Respect is cursed; moribund; weak; exhausted; amateur, mismanaged; unhealthy, irresponsible…says Galloway

Respect faces “oblivion” - George Galloway also suggests that his SWP “allies” are corrupt (giving internal Party jobs to political pals), interferes in internal elections and not pulling their weight in Council elections. He also gives the green light to the homophobes in Respect by condemning efforts to get Muslim Respect Councillors to attend the Gay Pride festival.

Read it for yourself on the Socialist Unity blog, the 8 page letter that the Gorgeous one wrote to Respect’s National Council. Also, in the comments see the brief (but obviously p****d off) response by the SWP. It all appears to be genuine.

There are a number of weird and wonderful theories flooding the anti-Respect blogsphere at the moment about what the old rogue Galloway is up to with this blatant attack on his new comrades. I’ll give you my pennyworth as well.

Firstly, I loved the comment posted that Galloway (of all people) attacking the way that the SWP have tried to control Respect and the way they demonise anyone who disagrees with them, as a bit like “Yorkshire Ripper blasts Jack the Ripper”.

It has also been pointed out that Galloway is a life long Stalinist (“the worse day in my life was when the Soviet Union fell”). The Trotskyite SWP seems to have overlooked this basic fact. I suspect he has always despised the SWP and certainly his attack is reminiscent of the old CPGB attacks on “wreakers and splitters” (e.g. trots). I think that he has now calculated that the SWP have served their purpose and they either knuckle down to life under Uncle George or leave.

The Bengali community leaders who provide his power base in Tower Hamlets and elsewhere, now find the SWP repugnant and are fed up of being told what to do, especially over issues such as gay rights and trade unions. Equally, many idealists in the SWP (and there are a few) find the socially conservative business and religious side of Respect abhorrent. It is only the lust for power that has kept both sides together so far.

However, the Shadwell by-election which Galloway has made so much about was actually very important to him, since it seemed to show him for the first time that Respect could win (just) without the mass troops of the SWP. See the comments in his letter about the lack of campaigning by the Respect SWPers and their failure to attend the victory party. As someone else put it Jamat i islaami can now deliver the political letters and no doubt provide funds.

The Ealing Southall by-election a few weeks ago where Respect only got 3.5% is Galloway’s nightmare in his battle with Jim Fitzpatrick MP in Poplar and Limehouse. The Respect candidate by all accounts had no community support and all the SWPers did was to wind up and antagonise local people.

I reckon that Galloway is gambling that the SWP will back down and let him run the show. The present leadership of the SWP have invested heavily in Respect. Also, frankly there is nowhere else for them to go. The prospect of selling newspapers at street corners for the rest of your life must suck. Even if the SWP do leave, then some will remain (they have gone “native” and realise that the SWP is in a dead end) and their numbers will be made up from the rest of the extreme left who refuse to have anything to do with Respect because of the influence of the SWP.

We will wait and see.
p.s google "anathematisation"

Shadwell Election Day (and Result)

Just back home from “post election” curry and chin wag at Zeera Restaurant, Mile End. Delicious as usual. Received text from usually very reliable source at the election count in Town hall. Not looking that good at the moment to be honest. At 00:40 Respect on 1400 votes and Labour on 900.

However, very good campaign by Labour Candidate Michael Keith and Tower Hamlets Labour Party. Picture of Labour committee room at Cable Street and the top cross London canvass team that I spent most of the evening with (from Barking, Croyden, Enfield, Tower Hamlets UNISON, Havering, West Ham CLP – sorry if I left you out) next to Watney market. Who says “knocking up” cannot also be fun!

I must admit that I thought that the campaign went quite well – usual thugs not about? no-one threw anything at me, no physical threats, no foul abuse etc. We will see. I won’t wait up much longer. But "Community Politics"? - has the well "respected" (pardon the pun) local Bengali businessman come up with the votes (ignore the SWP, they are just playing a mugs game in Shadwell)?

UPDATE 01:00 - Just about to post above when result came in - 97 Majority to Respect!

Well, dare I say success-ish rather than victory? 560 odd Respect majority slashed to 97? Not really I suppose but if Labour got this vote at next election then nearly all Respect Councillors will lose their seats and Gorgeous George would be thrashed if he stood against Jim Fitzpatrick. I’ll sleep on the result and come back later. No doubt Dick Tuck would have come up with a good line to express my current feelings.

Respect Shadwell Mass Meeting

While out campaigning tonight with UNISON and NUS Labour supporters in the Shadwell Council By-Election. I went past the venue of the Respect “Mass Public meeting” at a local school. Apparently tonight they are going to disclose some “top secret” Labour Party” document. Can’t wait!

Despite being just after the official starting time the venue did not seem to be very busy. Therefore I have taken the liberty of ordering a suitable venue for the next Respect “mass meeting" (see above right)

While I’m at it – striking sunset tonight over Shadwell Basin

Business Candidates Split Respect

“I do favour trade unionism. We need all the trade we can get, so we have to help them.”

