Liam redux

Convention Of The Left

  The convention was preceded by a Stop The War march past New Labour’s conference. My guess, and that of most people I spoke to, was that it was in the region of 4000 strong with a fairly good local mobilisation and the hard core anti war activists from other parts of England, Wales and…

Liam
2–3 minutes

 

image The convention was preceded by a Stop The War march past New Labour’s conference. My guess, and that of most people I spoke to, was that it was in the region of 4000 strong with a fairly good local mobilisation and the hard core anti war activists from other parts of England, Wales and Scotland.

Consider what follows random first impressions rather than a finished account of the event.

On Saturday and Sunday there was around 2-300 people in the room at any one time with a strong representation of activists from the north west of England. Many of them were thoroughly engaged with the process and are palpably keen to find some vehicle for joint political action.image

Rather too much of the discussion was taken up with set piece propaganda speeches rather than a meaningful attempt to engage with real politics. There’s something about the phrase “I’m speaking on behalf of the International Bolshevik Tendency…” that always brings on a mild headache. And this is where I think the major structural weakness of the conference lay. The discussions on unity and cooperation were abstract. It was Pat Sikorski speaking on behalf of the RMT who most successfully tried to give some real guidance on what was necessary for this unity to become real. He asserted that there imagecan be no separation between the industrial and the political and indicated the alliances that were possible between groups of workers and the communities that will be affected by rises in fuel and food prices over the coming months. 

There were a couple of big positives about the event. The first was the complete lack of manipulation and the absence of a top down approach. Introductory remarks were kept short and served the purpose of kicking off a discussion rather than setting an agenda. The choice of speakers was utterly random and unpredictable which made for a free flowing discourse rather than set piece debates. It was a successful and determined attempt to build real political pluralism into the event.

It’s too early  to say if this conference will be a trigger for similar regional initiatives. It certainly has a future as a counterpoint to Labour Party conferences but it was the first time in a long time that such a wide cross section of the left have had so many civilised conversations over the space of a weekend.

Thanks to Richard Searle for the photos.

 

 

29 responses to “Convention Of The Left”

  1. bill j Avatar
    bill j

    Speaking for myself I have to say I was very pleased by both the Saturday and Sunday events.
    There was really an unprecedented level of participation in all the sessions from the audience. A really refreshing and open atmosphere where differences were debated and discussed in an almost without exception comradely fashion.
    The speaker from Huddersfield summed it up for me when he said how he felt that this really did feel different from the standard left events.
    Great.

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  2. Vicky Avatar
    Vicky

    I think you’re hugely overestimating the number of people who were at both the demo and convention!

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  3. bill j Avatar
    bill j

    Don’t know about the demo, but at the Convention on the Saturday I counted around 200 inside the meeting at any one time and there was quite a flow in and out, so I’d say 250.
    On the Sunday the room was set out with 200 chairs, it was never quite full, but at times it almost was and again there was a surprisingly large in and out during different sessions.
    Probably a total of 300-400 different people over the weekend.

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  4. Liam Avatar
    Liam

    I agree with Bill’s figures. You always have to take account of people moving in and out and neither hall ever looked empty once the sessions had started.

    As for the demo that’s guesswork based on experience and talking to people.

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  5. bill j Avatar
    bill j

    Another interesting thing happened yesterday. At the beginning of the process back in March, the organising group suggested that we hold a meeting on anti-fascism and that we invite Weyman Bennett to address it.
    If my memory serves me, I think it was actually me that made the original suggestion – although it was then taken up and agreed by everyone, including various SWP contributors.
    Weyman was not contacted for a couple of months, as it was still early days, but so keen were the SWP to have him participate that they re-raised it, the original decision was reaffirmed and Weyman was confirmed as a speaker at our anti-fascism meeting.
    Yesterday it was revealed that after having accepted our invitation, and after we had publicised the meeting widely, Weyman Bennett and UAF had arranged *another* separate meeting, at exactly the same time, but in a different place.
    UAF’s excuse was that the *always* have a meeting at 6.00pm on the Monday evening of Labour Party conference.
    So embarrassed were local SWP UAFers that they did make Weyman briefly attend the COTL meeting, before running off.
    Unity anyone?

