say ‘no’ to the war and ‘Blair out’. The whole constitutional monarchy - with its presidential prime minister, unelected head of state and House of Lords and monstrous military and bureaucratic machine - must be swept away. And, of course, to stop war it is necessary to stop capitalism, the system generates war by its very nature.

Unfortunately, while the mass opposition and the protests against the US-UK war and occupation continue almost unabated, our political leadership is still far from adequate. The Stop the War Coalition can still mobilise tens of thousands onto the streets, but politically it offers little more than populist platitudes. Neither Britain’s constitutional monarchy nor the capitalist system are challenged. Instead fire is concentrated almost exclusively on the personality of Tony Blair.

Andrew Murray, chair of the STWC, opened proceedings in Trafalgar square in exactly that populist spirit. He also demonstrated that the suspicions of his comrades in the Morning Star’s Communist Party of Britain were justified: he has been around the Socialist Workers Party too long and has clearly gone native: “Tony Blair says we should draw a line. We should draw a line - exactly as the Spanish people have done!”

The victory of José Luis Zapatero’s PSOE (Partido Socialista Obrero Español) in Spain’s recent general election was to be another consistent theme of the day. Clearly the Spanish people had punished prime minister Aznar both for supporting the invasion of Iraq against their wishes, and then showing a breathtaking cynicism in attributing the Madrid bombings to the Basque separatist group Eta (Eskadi Ta Askatasuna), given that Spanish intelligence suggested al Qa’eda might be responsible from the outset. However, the Spanish people could turn to a mass party opposed to the war.

It was difficult to see how this event might translate into a British political perspective, given that both our major parties supported the war. While the SWP is clearly pinning its hopes on anti-war feeling being translated into electoral support for Respect, even it cannot believe that the coalition will actually defeat Labour if it stands in the next general election. As for Andrew Murray’s CPB, much to his chagrin it voted by a narrow majority to reject Respect at its recent special congress. It remains committed to the British road to socialism, which involves ‘reclaiming’ Labour: the most this might achieve in the short term is an anti-Blair coup within the party: but the most likely successor, Gordon Brown, is scarcely politically distinguishable.

The Spanish theme, though, was picked up by Keith Sonnet, deputy general secretary of Unison: “¡Viva España! ¡Viva Zapatero! Twelve months ago we demonstrated in our millions against the war. We were right to do so. The world we live in is less safe now than it was then! We condemn this government, a Labour government, for taking us into this illegal war. We salute the Spanish people who voted for regime change.”

A Muslim Association of Britain speaker took up the baton. “I’m here on behalf of MAB, hand in hand with the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and the STWC. We will not lie down for Blair and his lies!”

Yvonne Ridley, a journalist once held by the Taliban in Afghanistan, was introduced as a “recent convert to islam”. She demanded: “Bring our troops home from Iraq, and our brothers back from Guantanamo Bay. If Blair really has a special relationship with Bush, why can’t he bring our brothers home? I was lucky. I was captured by the Taliban. If I had been captured by the US, I’d have been abused, crated up and sent halfway around the world.” Not all Afghan women would share her view of the humanity and respect for human rights of the Taliban. Opposition to the US is not enough: communists would not replace imperialism with muslim fundamentalism.

Leanne Wood, leftwing Plaid Cymru member of the Welsh assembly, at least floated a new idea: “If Wales had a vote in the United Nations, we’d have voted for peace.” Just for something to do, I ended up wondering about how this might work. Would we perhaps adopt a policy of supporting independence for any geographical region likely to oppose the US in the UN, until progressive statelets outnumbered them in the general assembly with votes from members like Wales, Cornwall and the Basque country - all of whom have leftish independence movements?

The problem is that no vote was taken in the general assembly: only in the security council. Wales would have been fortunate indeed to enjoy temporary membership at the appropriate moment, and so the demand must be for Wales to join Russia and China as US-phobic, veto-wielding permanent members. Another problem: the security council did effectively ‘vote for peace’: the US never presented a resolution supporting invasion as they knew it would not pass.

Perhaps comrade Wood felt that the additional disapproval of an independent Welsh superpower would have made Bush think twice. Back on earth, though, she would do well to remember that the majority in England opposed the war too: the problem is not to divide the English from the Welsh, but to abolish the democratic deficit of the British government.

“I hope when we meet next year, Bush and Blair will be yesterday’s men.” Even if they were, are we to trust the world to John Kerry and Gordon Brown?

