John Rees
1) John Rees sacked, Lindsey German quits
By Andy Newman (Socialist Unity Blog)
The “Left Alternative” is the brand name of the SWP dominated part of Respect that split away from George Galloway, Salma Yaqoob and most of the councillors last year.
Since then the Left Alternative has fared disastrously. Gaining just 0.68% across London in the mayoral election in May, since then one of their councillors has joined the Conservatives, three have joined the Labour Party, and one of their GLA list candidates has joined the Lib Dems.
What is more, the dispute in Respect could have been handled in a professional and civil manner to facilitate an amicable divorce and minimise the damage to the left, but at every stage John Rees and Lindsey German escalated tension and sought to damage Respect, once it became clear they couldn’t control it. At every throw of the dice the personal prestige of John Rees was prioritised over either the interests of the movement, or indeed even the interests of the SWP
They failed.
Although weaker than it was in some ways, Respect has survived, George Galloway continues as a barnstrorming and principled MP, and we are working for success in the next General Election.
The Left Alternative national executive has sacked John Rees, the author of the debacle. It is not clear at this time whether Lindsey - his partner - has resigned in sympathy or also been sacked.
The SWP’s Party Notes sent out the Left Alternative statement as an appendix on Monday, and suggests that the Left Alternative will be playing a more modest role in the SWP’s political operations. It is not yet clear whether John and Lindsey retain their positions on the SWP’s Central Committee, but even if they do they have diminished authority
This is excellent news. There are very many capable and principled socialists within the SWP, many of whom have real achievements to their credit in the workers movement. The antics over the last year or so have hindered the SWP from playing the constructive role it can achieve. It has also diminished the authority of some of its best militants by association with the Rees circus.
It is time for everyone involved in the Respect split to move on, work together where we can; work separately where we must; but all of us doing our utmost to spread the influence and effectiveness of left policies and ideals. The demise of John Rees will make that task easier.
2) SWP Party Notes
There has been some confusion about the Left Alternative since its National Council meeting on Saturday. To help clarify matters we are circulating the attached document, which was approved by the Central Committee prior to the Left Alternative meeting. It will be discussed at the SWP National Committee on Sunday.
The Left Alternative
1) The potential for a left alternative to Labour has rarely been greater. Recession and inflation are undermining the claim that the market is the solution to economic problems, and more and more people are aware of the shortcomings of New Labour. Privatisation is utterly discredited, while the rising wealth of the elite is bitterly resented.
The level of trade union struggle is on the rise, and union conferences are discussing whether or not to continue supporting Labour. Many union conferences and political meetings see people crying out for a radical electoral alternative.
The events in Georgia have underlined the fragility of the world order, the potential for great power clashes, and the way imperialist violence is structured into the system.
But no force has filled the gap to the left of Labour.
Respect achieved real gains, but it has been wrecked by the Galloway-inspired split. And sadly the Left List could not make a breakthrough. It does not have wide support outside the party.
2) Moreover the subjective factors are not so good. There seems little hope of any national figure breaking away from the Labour Party to help create a radical alternative.
Warwick Two demonstrated that the major unions have little stomach to challenge Brown. Even the leaders of the smaller unions seem unprepared to take a lead at the moment, and launch a political project to the left of Labour.
This doesn’t mean all is well between New Labour and the union bureaucracy. Anger over pay is increasing. And even if there is no stomach for a fight with Brown, there is little or no enthusiasm for him. These tensions promise openings for the future, but we can’t base our short-term electoral perspective on this prospect.
The Left Alternative is not strong enough to create a broad alternative at the moment – but can play a role in helping realign the forces on the left so long as it does not claim to be the answer.
Therefore for the time being we are likely to find ourselves working around a number of different initiatives.
The obvious ones are:
· Public Services not Private Profit – as Mark Serwotka said at Marxism this year and at his meeting with Charlie and me [Martin Smith], he was hoping that PSNPP would stand or support candidates on the left in the near future.
· Also we are seeing small groups of councillors in the North West alongside local unions (FBU/NUT and trades councils) wanting to see greater co-operation between the left and left independents and discuss creating an electoral pact.
· None of these are a panacea for the growth of a new left. We do not need to choose one route. We should use the space between now and any election for real discussion, joint working and debate.
· In the present period we may see more Convention of the Left type conferences as organisations jostle for position. For instance the Socialist Party claims that it is going to re-launch the Campaign for New Workers Party stating that they have a wider platform which includes
– McDonnell / Serwotka / Crow and Wrack (we may have to intervene in this conference) .
3) Where next for the Left Alternative?
We want to avoid if possible any bruising election contests. We should only decide to stand on a case by case basis.
The Left Alternative should push its supporters into arenas like the Charter, PSNPP and support left candidates in their campaigns.
It should be reduced to minimal, but still existing, role.
This needs to be reviewed regularly because this situation could change very quickly.
4) The role of the office LA structures
a) If we agree to the general picture outlined then certain organisational changes need to take place.
b) LA cannot operate on anything like the level it has done previously.
c) We should continue to have an elected national body to oversee the LA. This should meet monthly for the moment and play the role mainly of co-ordinating the limited number of bases we still have.
d) The office should produce a monthly e-mail newsletter, and direct activists into arenas such as the Charter, Public Services Not Private Profit, and supporting election campaigns if and when they arise.
e) Occasional propaganda should be produced and the website should be updated regularly.
f) The office must also play a role in clearing the debts that the Left List / Left Alternative has accumulated.
g) The LA staff will be reduced to 1 full time post: [reference to individuals removed.]
h) We should look into the possibility of finding smaller/cheaper premises.
5) Transition
a) Chris B to remain on the steering committee until the October conference.
b) Charlie K and Martin S to go onto the LA steering committee at the conference.
c) In the run up to October conference the CC should discuss who should oversee the LA work after the conference. In the meantime, Chris, Charlie and Martin can both oversee the work and be the CC point of contact.
d) Alex or Chris H will introduce caucus on the Friday before the NC.
Martin Smith
Approved by Central Committee 27 August 2008