Tuesday 6 November 2007

Respect has split: set back or new opportunity?

The split in Respect - The Unity Coalition has been well documente elsewhere. I've no intention of going over the details here. (See http://www.socialistunity.com/ for the major documents of the split).

The fact is there are now two Respects. Respect-SWP, which is exactly that, the SWP, and maybe a hand full of their friends, and Respect Renewal, which is George Galloway - the sole MP, Salma Yacoob, most of the Tower Hamlets Cllrs, Linda Smith, Ken Loach and virtually all the independents.

The SWP's control freakery was a barrier to Respect developing. Key sections of the socialist and labour movement, as well as numerous individuals with negative past experiences of the

SWP, were clearly put off from joining it. Others joined and then left it again fairly quickly when the SWP acted to silence critical voices or were too domineering. As the largest component by far within Respect the SWP had a responsibility to tread carefully, to act in an ultra-inclusive and democratic fashion, and in doing so to prove their doubters and critics wrong. They failed to do this in quite some style.

So what next?

The Respect-SWP is not going to attract anyone to it. It is not a coalition in any way, just an SWP electoral front.

Respect Renewal (RR) on the other hand does appear to be looking outwards towards new forces. They also stand by the idea of building a pluralistic and democratic party.

One problem RR faces is that it is very small, maybe 800 members when the dust settles and the organisations are fully seperated. The SWP did provide most of the activists, especially so outside of Birmingham and East London. So RR will need to attract new members, and new organised forces, if it is to develop branches and activists across the country.

Another problem is the question of accountability, and specifically, George Galloway. He is a controvercial figure on the left to say the least. True, he is a fine speaker. And true again, he was the most outspoken critic of the war on Iraq.

However, there are some issues where most of the left and George Galloway clearly do not agree. This would not be such a problem if Galloway was democratically fully accountable to the organisation. His comments to the press, in parliament, his actions, income, business dealings etc. should be inline with the organisation's democratic decisions and appropriate for a socialist MP. He is such a dominant figure that this may not be easy. How would he respond to any attempt to make him fully accountable?

Democratic accountability would also need to be applied to the Respect Cllrs. Would they attend local branch meetings? Would they adhere the collective democratic decisions reached at? Would they act inline with national policies and decisions?

These questions are unknowns. The fact that Respect has not seemingly been able to hold its representatives fully accountable in the past does make sections of the left, the trade union movement and individual activists warry of joining it. If RR can quickly prove that it will operate in a different way to the past, and that the elected representatives will be fully accountable, then maybe these doubts can be overcome and more forces can be attracted on board.

There are also political issues that need to be resolved. It's absolutely crucial that RR turns away from opportunism. It must appeal to all sections of the working class, whatever race, sex, religion or nationaloty, on a class basis. There can be no hint of appealing to people on a religious, ethnic of national basis.

Of course, defence of religious and ethnic minorities from attack, defence of civil liberties and opposition to racism must be key policies and areas to campaign on. But this is entirely different to deliberately highlighting the religious beliefs or ethnicity of a particular candidate. Likewise, the support of religious leaders or scholars should not be sought after in an attempt to deliver more votes.

RR must be clearly a party for the working class, the oppressed, and for socialism. It's public material needs to contain far more class content and, at the very least, to mention what socialism is and why we struggle for the creation of a democratic socialist society.

If RR can overcome these problems, if it takes an outward looking and welcoming approach, then it could potentially grow, attract new forces on board, and play an important role in the creation of a new mass party of the working class and for socialism.

As a first step RR should open discussions with other forces including the RMT, FBU, PCS, CNWP, SP, CPB, Bob Wareing MP, LRC, AGS and others. RR should also invite these organisations to send visitors to their conference on November 17th.

185 comments:

Anonymous said...

"The Respect-SWP is not going to attract anyone to it. It is not a coalition in any way, just an SWP electoral front"

The one objection that came up when canvassing on the doorstep time and time again was not 'oh no, you're that SWP-front party, aren't you?'

If we're being honest, most ordinary people have never heard of the SWP.

The single most frequent objection on the doorstep was that we were the party with a certain controversial figure in our ranks.

Time for some honesty.

Anonymous said...

Indeed.
Galloway,Big Brother and Oil Cash were the salient issues.

Neil Williams said...