Jenny Tonge MP, sacked from the Liberal Democrat front bench for saying that she understood why the hopeless plight of the Palestinians might persuade some to become suicide bombers, sent a message of support: “Our stand against the war has been vindicated. We are more at risk of terrorism than ever.” Whether the “our” was a reference to the STWC or to the Liberal Democrats was unclear. STWC activists will remember how Charles Kennedy, who spoke at the STWC demo in Hyde Park on February 15 2003, then led his MP’s to “support our troops” once the war started.

Bob Crow, general secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport Union, attacked the Labour Party which had started the war, and then expelled the RMT for allowing its Scottish region to formally support the Scottish Socialist Party: “The government has cut thousands of jobs, but can afford the war. Prescott flew out to Spain to march against terrorism. But he is one of the terrorists who supported this war. If Labour won’t support working people, we won’t support them.”

Cut adrift from Labour, the support of the RMT south of the border is being hotly contested by Respect and the Greens. When Bob Crow spoke at the Green Party conference, he said: “The fact is that the Green Party promote railworkers and seafarers far more strongly than the Labour Party.” Since then, though, some English branches have voted to support Respect. For the moment, the general secretary stuck to the anti-Blair theme: “We say that not just Blair but his cabinet of war criminals must go!”

Left Labour MP Jeremy Corbyn had a message for his leader: “The people of Spain heard the lies of their government and kicked them out. Bush faces re-election in November. I suggest Blair listens to us and pulls the troops out.” He referred to Bush’s wider imperialist agenda: “This is the project of the New American Century: for US domination, forgetting that the rest of the world does not want to live the life of an American consumer. We represent ordinary people, here and around the world, who want lives of peace. Another world is possible, a world of peace and justice. You can’t have one without the other.”

Paul Mackney, general secretary of the National Association for Teachers in Further and Higher Education, spoke “on behalf of all those in colleges and universities who oppose the war. The STWC is still here and will not go away! We will keep coming back until the occupation is ended.” He too applauded the Spanish people: “They didn’t appease terrorism; they threw out a pack of liars!” He called on those present to “get ready for the European Social Forum in London, join a trade union, and join the struggle for justice! Together, we will build a better world!”

We then observed a minute’s silence for the dead of Iraq, the British servicemen who had been killed, and those killed in the Madrid bombings.

There was a definite coyness as the next speaker was announced. At the STWC conference, we had been given hints that there might be some surprises on the platform, but these had slipped to the back of my mind until recalled by the oblique way this introduction was going. The reason then became clear: violinist Nigel Kennedy was to address us.

I was somewhat startled, having not realised that Kennedy supported the anti-war movement. In fact, he spoke rather well: “The people living here and throughout the world want democracy, not capitalism and consumerism. One dictatorship being replaced by another by the US is not a solution.” He had bought his instrument, and played some music he felt had been written “for the human spirit”.

It was Bach. Conditions were not ideal for this recital, and the public address system introduced some jarring distortion, but the beauty of the music and the sheer unexpectedness of this pleasure provided a very special experience. I closed my eyes, felt the light rain fall on my face, and spent a grateful few moments away from all my immediate thoughts and frustrations. Looking around as the music faded, I saw I had not been alone.

Bruce Kent of CND then approached the microphone. I can never hear a CND speaker now without recalling the meetings the campaign organised in the 80s at which I spoke. Arguing that nuclear weapons were weapons of war, and war was a feature of capitalism, always brought me the same response: CND was not party political, and brought together all those who wished to abolish nuclear weapons, whatever their politics. These days, the CND argues politics, while the SWP worries about alienating monarchists and anti-immigrationists.

“I have a message for Tony Blair. He wants to ‘move on’. We think that’s a good idea. I’ll give him a lift to the Hague, and the international criminal court. I’m not a member of the Labour Party, but if they want any chance at the next election, they’ll move him on.”

He mocked the search for weapons of mass destruction: “They’ve had trouble finding WMDs: but it’s easy. Eight countries have got them, including Israel, the one we’re not allowed to mention.” CND had clearly lost its ‘non-political’ reticence: “The ESF is coming to London, for all those, like you, who don’t believe in capitalist exploitation. Another world is possible!”

Caroline Lucas, left Green MEP, echoed the ‘Blair out’ theme: “Our message to Tony Blair is simple. No more lies! We’ve had the Hutton whitewash, the UN bugging, the Katherine Gun affair: Tony Blair and his government must go!”