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  6. swp member Avatar
    swp member

    Sounds more like cock-up than conspiracy to me. Why send people to speak in some sessions then play hard to get in others?

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  7. Jason Avatar
    Jason

    Some discussion here as well
    http://permanentrevolution.net/entry/2314

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  8. Peter Cranie Avatar
    Peter Cranie

    A really positive and lively discussion in the Transport session this afternoon which I really enjoyed. The Guardian have covered this http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/blog/2008/sep/23/labour.labourconference

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  9. bill j Avatar
    bill j

    A very downbeat review in Socialist Worker here;
    http://www.socialistworker.co.uk/art.php?id=16029

    “Last weekend’s Convention of the Left in Manchester had a great array of speakers and produced a fine statement but it largely attracted activists from the far left.

    The task facing socialists is to construct a left in every town and city. This requires us to be integral to movements against war and fascism and of the trade unions. Socialist Worker will of course promote and build the SWP but we also have to create a wider community of left wing activists.”

    Looks like its back to the party.

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  10. Liam Avatar
    Liam

    Shows how much they know. One very tangible result from the Convention is that there will be a campaign around fuel prices involving a new and interesting configuration of forces. Watch this space.

    As for the UAF thing cockup trumps conspiracy for me every time.

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  11. Joseph Kisolo Avatar
    Joseph Kisolo

    Return to the party? Maybe but the line, “we also have to create a wider community of left wing activists.” is at least a glimmer of hope that they might keep the perspective of broad left unity (or a reference mainly to stop the war, who knows)

    I can’t make the least day of the conference today but the parts I have been to have generally had an air of excitement and fraternalism. SW is correct that the bulk of attendants were from the pre-existing left, which was a shame because the line of topics and breadth of speakers potencially could have reached a far wider audience. However, it should be noted that the ‘pre-existing left’ has been rather fragmented and a coming together of them is in itself an achievement. As is the coalescing around the ‘80% we agree on’ which was a common theme of the conference.

    There are talks about taking the convention model and replicating it with ongoing local conventions. I think that this could work but that there are real dangers. If they fail to push out these could become talking shops dominated by the most aggressive hardlefties determined that we should have a maximalist program or dominated by any numerically dominant group and thus percived as a ‘frount’ for them, either way will stop us reaching those we need to reach (the potentially-existing-left) and would be a road to nowhere.

    If there are to be continuing forums then I would suggest that they need a focus, and this could be provided by seeing them as paths towards a truly organic radical Charter.

    Such a Charter and the process of creating it could be some thing that people could firstly unite around, secondly become networked around and thirdly possibly provide the basis for any future talks about forming a united left group and standing in elections.

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  12. David Ellis Avatar
    David Ellis

    If you could have got the Convention to agree that everybody would work towards the re-election of Britain’s most pre-eminent anti-war politician that would have been something.

    As for the forums, with out a practical orientation to building Respect, the SWP and the other sects will wreck them.

    By the way Liam: on this one I’d go conspiracy over cock-up every time.

    Pity the PR people can’t get over their own sectarianism and join Respect though.

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  13. Joseph Kisolo Avatar
    Joseph Kisolo

    Well we can either get all huffy that people should join Respect, like socialist party activists getting all huffy that people should join the camapign for a new workers party, or we can face up to the situation we are in.

    A situation where none of us has enough wieght to push forward on our own (though of course Respect members can make small gains in the areas where work has allready been put in).

    A situation where trust has been erroded but where the need for unity is as strong as ever.

    A agree that forums will be wrecked if they have no practicle orientation (the danager is more from the hard left micro-groups then the SWP in my opinion). Thats why I suggested the Charter idea. I know that some others are thinking along the same lines, why don’t you engage with the processes that are actually happening rather then wish fulfilment.

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  14. David Ellis Avatar
    David Ellis

    There is nothing huffy and puffy about what I said. Nor did I say people must join Respect.

