Re: Re.SLP

[Adam Rose <adam@xxxxxxxx>]

Raymond Hickman writes:
> I think Adam Rose is barking up the wrong tree when he criticises
> the SLP for coming down on the wrong side of the
> parliamentary/extra-parliamentary divide. By its abstention from
> electoral politics, both nationally and locally, the SWP is
> excluding itself  - and many of its supporters and potential
> supporters - from one area where 'struggle' takes place.

We agree with the SLP that we need a socialist alternative to Labour.
But we have fundamental differences over the nature of that alternative.
The SLP is an electoral organisation. We think that socialism comes
from below, that "the emancipation of the working class is the act
of the working class". The SLP, while it has broken organisationally
from Labour, still sees the key to change as electing Left wing MP's.


We do NOT abstain. We argue ( except where there is a significant
left alternative like the SLP ) for a Labour Vote.

You may not agree with this, but this isn't abstention.

We do this because we think it is the best way of winning
workers away from reformist politics to revolutionary politics.


> Participation, or non-participation, in parliamentary or local
> government elections should be a tactical question, answered in
> terms of the needs and resources of the moment.

I agree. There are circumstances when we would stand candidates.
There are also circumstances when we would boycott parliamentary
elections.

> It seems that the
> SWP - or Adam at least - has raised it to the status of a once
> and for all line of demacartion between reformists and
> revolutionaries.
>

What evidence do you have for saying that ?

> Or more accurately it sees the strength of the working
> class being located in industrial militancy.

Er, yes I do actually. If that makes me an "industrial syndicalist"
then I'm proud of it.

Our strength as a class comes from our collective strength. As a class
we are strongest at the workplace, where we have the most power.
When workers move into struggle against any particular aspect of the
system, they are more open to socialist ideas. Miners led off the 1985
gay pride march because they had come to see the links between their
struggle and the struggle of Lesbians and gay men. When they got
massive collections from Brixton it was easier to see the links between
racism and capitalism.

A party is needed to overcome the divisions in the working class, and
to generalise the lessons of any particular struggle. But it is also
neccessary to fight against the influence of reformism during these
struggles. In order to do this, it needs to win workers away from
reformist politics in general to revolutionary politics in general.

Unfortunately, the SLP is not capable of doing this. With your
patronising attitude to working class organisations, it is clear
you're not either.

Adam.

Adam Rose
SWP
Manchester
UK

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