In a clear complaint about Respect’s founding claim to be “brought together by the great mass movement of our age”, she said: “Our movement is founded on diversity, and diversity is strength. No one political party has a monopoly on peace. Together, we will get closer to peace and justice.”

A message of support from the recently returned to Labour London mayor Ken Livingstone was read out: “Welcome to London. We are proud that London has played host to the largest demonstration in history; and everything that has happened since has shown we were justified to protest.”

Four children, youthful veterans of the school students protests, addressed the crowd with enviable confidence: “We’re here because a year ago, we walked out of school and took over Parliament Square. We were angry, and still are. Thousands of lives were lost and the threat of terrorism is still here. We cannot vote, but we can protest. I would ask you to use your votes to kick Blair out.”

Stewart Hemsley, chair of Pax Christi, added a biblical perspective: “The scriptures, which our jewish, and muslim brothers and sisters share with christians, contain words which sum up the British prime minister and government well. I quote: ‘Their words are full of deadly deceit; wicked lies roll off their tongues, and dangerous threats, like snake’s poison, from their lips; they open their mouths and pollute the air. They are quick to hurt and kill; they leave ruin and destruction wherever they go. They have not known the path of peace.’”

On a note I found personally cheering during a long afternoon’s note-taking, he added: “Today the prophets aren’t found in the churches, but in the few brave journalists who write and report truth.” A complementary copy of the Weekly Worker is on its way to the reverent gentlemen for these encouraging words.

He ended with a plea which would certainly take christian leaders back to a closer teaching of Jesus’s revolutionary message of freedom and social justice: “I close by repeating my call for the leaders of our churches to speak out boldly, loud and clear on these issues and add their voices to the cries of the poor, the oppressed, the prisoners, the ordinary people of this country and our world who long for justice and peace.”

Though doubtless sincere, I fear his call will be in vain. The established churches long ago made their deals with the oppressors. Individual christians will have to consult their own consciences, and reflect on the unmediated meaning of Christ’s words for themselves, to see where their loyalties should lie. As an atheist, I do not share their faith, but if I did I could only be a communist.

Lindsey German, convener of the STWC and editor of the SWP’s Socialist Review, spoke next: “I have nothing but contempt for the prime minister who speaks of good and evil though he knew the war would cause terrorism.” So what were we to do? “The Spanish people have shown the way, marching against terror and war, and voting against the government.” Marching and voting, the boot and the ballot box: the new revolutionary programme of the SWP. It is even enshrined on the Respect website: “Protest with your vote and your feet.”

Comrade German continued: “Our movement exists everywhere - keep demonstrating.” Marching and voting. “They are in crisis because of what you have done. We are the real force in British society.” Not the working class, not the organised labour movement, led by a revolutionary party, but a pacifist coalition led by political opportunists. Voting and marching. Come back Tony Cliff: all is forgiven.

George Galloway, presumably now Respect’s first and only MP, reflected on the lessons of Spain: “Brothers and sisters, comrades and friends. We must take two lessons from the people of Spain. They rejected the false dichotomy of terrorism or war: war is terrorism.” The solution? “That Spanish people also showed that after you march, you vote!” Ah, I was forgetting. “I will be standing in London as a candidate for Respect, to put some respect back into London! Join us to make that election the last nail in Tony Blair’s coffin.” He seemed to think that if he were elected an MEP, Blair would resign out of sheer chagrin.

Dr Azzam Tamimi spoke for the MAB: “My heart bleeds for the victims of the Madrid bombings. The criminals were provoked by Bush, Blair and Aznar: one down, two to go. We want genuine democracy. We must prepare ourselves for the next election. Let us join together - muslims, christians, atheists, whites, blacks - for a change of government.”

David Gentleman was introduced as the designer of the STWC posters: “Last year, I was so horrified by the invasion of Iraq I offered the STWC the first poster I did for them: it said simply, ‘No!’ The latest carries its own message.” (The ‘Bliar out’ placard being carried everywhere made explanation superfluous.) “I hope they have played a part in this movement so many have come to believe in.” Though it was not mentioned from the platform, the Respect website also credits David Gentleman as the designer of the multi-coloured ‘graffiti’ Respect logo.

Salvinder Singh Dhillon of the Indian Workers Association, and Respect candidate for the GLA seat of Ealing and Hillingdon, spoke of the scapegoating of muslims: “I am proud to join the thousands here and millions around the world in opposing the occupation of Iraq and blaming muslims for the consequences of Bush’s crimes. What could be more criminal than fighting terrorism by killing innocent people? The Spanish people have seen through this policy, as we can do on June 10. This movement has given rise to Respect, and we ask you to support us.”