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  15. Jason Avatar
    Jason

    Perhaps not but you did say, “As for the forums, with out a practical orientation to building Respect, the SWP and the other sects will wreck them.”

    and, “Pity the PR people can’t get over their own sectarianism and join Respect though.”

    I think if any left is to grow it has get beyond the join us as the only option mentality. I am in PR and I and every one else I know in the organisation is more than happy to work alongside many activists including those in Respect to rebuild rank and file networks, to rebuild and connect campaigns, to begin to address questions about building a working class movement and perhaps even a left or socialist party where possible- a little way off for now but a possibility. There are urgent and important campaigns coming up over fuel prices, against privatisation, against deportations and racism.

    Let’s use the success of the CoL and beyond to build all these networks and connect the various struggles.

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  16. Jason Avatar
    Jason

    Interesting if somewhat sniffy (and indeed huffy) Guardian article here http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/sep/23/labour.labourconference
    with link to a good flyer though

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  17. Jason Avatar
    Jason

    http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/sep/23/labour.labourconference

    This’ll probably post twice now knowing my luck with wordpress- or not all!

    Interesting if somehat sniffy article with link to very interesting flyer!

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  18. Jason Avatar
    Jason

    http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/sep/23/labour.labourconference

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  19. David Ellis Avatar
    David Ellis

    The difference between the SP and its CNWP front and Respect is that the latter is a coalition of different forces with a connection to one of the most oppressed sections of the working class where there is no need to abandon your politics to be in it merely make a limited practical agreement to get Respect candidates elected.

    Jason, will you be calling for the re-election of GG as things stand in the next general election? Do you think it is sectarian of me to ask you that? If you are for it why not work actively for it and gain yourself a wider audience?

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  20. Jason Avatar
    Jason

    It isn’t of course sectarian to ask for it. But I’m far from convinced that it is a good idea- I’d have supported Galloway the first time round at the height of the anti-war movement or just after but the record is since is hardly unblemished. There’s his voting record, the rightward drift from the Socialist Alliance into Respect and its splitting, the record on women’s rights, on the deportation of gay activist to Iran and all sorts of matters. However, it is still a matter of tactcis- does a vote for Galloway help organise class struggle and the activation of workers and campaigners in the East End, strengthening the wrking class and improving our prospects for organisation. I’m not convinced. But I am more than happy to work in wider campaigns with people who are.

    Whatever our different views on Galloway we can and should work together in the anti-privatisation campaigns, against imperialist war and racism, for the rebuilding of the working class movement.

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  21. Liam Avatar
    Liam

    “Does a vote for Galloway help organise class struggle and the activation of workers and campaigners in the East End?”

    It’s a rhetorical question but a tough one Jason.

    Offered a choice between scab, war supporter, privatiser, government minister Jim Fitzpatrick and George Galloway who is none of these things it’s a hard decision to make. It would take me a couple of nanoseconds.

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  22. Clive Searle Avatar
    Clive Searle

    Jason – you really depress me sometimes. Get a grip.

    Do you think a victory for Jim Fitzpatrick or the Tories in the East End will “help organise class struggle and the activation of workers and campaigners”

    I’d have thought the tactics were rather clear.

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  23. Richard Searle Avatar
    Richard Searle

    Jason
    It’s a no-brainer !,
    ( consider yourself bollocked on that issue)

    Still back to the Convention of the Left, a healthy, small but significant step forward..

    If we can’t unite practically the sensible bits of the left why would on earth would should we expect any one else to join in.

    The next step forward now is ‘relevance’

    That’s the ‘doing’ stuff bit

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  24. Prinkipo Exile Avatar
    Prinkipo Exile

    Jason, you have posted some quite sensible things on here, but that one really is stupid. Will PR be advocating voting for Labour candidates in every constituency in the country? You will have zero credibility among the left you claim you want to work with if you do.

