tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6093114275469628673.post2788604500856017187..comments2023-06-02T17:22:43.445+01:00Comments on Luna17: Is the united front a 'right wing' strategy?luna17http://www.blogger.com/profile/03754650933188634442noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6093114275469628673.post-39556479814125032352009-11-21T09:33:17.419+00:002009-11-21T09:33:17.419+00:00Hi Colin,
Thanks for your comment.
A number of ...Hi Colin,<br /><br />Thanks for your comment. <br /><br />A number of us spent 10 months repeatedly arguing that, whatever the differences, we should be able to discuss issues in a tolerant atmosphere free of put-downs, personal abuse etc. This is, sadly, not what happened. Back in February I sent a letter to the National Secretary raising concerns about the intimidating behaviour of a comrade, hoping he would discreetly persuade him to moderate his behaviour. <br /><br />This was instead turned against me. Lies were told - members of my own branch were informed I'd lodged a 'formal complaint' (no I hadn't), requesting disciplinary procedures (er, no) because I alleged the comrade had 'assaulted' someone (I'd never claimed that). This helped poison some people's minds against a number of us. <br /><br />In this atmosphere it becomes impossible to discuss anything. There was so much misinformation at a district meeting in June that Tony Dowling and I wrote a very long refutation which went through things point by point, but were then not allowed to circulate it. So people only ever got one side of the story. <br /><br />A highly confrontational approach has been adopted, in which the leadership and its supporters raise the spectre of consorting with 'anti-party elements'. This is ludicrous: activists NOT in the SWP aren't 'anti-party', they're just not in the SWP! It is one of the tell-tale signs of sectarianism. <br /><br />So, as always, I hope for shared work in wider initiatives, though in Tyneside it's probably hoping against hope. Nobody is on speaking terms with anyone any more, which is the sad result of a small number of people being allowed to spread lies and myths while people's legitimate concerns about conduct are ignored. It is also a symptom of the broader differences, which I think run deeper than most people realise - not at the abstract level, but in strategy, tactics and forms of organisation.luna17https://www.blogger.com/profile/03754650933188634442noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6093114275469628673.post-59153567423451106122009-11-21T06:57:37.692+00:002009-11-21T06:57:37.692+00:00Hi Alex, Hi Florence (old friend)
It's good to...Hi Alex, Hi Florence (old friend)<br />It's good to see honest exchanges like this, though I'm not sure this blog is the best place to carry on the conversation when it relates to individual comrades (even unnamed ones). However the issues at stake are important.<br />Our movement doesn't grow in a linear fashion, we have had splits and expulsions and resignations, often based on personal differences or arguments about tactics and strategy that we should be able to conduct in a civilised fashion within the same organisation.<br />The result is that in many countries there are individuals, groups and even entire organisations that identify fully with the IS tradition but are not members of the 'official' organisation. That's the situation in France where I live, for example. <br />As long as we still share the same basic objectives and analyses we should be able to work together and even resolve some of the differences we've had in the past.<br />Or am I being hopelessly naive ?Colin Falconerhttp://le-nouveau-poireau-rouge.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6093114275469628673.post-25405360821785102602009-11-19T06:31:30.746+00:002009-11-19T06:31:30.746+00:00No offense luna, I just think that your contributi...No offense luna, I just think that your contribution in your blog so far has immensely benefitted me personally and I find it a shame that you are no longer a member of the SWP. In case you wonder what I meant by compromise; My compromise was that I refused to be baited into an argument with the district organiser or her supporters despite being the one who was right on all issues in question. It is now her who has been found to be on the wrong because of her endless lies about me and so she is no longer the DO. For the sake of the Party, I would not wish her to be expelled from the Party because each one of us who has the Party at heart what ever our disagreements are remains a valued member. Your disagreement with the Party leadership is therefore something I cannot comment on. I just wish that you were not expelled, that is why I say I empathise!florence durranthttp://floenced.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6093114275469628673.post-41842118491859989522009-11-18T21:44:24.756+00:002009-11-18T21:44:24.756+00:00Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences i...Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences in the comment above. Many other current members joined the SWP through united front work in recent years, whether Stop the War or GR or Respect or UAF. There is a wealth of experience of building campaigns and events, of working with others to achieve shared aims.<br /><br />Regarding your last paragraph, however, I have to point out that I didn't choose to leave the SWP. It's also erroneous to use the phrase 'could not compromise' - I compromised on a number of occasions. It is entirely reasonable to have different views on a number of issues, and this should be tolerated. Holding, and expressing, views which clash with the leadership does not mean working 'against the SWP'. Quite the opposite: expressing your opinions, even though you know you're in a minority, comes precisely from caring about your party's future.Luna17https://www.blogger.com/profile/17971631818273932413noreply@blogger.com