Wrong and just not true!

Time after time both on the door step (and I have covered many 100's miles and 1000's of doors over the last three years in many parts of the country) and on the Respect Stalls over three years I have heard mainly nothing but praise about George Galloway from ordinary working people and young people (yes you get the odd exception to this rule.

Pehaps you really mean that some on the left from small unrepresentative groups have problems with GG.

George Galloway is an asset to any progressive, socialist organisation with an international reputation (built on action and leadership) as one of the key leaders of the anti-war movement.

I am pround to have him as a friend and 'brother' in the struggle to create a left alternative to the 'New Labour' Party.

I do not hand out praise like this lightly - it is based on experiance in action over the last three years.

It odd that the only people in the UK who think that George Galloway is moving to the right is the SWP and a few from tiny revolutionary groups that represent no one!

Now just how do they think they will be able to work with others on the left both in the Labour Party, CPGB, Left Greens and Greens, CND, the environmental movement and Trade Union movement etc etc if they adopt this attitude to someone with GG's record of progressive struggle?

Neil Williams

Anonymous said...

I have to agree with Neil. The only people I've met who have an opinion on Galloway tend to be other leftists. "Normal" people remember him either from Big Brother, the Battle of Capitol Hill, or saluting Saddam. He's a complex character who nevertheless has an impressive campaigning record and deserves the critical support of serious leftists IMO. However, though I'm cautiously optimistic about Renewal's prospects and wish the project well, it will stand or fall on the relationship the new organisation establishes with its elected representatives.

Anonymous said...

This split can be a disaster and you can be sure some people are trying to make it that or a genuine new left party could emerge - we need to snatch victory from defeat

Anonymous said...

tramadol online tramadol ratiopharm 100 mg bei kopfschmerzen - tramadol 37.5 addiction

Anonymous said...

order tramadol online mastercard buy tramadol online new zealand - tramadol 50mg and ibuprofen

Anonymous said...

lorazepam without prescription ativan online canada - ativan dosage how long does it last

Anonymous said...

ativan online generic name for ativan - cheap ativan online

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online no prescription cheap buy tramadol usa - generic tramadol an 627

Anonymous said...

buy klonopin online klonopin dosage sizes - klonopin withdrawal lexapro

Anonymous said...

buy klonopin 2mg klonopin street value - which generic klonopin is the best

Anonymous said...

ativan no prescription ativan xanax conversion - ativan side effects addiction

Anonymous said...

order ativan online ativan withdrawal constipation - ativan intensol

Anonymous said...

order tramadol tramadol withdrawal exercise - tramadol hcl 100mg side effects

Anonymous said...

klonopin buy generic klonopin online - 5-htp for klonopin withdrawal

Anonymous said...

tramadol no prescription generic ultram online - order tramadol cod nc

Anonymous said...

klonopin pill klonopin 2mg high - klonopin online

Anonymous said...

tramadol 100 tramadol hcl for anxiety - tramadol hcl vs percocet

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol without prescriptions buy tramadol online no rx - tramadol 50 mg high snort

Anonymous said...

buy ambien online ambien 10 mg info - new generic ambien cr

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol buy tramadol discover card - tramadol withdrawal long

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol cheap no prescription tramadol online australia - tramadol online cod

Anonymous said...

buy somas soma drug forms - buy soma with american express

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online tramadol vs vicodin high - tramadol hcl how much to get high

Anonymous said...

soma online soma cost - buy somatropin eurohormones

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol zydol tramadol dosage - generic tramadol online

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol with cod лекарство трамадол - where to buy ultram

Anonymous said...

online soma buy soma online legal - soma tab

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol cheap no prescription tramadol hcl 225 mg - ultram side effects weight loss

Anonymous said...

ativan for sale ativan 0.25 mg - can you buy lorazepam online

Anonymous said...

order tramadol online tramadol tylenol - tramadol 50 mg equivalent

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol in florida buy tramadol hong kong - tramadol for dogs fever

Anonymous said...

klonopin online klonopin withdrawal rash - klonopin side effects sleep

Anonymous said...

tramadol online трамадол таблетки - buy tramadol online

Anonymous said...

soma online soma lingerie - soma online overnight

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol tramadol apap high - tramadol vs hydrocodone withdrawal

