My own personal blog. UNISON NEC member for Housing Associations & Charities, HA Convenor, London Regional Council Officer & Chair of its Labour Link Committee.
Newham Cllr for West Ham Ward, Vice Chair of Local Authority Pension Fund Forum, Pension trustee, Housing & Safety Practitioner.
Centre left and proud member of Labour movement family. Strictly no trolls please.
Promoted by Luke Place on behalf of J.Gray, Newham Labour Group, St Luke’s Community Centre, E16 1HS.
Catching up with things after a week away - first is this Socialist Unity story on the "public act of treachery by the Socialist Workers Party" over the ending of the Unite BA Cabin Crew dispute. Now I don't comment normally on other unions internal affairs.
But when will centre left trade unionists learn that this is just what the "ultra left" do!!! If their Central Committees don't think something will further the revolution they will instruct their representatives to stab the union and the local reps in the back. This is called "democratic centralism". They have to do what they are told to do by their non union CC or be expelled as some sort of class traitor.
I've listened to a load of stuff and nonsense in recent months from Unite activists about how the "United Left" in Unite all get on with each other, work together and don't have the sectarian battles we have in other unions. - Yeah.
Don't you dare say I didn't warn you about this (you know who you are).
On a more happy front this report from Dis-respect suggests I think (and others) that following their disastrous performance in the May Elections (I love Glasgow) that they may disband. Dis-respect did take in some good people but surely this is good riddance to bad rubbish. Hat-tip Ali G.
The youtube video is from Icepicker100 is I think quite apt.
The latest guest post from icepicker100 - which contains some helpful advice for the two contenders, who are each vying to be the “Ultra left” candidate, to take on Dave Prentis in this year’s election for UNISON’s General Secretary.
I think that YouTube Robebbson Films's may have got this idea from Icepicker100 post here. It’s a little bit rude and of course totally unfair to the Tories - but I do like it (and very topical ending)!
This apparently is kosher. In a completely weird and wonderful exchange of emails with the thuggish National Secretary of the SWP, Martin Smith and their former SWP “leader”, Lindsey German, who has resigned from the Party. Icepicker100 reminded me that you saw this first here (headphones or speaker on)!
As demonstrated in these emails the SWP and other ultra left Parties believe in what is called “democratic centralism”. This means whatever their Party Central Committee decides, SWP members have to obey. Even if this goes against what is best for the trade union or front (as in this case with Stop the War) they are involved in. German refused to accept what she had been told to do by the SWP central committee so she resigned ahead of being expelled.
Another lovely thing these cults do to their dissent members is to “hammer" (they actually use this word) them out of the Party. This is usually not done physically but rather verbally and emotionally. This is why Smith deliberately sticks the knife in with the comment about direct debits.
Still, I have no real sympathy with German since she helped create the monster that has turned against her. However, this may mean there will be a split in the SWP which should be interesting (abet utterly unimportant and insignificant in the wider scheme of things)
Anyway check out the emails and make your own mind up.
On behalf of the CC, we are repeating our request that you don’t speak at the disputed StW meeting in Newcastle tonight [Wednesday 10th February]. We expect you, like all SWP members, to respect our decisions.
We also think that it is imperative that you meet with members of the CC at the earliest possible opportunity. Could you please give us some dates when you are free.
Martin Smith (SWP National Secretary)
1b Dear Martin,
I asked Judith whether I would be subject to disciplinary action if I went to Newcastle. Your reply is ambiguous on this question. Could you please clarify. The STW meeting is not disputed, as you put it. It was agreed at two Tyneside STW steering committees, despite our comrades raising why I was going to the meeting. I therefore think your request is misplaced.
Lindsey
2a Dear Lindsey,
We have already made our decision very clear to you. If you ignore our request we reserve the right to respond as we see fit.
Martin
2b Dear Martin,
It is clear from your reply that your request is in fact an instruction not to speak in Newcastle tonight at the Stop the War meeting.
I regard such a course of action as damaging both to the party and STW. The meeting is properly constituted as evidenced by two sets of minutes of steering committee. There is no good reason for me to withdraw and none that I could possibly justify to STW members locally or nationally.
I have always tried to prevent internal disputes from damaging the movement. I feel that you have brought these disputes into STW and that is unacceptable.
It is therefore with the greatest regret that I am resigning from the SWP. This is a very hard decision for me. I joined more than 37 years ago and have always been committed to building it, which in my view meant relating to the wider movement.
I was on the CC for 30 years, edited the Review for 20 and played a major role in the movement and party building. My respect and affection for many party members remains, and my commitment to socialism as ever. I hope to continue working with them in the wider movement.
Lindsey German
3a Lindsey,
I acknowledge receipt of your resignation and have amended our records accordingly.
Please note it is your responsibility to inform your bank to close your Direct Debit/Standing Order.
