[Marxism] Article by Chris Bambery (SWP) on the fight in Respect

[Einde O'Callaghan <einde@xxxxxx>]

As it's fairly short and I can't decide where to snip I've posted the 
whole article.

Einde O'Callaghan
----------------------------------------------
Stop the attacks on the left vision for Respect

Many Respect supporters joined the campaign to ensure
George Galloway was elected for Respect in the 2005
general election. Many thousands were inspired by a
coalition that brought together diverse forces in
united opposition to the war, social injustice and
oppression.

by Chris Bambery

Never has there been a greater need for a radical
challenge to the pro-war, pro-free market consensus
represented by Gordon Brown and David Cameron.

Yet there is a growing crisis threatening the
existence of Respect – the most successful left
challenge Labour has faced in over half a century.

Respect came into existence as a coalition reflecting
the major forces in the anti-war movement.

The Socialist Worker Party (SWP) and Muslim activists
were the two biggest components of Respect but the aim
was to broaden support to encompass the growing
numbers leaving New Labour and the rich mix which
makes up today’s working class.

Arguments

Underlying the current arguments is a growing
acceptance by some that it’s only Muslim votes that
can ensure electoral success.

That has led to a dropping of the original conception
of Respect as a wider working class organisation.

Respect MP George Galloway and his supporters have led
a sustained campaign to drive the SWP and those who
share the original vision of Respect out of the
coalition.

Last week they asked that the SWP simply quit Respect.
The SWP, which helped initiate the coalition and has
been at the heart of its success, refused.

Then they issued a letter stating John Rees, Respect
national secretary and SWP member, should be
considered removed from his position and that the SWP
had “split” from Respect.

A spokesman for George Galloway told the press, “John
Rees and with him the leadership have declared that
they are splitting…

“The SWP leadership by its actions has walked away
from Respect.”

Elections

He then added, “In no sense can Lindsey German
therefore be considered the Respect candidate in the
forthcoming London elections.”

The SWP, and all those who have rallied to defend the
very presence of socialists within the coalition, have
made it very clear that we have no intention of
quitting or splitting from Respect.

John Rees was elected as Respect’s national secretary
and cannot be removed by issuing a letter or by a
press statement from a spokesman for George Galloway.

That decision can only be taken through the democratic
structures of the coalition agreed by the coalition’s
national conference.

Lindsey German was selected as Respect’s London
mayoral candidate at a 300 strong meeting of London
Respect members.

This attempted coup, organised by a minority within
Respect, means riding roughshod over democratic
decisions without any reference to Respect’s
membership.

Conference

These manoeuvres are being made just a fortnight away
 >from Respect’s annual conference.

The only place to resolve the differences in Respect
is the national conference, which will take place on
17 November and to which Respect branches across
England and Wales have elected delegates and submitted
motions.

All those who share the original vision of Respect as
an inclusive coalition with a strong socialist
component should reject the attempted coup in Respect
and the attempt to declare the SWP expelled through
email and press statements.

We should let Respect’s membership decide and let
Respect’s national conference resolve these differences.

<http://www.socialistworker.co.uk/art.php?id=13430>

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