Anonymous said...

buy zolpidem online ambien price insurance - ambien cr for sleep

Anonymous said...

buy klonopin online canada buy clonazepam online pharmacy - klonopin withdrawal duration

Anonymous said...

buy viagra generic online viagra no prescription online - viagra buy online cheap

Anonymous said...

ambien for sale no prescription get high ambien - ambien withdrawal program

Anonymous said...

carisoprodol online cheap soma online overnight - soma san diego twitter

Anonymous said...

ambien cr ambien cr 7 night free trial - ambience mall gurgaon big bazaar

Anonymous said...

cheap tramadol no prescription tramadol 50mg norsk - tramadol zydus

Anonymous said...

buy ambien online without prescription buy cheap ambien online no prescription - ambien 6.5 mg

Anonymous said...

buy viagra online buy viagra online no rx - buy 1 viagra

Anonymous said...

viagra online order viagra internet - viagra united states

Anonymous said...

soma drug soma perfect drug brave new world - soma 350 mg drug interactions

Anonymous said...

buy generic tramadol no prescription purchase tramadol online cod - tramadol online rx

Anonymous said...

carisoprodol no prescription cheap watson soma - cheap soma online overnight

Anonymous said...

klonopin mg klonopin used high blood pressure - klonopin withdrawal from .5mg

Anonymous said...

where can i buy ambien online ambien dosage in mg - cost of generic ambien at walmart

Anonymous said...

order ambien without prescriptions ambien cr 6.25 generic - ambien cr 12.5 high

Anonymous said...

zolpidem without prescription ambien drug test fail - how to buy ambien in mexico

Anonymous said...

buy viagra online buy generic viagra online free shipping - purchase viagra ireland

Anonymous said...

buy sildenafil generic viagra 100mg sildenafil - viagra long does take work

Anonymous said...

buy viagra super active best way to buy viagra in uk - cheap viagra next day delivery

Anonymous said...

how to buy viagra online safely buy generic viagra us - does generic viagra work forum

Anonymous said...

sildenafil 100mg viagra online is it safe - generic viagra canada online pharmacy

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online cod tramadol order online tramadol 50mg - buy tramadol in usa no prescription

Anonymous said...

online soma aura soma 90 - soma online no rx

Anonymous said...

how to buy viagra online buy real viagra online - buy viagra from canada online

Anonymous said...

buy viagra online purchase viagra from canada - should buy generic viagra

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online no prescription cheap tramadol 400 - dealing with tramadol addiction

Anonymous said...

buy soma cheap soma overnight delivery - cheap haircut soma

Anonymous said...

order viagra online india viagra online germany - order viagra cialis

Anonymous said...

buy viagra generic viagra online canada no prescription - best place buy viagra online

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol uk where to buy tramadol online usa - lowest dosage tramadol

Anonymous said...

tramadol no prescription buy tramadol online visa - 100mg of tramadol high

Anonymous said...

can you buy viagra at walmart cheap viagra online canadian pharmacy - buy generic viagra online in u.s

Anonymous said...

viagra online viagra 100mg price - viagra buy uk cheap

Anonymous said...

purchase propecia buy propecia new zealand - how to order propecia

Anonymous said...

order cialis from canada order cialis online with prescription - cialis manufacturer coupon

Anonymous said...

buy generic tramadol tramadol 377 high - tramadol 50 mg kapszula

Anonymous said...

cialis online buy cialis for cheap - buy cialis online safely

Anonymous said...

order tramadol overnight tramadol 50mg what is it used for - tramadol hcl like vicodin

Anonymous said...

buy viagra now viagra sublingual dosage - can buy viagra dublin

Anonymous said...

strattera price how to order strattera - strattera prescribed weight loss

Anonymous said...

sildenafil no prescription viagra dosage young men - can buy viagra online canada

Anonymous said...

tramadol 100mg tramadol zoloft - tramadol hcl online

Anonymous said...

buy propecia generic propecia canada pharmacy - propecia no prescription forum

Anonymous said...

buy cialis prescription online cialis tablets reviews - cialis going generic

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online order tramadol medication - tramadol 50mg 319

Anonymous said...

propecia online buy propecia with paypal - generic propecia patent expiration

Anonymous said...

buy retin a gel retin a micro sizes - retin a gel or creme

Anonymous said...

