Alf Filer argues that the Progressive London Conference happening this weekend is a step backwards. He also has an unfashionable bee in his bonnet about top down anti-democratic leadership and organising practices.
My piece yesterday on The National Centre for Social Research and The National Equality
Panel reports overlaps with some of this.
The latest attempt to rejuvenate the Livingstone leadership over London in a cross party conference planned for this weekend is a step backwards and to the right, offering no real resistance or meaningful strategy. A popular front approach involving the right of the Labour Party and a few Lib Dems such as Lembit Opik is not what the working class and dispossessed of London need.
Harriet Harman and Ed Milliband, are I suppose, going to explain why their government, responsible for pursuing policies even the Tories did not dare to do, is really a misunderstood progressive bunch after all. Perhaps they will explain why an illegal war is to the benefit of Londoners and that they really are pursuing pro-working class policies. This in the same week as it is announced that the gap between the rich and poor has widened! Oh yes there will be a session on Afghanistan but do not expect a public apology from them.
As for having the Leaders of the GLA and Richmond Lib Dems, well is this another attempt at a failed Lib Lab pact. Are Londoners to seek answers from a smaller Tory party? Has Nick Clegg’s lot changed colours or what does Ken know that we don’t know?
Yes the bulk of the speakers are from the labour and trade union movement and yes the sessions involve key issues facing us in fighting the right. However is this campaign going to promote a strengthening of the fight back? Clearly Ken is attempting to resurrect his leadership bid for a future mayoral candidacy but why involve Liberals in this?
Londoners do not need a cross party cross class alliance. This is a recipe for disaster. An anti-capitalist alliance based on working class policies which challenge the interests of profit yes. This talking shop can not be converted into appropriate action if it ties the movement to a leadership bent on popular front strategies.
The campaigners who give legitimacy to this type of forum should be asking how to unite their campaigns with the independent struggles of the working class and not to pursue the formulas that have failed the labour movement in the past. Campaigns on fighting racism, fascism, globalisation, climate change, discrimination and war will not be served well by depending on those who will support the interests of capital.
No doubt it will be considered heretical to dare challenge from the Left any initiatives by Ken and co but our movement should be based on the independent self organisation of the working class and not rely on so-called heroes of the movement and expect them to lead us out of the wilderness. A united front yes not a popular front.
Liam redux 
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