David Shayler, imprisoned MI5 whistleblower and now civil libertarian, denied that Tony Blair was ever given intelligence linking Saddam Hussein to terrorists: “In fact, he acted as a brake on them.” From the horse’s mouth.

Carol Regan, chair of the Palestinian Solidarity Campaign, referred to Israeli military action as the “ethnic cleansing” of Palestinians. The so-called Israeli security fence being built in the occupied territories “is not for security, and is not a fence”.

The last speaker was another celebrity surprise: and if I had been taken aback at the introduction of Nigel Kennedy, I was gobsmacked this time. Our final speaker would be... former super-middleweight boxing champion, Chris Eubank.

To be fair, comrade Eubank had already been in the news for campaigning against the war. He drove a truck covered in anti-war slogans to Downing Street in October last year, sounded the horn for a full minute, and demanded to be arrested. The police, showing their typical disregard for the rights of protestors, refused. He left, and came back later, this time reversing his truck into a delivery van: and was finally cuffed and wheeled away. It was a spirited, if eccentric, protest.

“I am a fighter, as you know. I am courageous, and strong. But I am afraid. Afraid because I can’t see how to make a difference. The government we have elected to represent us are not listening.” At the recent ‘Pride of Britain’ awards ceremony, the boxer had taken the issue up directly with Tony Blair: “I said, ‘If you want people to respect you in years to come, you must undo what you have done.’ He looked me deep in the eye, and said nothing.” Eubank warned us he had something to say to Blair that we might not like: “I believe that you are one of the best politicians in the world, but you are wrong, and you have the intellect and emotional courage to fix the problem you have made.”

There can be little doubt that Chris Eubank thinks and speaks for himself, and this is worthy of respect. In his own, admittedly distinctive, way, he probably voiced the feeling of many who protested when nearly two million marched into Hyde Park on February 15 2003: people who had real faith in the current political system, who felt genuinely let down by Tony Blair, and who may have been joining a demonstration for the first time in their lives. To those who still have faith in the leadership of the world’s professional, bourgeois politicians, we must present our argument: they fail to represent ordinary people not because they are individually bad, but because their very job is to maintain a capitalist society, and a capitalist society is one in which the interests of a small ruling class simply cannot be reconciled with those of ordinary people.

Of course, this is also the answer to the SWP leadership, and their moonshine of equating ‘Blair out’ with regime change at home. Regime change lies not in the defeat of a single politician, however despicable he may be. When Thatcher’s fall finally came - after years of chanting, ‘Maggie, Maggie, Maggie! Out, out, out!’ - did it bring liberation to working people? When the entire Conservative government fell in 1997, did that repeal the anti-trade union laws, or open our borders, or bring democracy and social justice?

The SWP is not providing leadership to Chris Eubank. He is campaigning against the war, and may yet be persuaded that it requires revolutionary change and not tinkering reform. The SWP already knows this, but seeks to hide this understanding from the STWC and Respect fronts it has created for fear of losing support.

Whatever dreams of political relevance this brings the leadership of the SWP, it cannot indefinitely satisfy its rank and file, which contains many sincere and committed socialists who work hard not to get George Galloway elected again (he has been elected before, and that has not changed society), but to achieve democracy and social justice in the interests of the working class, and through them, humanity.

If I might be forgiven for recording a personal anniversary, this article marks one year of writing for the Weekly Worker. My first report appeared under the title, “Leadership lags behind the led”, and described the Hyde Park demonstration organised by the STWC, against the invasion of Iraq (March 22 2003).

In that report, I wrote: “Lindsey German ... promised that she will ‘continue to demonstrate as long as it takes’, but if that is all she does she may be demonstrating long after the US has occupied, set up their puppet government and left. The SWP claims to be a revolutionary party, seeing wars like this one as symptomatic of the imperialist rule of the few, and only reversible by the action of the working class: and in this we agree. Why not a word of this to the thousands listening to her.”

Well, the US has occupied, set up their puppet government and plans to hand over ‘sovereignty’ to them in a few months. Lindsey has been as good as her word, and is still demonstrating: but she still has not found her voice. Last year she played the moderate to appease the supposed gentle stomachs of the anti-war movement, and this year to maximise a soft Respect vote. She is underestimating the will and understanding of the protestors who bravely demonstrated in Britain and around the world last Saturday.

One year on, the leadership still lags behind the led