Lindsey German quits SWP before axe: “You saw it here first”!

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.

Hat-tip “A Very Public Sociologist” and “Socialist Unity”.  A message for the Left Platform and SWP CC reponse to Left Platform.

1a "Dear Lindsey,

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.

Martin Smith (SWP National Secretary)

Labour Party “purges” AWL (Workers Liberty)

The Labour Party has apparently expelled a number of members who are "alleged" to be leading activists in the Alliance for Workers Liberty” (AWL). At least one person who was due to attend last week’s Labour Party conference was not allowed due to the expulsion.

AWL has a somewhat complicated political history as a Far Left Marxist Trotskyite group (see here and below.

It also has long been accused of political entryism into the Labour Party. I do not know that much about the AWL nor whether or not the individuals expelled did in fact break Party rules. Since they may be appealing against that decision I had better not mention any names.

However, I thought that AWL supporters would be in trouble with the Party when I saw that the AWL was supporting non-Labour Party candidates in the local elections in the GLA and local Council elections (they even decided to support the awful SWP/Left List and their candidate German Lindsey - see here). How can anyone do that?

Also, they have also even registered as a political party with the election commission in their own right (see here).

I must admit that personally I have found individual AWL “supporters” to have been on the whole, pretty reasonable and decent folk who you can discuss and debate issues with. Obviously there have been exceptions (You know who you are) and of course I think that their overall politics are frankly bonkers.

But compared to the likes of the vile SWP and its largely deranged brain washed minions....

But if it's activists are in fact organising and standing against the Labour Party then they should either leave or be expelled. End of story. I think that most of them are beginning to realise it is in fact a waste of time to stay. But thanks for the subs for those who do (for now).

A somewhat potted history (since 1966) of the AWL from Wikipeda - Firstly, Revolutionary Socialist League; Militant tendency, then Workers' Fight; then International Socialists; then Socialist Workers Party; then Trotskyist Tendency, Workers Power; Left Faction; International-Communist League; Necessary International Initiative; Socialist Campaign for a Labour Victory; Socialist Organiser; Workers Socialist League; Socialist Organiser Alliance; Socialist Organiser ; Alliance for Workers' Liberty; Socialist Alliance; Socialist Alliance Democracy Platform;Socialist Green Unity Coalition.....nuf said?

"In August 2008 two members left the alliance to form The Commune. Their resignations were part of a wave of discussion triggered by an article by (AWL guru) Sean Matgamna which argued that "The harsh truth is that there is good reason for Israel to make a precipitate strike at Iranian nuclear capacity” .

UPDATE: from a usually reliable source

"John

I saw your post about AWL on LabourHome

Membership of it is automatic grounds for expulsion if proven – there are only 2 organisations that are proscribed for entryism where this is the case – Militant (now trading as the Socialist Party and abandoned entryism anyway) and Socialist Organiser (now trading as AWL and running a 2 track in & out policy as some key members were expelled at the point of proscription in 1988).

The SWP (and indeed Tories!) are not proscribed because they don’t practice entryism".

SWP sack Rees and German

Good news – We heard this morning that he was unwell. Now we find that what goes around does eventually come around. Both Dear leaders of the SWP and disrespect (seen left toasting each other in happier days) are about to become ex-leaders and central committee non-persons.

Check out the fun on various ultra lefty websites who all hate the SWP and their malign influence. commune, stroppyblog, Socialist wreakers & splitters, Workers Liberity.

The SWP central committee have obviously decided to punish them for allowing the Stalinist Galloway to win the only party political victory in his life. Not that he will be around for long either.

This is from “Left Alternative Members Bulletin 10th September 2008". Which of course is just a SWP front.

“1. Statement from Left Alternative officers
“The officers of the Left Alternative are sad to have to inform our members of the resignations of John Rees and Lindsey German from the officers group and National Council. However, they remain members of the Left Alternative.

“John and Lindsey have been tireless members of the officers group and National Council since the inception of Respect. As National Secretary, John has provided consistent judgment and direction in the most difficult political circumstances, while Lindsey has been our inspirational Mayoral candidate in the GLA elections in both 2004 and 2008.

“The National Council, at its meeting on 6th September, agreed a unanimous vote of thanks to John and Lindsey for everything they have done for our organisation. We are proud to have them as members of the Left Alternative and look forward to continuing to work with them in campaigns from Stop the War to the People before Profit Charter.”

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Please do not insult our intelligence.

Harrys Place has the best info on this but I like this comment (from someone who is not a friend of Kim and his Mrs) :-

"it just shows what utter political failures the SWP are 30+ years on and they are still small, miniature when compared to European parties of the Left. these people are professional activists, it is all they do day in day out, and they are utterly useless at it, by their own criteria failure after failure:

1) StWC, millions lost, down next to nothing2) create Respect, support Galloway’s iffy goings-on3) get stitched by Galloway, lose the plot4) start another front organisation, watch it fail at the London election5) haemorrhage members Left, Right and Centre6) Piss off nearly everyone else on the Left.7) watch this other front organisation collapse
complete inadequates, useless"

I of course, couldn't possibly comment.

“Judean People's Front" v "People's Front of Judea”

This time a lift from East London Advertiser (by deputy editor Ted Jeory) about the latest farcical dispute in diss-respectland. The really fun bit is speculating whether or not the warring parties will stand candidates against each other in the forth coming Greater London Assembly and Mayor elections?

George Galloway appears to have decided to stand for Respect Renewal . Will he go for Mayor against Ken Livingstone and declared SWP Candidate Lindsey German ?(aka Respect Independent or is it now called "Respect - the Splitters coalition"?) or in “City & East” against Labour Assembly member John Biggs? Or will be stand down to pursue his many lucrative media business interests! We're have to wait and see.

"THE battle for the soul of MP George Galloway's Respect party has
entered a new phase with the warring factions squabbling over their
names.

The four councillors who split from their seven Respect colleagues on
Tower Hamlets council to become Respect Independent in October have now
changed their name again.

From today (Jan-15), the defecting group is known as Respect - the
Unity Coalition.

The first shots in the opening battle were fired today by Cllr Abjol
Miah, leader of the larger rump group which is still known as Respect.

He is lodging an official objection at the Town Hall because he says
the name is the 'official' party title, registered with the Electoral
Commission.

But Tower Hamlets council told the Advertiser that any objection would
not be upheld because "the name change is entirely valid for purpose of
council business."

The move by the four defecting SWP-sympathetic councillors, Oli Rahman,
Ahmed Hussain, Rania Khan and Lutfa Begum, is the first shot in what
promises to be a bitter fight over who can stand as Respect candidates
in May's London Assembly elections.

But the longer the 'farce' continues, as observers describe it, the
more both factions risk losing credibility with mainstream voters.