order propecia online reviews of propecia users - propecia side effects are rare

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol no rx tramadol 50 mg oral tablet - tramadol hcl 50 mg get you high

Anonymous said...

tramadol online tramadol 100mg high - the diversion of ultram ultracet and generic tramadol hcl

Anonymous said...

buy propecia propecia uses - generic propecia 1mg or 5mg

Anonymous said...

retin a buy online buy retin a 0.1 online - buy retin a cheap

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol free shipping tramadol buy overnight - tramadol hcl withdrawal symptoms

Anonymous said...

tramadol online pharmacy tramadol hcl shelf life - buy tramadol overnight saturday delivery

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online tramadol 50 mg and alcohol - cheap tramadol usa

Anonymous said...

buy propecia online propecia 4 months - propecia thinning hair

Anonymous said...

tramadol no prescription buy tramadol online no prescription cod - generic tramadol online

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol without a script can i buy tramadol online - tramadol hcl vicodin

Anonymous said...

buy retin a cream retin a micro tretinoin gel reviews - can you buy retin usa

Anonymous said...

tramadol 50mg buy tramadol online missouri - what does 100 mg tramadol look like

Anonymous said...

finasteride mg propecia 4 month results - propecia rogaine results photos

Anonymous said...

order tramadol online cod tramadol online no script - can tramadol for dogs be crushed

Anonymous said...

order tramadol online tramadol buzz - tramadol hcl naproxen

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol 100mg online buy tramadol usa online - tramadol withdrawal paws

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol buy tramadol no prescription usa - tramadol hcl 50 mg used

Anonymous said...

viagra online buy cheap viagra online us - generic viagra sildenafil

Anonymous said...

generic cialis buy cialis cheap online - buy cialis online discount

Anonymous said...

order tramadol tramadol dosage mg/kg - is it legal to buy tramadol online us

Anonymous said...

viagra no prescription generic viagra low price - buy viagra real

Anonymous said...

tramadol online no prescription tramadol 50 mg - buy generic tramadol

Anonymous said...

generic cialis cialis yorumlar? - cialis online de

Anonymous said...

cheap viagra buy viagra online overnight shipping - does viagra work if you have low testosterone

Anonymous said...

viagra online without prescription viagra buy in singapore - cheapest generic viagra 100mg

Anonymous said...

buy viagra generic viagra without prescriptions - can i buy viagra at walmart

Anonymous said...

viagra pills buy pfizer viagra online us - viagra online to australia

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol buy tramadol online cod - tramadol dosage people

Anonymous said...

generic cialis buy cialis canada pharmacy - cialis young men reviews

Anonymous said...

order viagra online viagra buy online cheap - viagra how to take

Anonymous said...

viagra online without prescription buy 5 viagra pills - cialis vs viagra buy online

Anonymous said...

generic cialis difference between cialis daily 36 hour - viagra cialis price comparison

Anonymous said...

cheap generic viagra buy viagra online thailand - express viagra online 8080

Anonymous said...

generic cialis cialis online cheapest - buy cialis without perscription

Anonymous said...

buy cialis cialis online cheapest - generic cialis jelly

Anonymous said...

buy cialis no prescription canada generic cialis online pharmacy - purchase cheap cialis soft tabs

Anonymous said...

viagra online without prescription viagra without ed - viagra for women sale

Anonymous said...

generic viagra buy viagra london us - buy viagra korea

Anonymous said...

generic cialis cialis kosher for passover - cheap cialis

Anonymous said...

cheap tadalafil cialis bathtubs - cialis soft tabs online

Anonymous said...

cialis online canada buy cialis online in australia - cialis online deutschland

Anonymous said...

viagra pills purchase viagra online from us - buy viagra us over counter

Anonymous said...

cialis no prescription buy cialis fda - viagra cialis online order

Anonymous said...

buy soma buy soma online without - soma san diego 2012

Anonymous said...

buy cialis cialis usa - generic cialis from usa

Anonymous said...

viagra online viagra dosage 50 mg - buy viagra with dapoxetine

Anonymous said...

viagra online viagra for women in the us - should i order viagra online

Anonymous said...

viagra without prescription buy generic viagra with paypal - viagra for women mayo clinic

Anonymous said...