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  25. JohnP Avatar
    JohnP

    “Return to the party? Maybe but the line, “we also have to create a wider community of left wing activists.” is at least a glimmer of hope that they might keep the perspective of broad left unity (or a reference mainly to stop the war, who knows)”

    That line shows that the SWP wants to go back to dominating groups rather than being part of something (for example, launching its own charter, but hiding its own authorship of it, instead of joining with the other charters).

    The clue is in the fact that rather than say “we have to be part of creating a wider community of left-wing activists”, they say “we have to create a wider community of left wing activists”.

    Spot the ideological difference.

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  26. Adamski Avatar
    Adamski

    Surely Jason is just pedalling the same argument that RR supporters on this thread used to oppose a vote for the only revolutionary socialist standing for Mayor (though he doesn’t call for a vote for a fluffy Green). RR said a vote for Lindsey German would aid a project they believed was flawed, Jason replied with the same argument on GG.

    Though PRs vote Labour line is a road to nowhere.

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  27. Chris Brooks Avatar
    Chris Brooks

    Comrades wanting to get prepared for the fuel poverty campaign should check out http://www.nea.org.uk

    Jason, it’s clear that a defeat for Galloway by Labour would set back the confidence of revolutionary-minded working people in East London. The presence of an open, positive, organised and viable alternative on the left also encourages the self-activity of radicals. But the campaign’s impact is clearly determined by the numbers, energy and insight of the people there. As it happens, they have some amazing working-class activists. But if a few comrades from outside Respect joined the campaign they would be noticed, and have an positive impact on the activists in the campaign, and on Respect’s base.

    And, of course, one can say the same for other left campaigns: we should be supporting members of Green Left, the LRC, Left Alternative and the Socialist Party when they run on progressive manifestos.

    That relationship between revolutionaries, vanguard and base has to be better understood. The SWP’s report says that the Convention was attended by many people who are already on the left, as if that’s a bad thing. Actually, 400 vanguard socialists with a common experience and proven ability will do more than 400 people who attend Marxism for the first time. And these weren’t 400 all in left groups, already working effectively. Something like the fuel poverty campaign can build up new working relationships and allow a lot of positive energies to be focussed.

    A bigger event would have been better of course. The balance of the audience was not what we could have dreamed of. As JohnP points out, the SWP’s comments show that, for them, the vanguard is to be avoided and they should go out to find new recruits to a parallel movement, as the WRP did in the 1970s.

    Adamski, your memory is playing tricks with you. Respect didn’t take a position on the Mayoral election, and its members had a free vote. The ISG said that the left should not vote for Livingstone 1st preference, and therefore either German or Berry should be supported. Both are socialists to the left of Labour but, because Berry’s campaign had numerous advantages, the ISG voted for the Green Left member. But it could easily have gone the other way. PR doesn’t have a similar position: as far as I can see, it have a strategic orientation towards Labour. Their found statement says “Of course we don’t think voting Labour will defeat fascism. We need to defeat them on the streets and through a fight for a real revolutionary alternative to capitalism. But we do think it is necessary – indeed it is an elementary united front tactic – to block them building an electoral base for fascism wherever we can.”

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  28. Adamski Avatar
    Adamski

    If you are in South Wales on Saturday there is a mass demonstration against fuel price rises:

    Read Leanne Wood AM, Plaid Cymru member of Welsh Assembly on protest
    http://leannewoodamac.blogspot.com/2008/09/demonstrate-against-sky-high-gas-prices.html

    And another advert here:
    http://cardiffrespect.blogspot.com/2008/09/cardiff-gas-prices-fuel-poverty-protest.html

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  29. bill j Avatar
    bill j

    I think this obsession with elections is misconceived. Galloways isn’t up for re-election at the moment unless someone’s got some breaking news.
    The left will not be re-built by periodically standing (and usually losing) in the elections, it needs to fight for what the working class needs now.
    The COTL identified fuel poverty and a windfall tax as a good campaign around which we could fight and unite the left in a struggle for a key working class priority.
    I think we should look at how we are going to do that in the first instance.
    People can vote for who the like, as far as I’m concerned, given that there’s no election in which to vote.

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