So says business wing Respect candidate, Harun Miah, for the Shadwell by-election, Tower Hamlets, when interviewed about his views in the recent “Workers Weekly” article entitled “Respect - the party for everybody”. The by-election is this Thursday 9 August.

It is quite clear that Harun hasn’t a clue what trade unions are about – he seems to think we are some type of “trade body”?

It gets even more farcical when Harun reflects upon a certain sensitive subject that many on the left traditionally hold strong views about:

“As for socialism, it does provide some sort of justice, some sort of equality. I agree with that. As long as it doesn’t breach the rights of others. Of course, Respect has socialism as an element, but it’s not the only element, is it? There are other concerns. But I don’t mind”.

He appears concerned about any interference in the “rights” of property and capital perhaps? Can anyone interpret his remarks otherwise?

Despite attempts to underplay Harun’s business connections and portray him as only the owner of a local shop, it is now clear that many have been mislead about the extent of his considerable business interests and that of his family. He may well only own one business outright, but he has apparently significant shares in a number of other businesses, not only several local retail shops but also a money transfer business and property letting agency. Is the only reason that he is against the privatisation of council housing estates is that the “right to buy” is restricted?

Let alone the fact that Harun also declares in the interview that he is a “mate” of Michael Keith, the Labour Party Candidate? Talk about keeping your options open! The previous Respect councillor for Shadwell resigned calling the party “bickering, immature, self serving” and “dominated by militants”.

While the “Workers Weekly” interview was all well and good, there were a load of questions that were not raised with Harun? I assume that a SWP full time goon was present during the interview.

I for one would have been interested in Harun’s view on the “London Living Wage” and how much his own work force is paid per hour? (never mind the legal minimum wage), What sickness benefits are they entitled to? what about his views over gay rights? civil partnerships?, a women’s right to choose? (we know already that Galloway has serious form on this issue).

It appears that many rank and file SWPers have also had enough. The preferred SWP candidate - young, female activist Sultana Begum was not chosen at a selection meeting dominated by local businessmen. Recently a senior SWP activist was expelled for supporting the selection of such candidates in Birmingham. At least one senior member of the SWP has been disciplined by its central committee for attacking their link with Respect.

Apparently there is a growing revolt by core members refusing to join “Respect”. Many complain bitterly that female and gay members have been cold shouldered and excluded (to be polite) at Respect meetings. The links between certain Respect members and Jamaat-e-Islami quite rightly horrify many.

It is clear that many (not all) members of Respect are only interested in male dominated communal politics.

Trouble in mill? – roll on Thursday.

Labour Rally at Cable Street – Michael Keith “on the stump”

Yesterday there was an outdoor rally for Labour Candidate Michael Keith in the Shadwell by-election, Tower Hamlets. The rally took place in the garden area adjacent to the Battle of Cable Street Mural (see main photo) painted on the side of St Georges Town Hall.

There were about 80 supporters, mainly from the local Bangladeshi community. Speakers included most of the “great and the good” of Tower Hamlets Labour politics. First was Baroness Uddin, then Tower Hamlets Labour leader Denise Jones , Parliamentary Under secretary of State for Transport and local MP Jim Fitzpatrick, Labour Prospective parliamentary candidate for neighbouring Bethnal Green & Bow Rushanara Ali. Councillor Anwara Ali (and local GP) chaired the meeting.

They all praised Michael for the work he had done in the past for Shadwell and Tower Hamlets as a Councillor. Jim Fitzpatrick astonished the gathering (well, me anyway) with a confident and fluent 4 minute speech entirely in Sylheti. According to those next to me in the audience he spoke it very well! I have uploaded a 30 second clip of (poor quality video) of Jim in action onto You Tube.

Michael was last. He was literally a politician “on the stump” since he climbed upon the remains of a cut down tree stump (see photo). He then proceeded to give a well delivered and passionate speech about how important it is for the local area to return a Labour councillor and to turn away from the divisive policies of Respect. It went down very well.

Afterwards the canvassing continued. See Councillor (and Newham UNISON member) Bill Turner “on the knocker” in the Tarling estate. On Thursday there was a good show from Newham Labour Party. I heard that there were 25 “Newhamites” out and about in Shadwell.

Again very little sign of Respect campaigners. I saw Galloway briefly; it appears from speaking to other campaigners that he was up to his usual trick of using a megaphone to scream abuse and threats at Labour party activists. Charming bloke.

I’ve had a chance to read an interview with the Respect candidate and to do some digging - will try and post something interesting later tonight.

London UNISON Labour link – Living Wage, Metronet, Boris, Pensions, Child Labour, BNP, Leadership, Pay, NHS demo, Ealing & Shadwell

Today we had the quarterly committee meeting of London UNISON Labour Link. Each UNISON region has local committees of elected Labour Party levy payers and nominations from self-organised groups (the Labour Link is also known as the APF – Applied Political Fund) who oversee and manage its regional activities. All participants are members of the Labour Party.

The meeting started off with a verbal and written report by London Assembly member, Joanne McCartney. Joanne is very supportive of Labour Link. Good news that Labour had defeated the “Nasty Party” Tories attempt to stop paying a living wage to fire station cleaners (see previous post). But only by a margin of 1 vote (9-8)! This shows what a threat the Tories are in London.