buy soma online purchase soma muscle relaxers - muscle relaxer stronger than soma

Anonymous said...

soma online makes soma pills - color soma pills

Anonymous said...

buy soma online dosage for soma muscle relaxer - soma carisoprodol no prescription

Anonymous said...

soma no prescription soma muscle drug - soma san diego vampire weekend

Anonymous said...

buy soma online soma watches - soma costochondritis

Anonymous said...

soma generic soma intimates online coupons - crystal castles soma san diego 2012

Anonymous said...

order soma cheap soma no prescription - buy soma 350

Anonymous said...

retin a order online retin a 5 1 - where to buy retin a cream

Anonymous said...

buy discount tramadol can you order tramadol online - buy tramadol dogs

Anonymous said...

buy generic soma generic soma pill identification - soma usa online pharmacy

Anonymous said...

buy soma online soma 5 panel drug screen - cost of soma

Anonymous said...

soma muscle relaxant soma drug back pain - buy somatropin

Anonymous said...

tramadol without prescription tramadol dosage grasscity - tramadol with valium high

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online reviews tramadol hcl dosage for adults - tramadol 50 mg while pregnant

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online tramadol withdrawal rash - tramadol 40 mg

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online what is tramadol dosage - tramadol withdrawal legs

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol ultram how to buy tramadol online overnight - tramadol interactions

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol saturday delivery is it illegal to order ultram online - buy tramadol overnight cod

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol mastercard tramadol dosage maximum - zaldiar tramadol hcl

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online what is tramadol dosage - tramadol dosage per day

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol for dogs tramadol hcl in dogs - order tramadol no script

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol without rx buy tramadol online safely - buy tramadol online no prescription usa

Anonymous said...

cheap tramadol tramadol 50mg used dogs - order tramadol

Anonymous said...

buy retin-a retin a gel moisturizer - retin a wrinkles permanent

Anonymous said...

cheap tramadol tramadol qatar - buy tramadol prescription

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol is buying tramadol online illegal - tramadol legal to order online

Anonymous said...

cialis cost cialis online genuine - generic cialis fda approved

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online tramadol dosage daily - tramadol high 50mg

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online tramadol for dogs or people - order tramadol online check

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol online tramadol withdrawal st john's wort - buy tramadol online in usa

Anonymous said...

tramadol online cod tramadol hcl 325 - good online pharmacy tramadol

Anonymous said...

tramadol 50 mg effects of 100mg tramadol - tramadol for dogs side effects

Anonymous said...

order tramadol online overnight tramadol buy - ok take 2 tramadol 50 mg

Anonymous said...

order tramadol online ez tramadol order status - tramadol 50mg much acetaminophen

Anonymous said...

tramadol 50 mg tramadol 50 mg compared - tramadol hcl buzz

Anonymous said...

generic xanax alprazolam xr 2mg tablets - order xanax online free consultation

Anonymous said...

xanax online xanax 1/2 life - can you overdose xanax alone

Anonymous said...

generic xanax xanax online without prescriptions - xanax 1 mg . description

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol lethal dosage tramadol - zydol 50 mg tramadol hydrochloride

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol without a script buy tramadol 50 mg - tramadol 100mg buy online

Anonymous said...

tramadol online buytramadol.ca - can i buy tramadol in usa

Anonymous said...

generic xanax 8mg xanax overdose - xanax side effects in cats

Anonymous said...

legal buy tramadol online tramadol dosage directions - tramadol kick in time

Anonymous said...

cialis online cialis online free trial - buy cialis line

Anonymous said...

cialis online usa cialis online thailand - cialis daily tolerance

Anonymous said...

http://landvoicelearning.com/#51438 tramadol hcl 50 mg mylan - long does tramadol high last

Anonymous said...

order tramadol online mastercard tramadol withdrawal long does take - tramadol hcl versus hydrocodone

Anonymous said...

buy tramadol cash on delivery tramadol tooth pain - is it legal to buy tramadol online us

Anonymous said...

buy clonazepam klonopin withdrawal period - buy clonazepam india

Anonymous said...

buy klonopin online klonopin social anxiety disorder - klonopin withdrawal brain zaps

Anonymous said...

carisoprodol 350 mg side effects of carisoprodol soma - carisoprodol blood pressure