Re: [Marxism] Rise of the Far Right in Britain

[" Ian Pace" <ian@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

From: "Jack Cade" <jack.cade@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>

> I don't see this at all. Obsession with the far right
seems to be a theme of union bureaucrats and SWP donkeys only. It
is misplaced as the real danger currently lies elsewhere.

Maybe the fact that it's been an 'obsession' of those groups mentioned above
and others devoted to combating fascism is one reason the far right have not
over the last few decades (so far) made anything like the showing they have
in other European countries? But of course things are changing in that
respect.

> Consider the result in Hackney, Queensbridge (where Blair
used to live) by election on 20 January:

Andrew Boff (Conservative) 696 [a rise from fourth to first
place]
Labour 595
Lib Dem 334
Respect 291

Same constituency in May 2002 (3 seats contested)

Labour 1053/1019/945
Lib Dem 557/423/328
Green 380
Conservative 253/249/192
Socialist Alliance 158
Christian Peoples Alliance 77

> After their recent tax cuts claims bombed, the Tories are
playing the immigration card today but this will not save them in
the general election. British politics has become a contest of
samey business parties with no one fighting for the working
class.

For sure, but it's in that political climate that the BNP are starting to
appeal to those disaffected by the business parties. As regards the Tories
playing the immigration card, have a look at the following from today's
Independent on Sunday:

'Labour, however, appeared reluctant to attack Mr Howard's policy proposals.
Hazel Blears, the Home Office minister, said that the party accepted that
there were "legitimate concerns" over asylum and immigration and that the
party would be announcing its own plans soon.'

Seems the immigration card won't save the Tories because Labour will play it
as well (just maybe dressed up in slightly different language).

> Respect is a failure but the far right are never going to
pick up 20% or anything like it.

UKIP and the BNP could well do. Respect, for all our inner problems, at
least offer a viable alternative for those alienated from the business and
pro-US imperalism parties.

Ian



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