Joanne also reported on the potential collapse of the London tube PFI contractor Metronet . Metronet freely bided to run parts of the London underground but now claim that they cannot afford to do what they promised at the price they had bid. They are facing going into liquidation. Independent arbitrators have rejected their “claim” for another £500 million to carry out their obligations. Tubeline, the other contractor, has not asked for more money and is able to honour their contract. You may say to Metronet “serve them right” (and I do) but if they go into liquidation I assume that their staff will be affected as well as a massive financial headache for Transport for London or the government. Another PFI success story?

Joanne made some perceptive remarks about the probable selection of Boris Johnson as the London Tory candidate for Mayor. She pointed out Boris is actually a traditional right wing Tory. Also, remembering that Hartlepool voted for a monkey as a mayor, we shouldn’t just dismiss Boris as simply a clown and no hoper.

I asked her questions about current Trade Union representation on the £3.7 Billion London Pension Fund Authority Board (think of a big round figure) and on working together with UNISON Capital Stewardship forum, on ensuring that the London Olympics only source from ethical providers (e.g. no child labour making expensive sports clothing for 2012 athletics). Joanne was receptive and said she will raise questions to the Mayor on these subjects.

We have two members of the London Labour Party Regional Board, Rachel Voller and Nicholas Russell, on the committee, who reported back that Ken Clark (well known in East London as a Labour Party organiser) has been appointed as the Regional London Labour Party Director. UNISON and UNITE (T&G) have paid for a full time organiser to fight the BNP in “City and East” constituency for the GLA elections next year (Rob Chapman appointed).

Rachel as the elected London member of National Labour Link Committee gave a full report on recent meetings including an insider account on the recent leadership nominations. The committee were fully supportive of Rachel and the national committee.

The committee also discussed Public sector pay and what we could do to support the demo on the NHS in London on 3 November 2007. We agreed to donate £500 to the parliamentary Ealing by-election and £100 to the Shadwell by-election (we would have loved to donate more but there are strict limits). There was also discussion about possibly increasing the number of consistency development plans in London. Julian Cooke from National Labour Link gave a well received presentation on “promoting and developing Labour Link”. I had to leave early but I think it was agreed to set up a working party to further this work.

Tomorrow I am off with others to Ealing to “fight the good fight” with West Ham TULO and UNISON Labour link. Will let you know how we got on.

Business wing of Respect selects Candidate in Shadwell

Following Shamim Chowdhury resignation as Respect Councillor for Shadwell, Tower Hamlets, the local SWP/Respect party is now trying to claim that his reasons for resigning are “flimsy” and have implied that he is “dishonourable”, which is a strange word for a Trotskyite Revolutionary Party to use?

The by-election is on 9 August 2007 and as already posted, former Council leader and Shadwell councillor, Michael Keith has been selected as the Labour Party candidate.

Their new Respect candidate is Harun Miah who is an “unknown” Brick Lane businessman. Check out this unsympathetic but probably accurate account of the Respect selection process from workers weekly

“Within a week Respect had called a meeting at its Club Row offices to select Chaudhury’s potential successor. There was little time to waste, since the Shadwell by-election has been arranged for August 9. The meeting on July 10 was packed out, with around 100, overwhelmingly male and Asian, members squeezed into the highly restricted space.

Chair Glyn Robbins (another SWPer) struggled to make himself heard above the noise, as he called for the “best order possible for the meeting”. There were two nominations: young, female activist Sultana Begum backed by the SWP, and middle-aged shopkeeper Harun Miah, who is allied to the businessmen’s wing of Tower Hamlets Respect.

The two were given five minutes each to present their case, and this was followed by questions from members. Begum, a member of two and half years, spoke first, acknowledging that she had been in two minds about standing (I got the impression that the SWP was desperate for her to do so, as it sees real control slipping completely from its grasp). A young, suggestible candidate was what was called for, but, as we shall see, naivety also has its disadvantages.

Begum started by posing the question, “Do we win at any cost or on principles?” - a fair question, given the previous incumbent’s opportunism. Begum said she joined Respect because of its “values”, but unfortunately she could not quite remember what those values were - she was unable to get past the ‘E’ for equality when she tried to remind us what Respect’s initials stood for. She had to content herself with saying, “Muslim values are close to my heart” and expressed the wish that everyone should work together.

Miah, a very new member, said: “Respect is a party of the future”, whose foreign policy he particularly approved of. Nearer to home, he expressed his concern about parking problems, drugs and “other anti-social behaviour”. For the benefit of the elders he then switched to Bengali and finished his speech to loud applause.

In the question and answer session Miah pledged more “social involvement and improvement” and promised to work for “what is good for the community”. Oliur Rahman, the first councillor ever to be elected on a Respect ticket, tried to put Harun on the back foot by stressing the importance of trade unions and asking both candidates to commit themselves to joining a union. Our businessman nominee replied: “I will take his advice to become a member of a trade union - I have no problem with that.” Oli did not know whether to laugh or cry.

In response to a question on the Olympics, Miah said: “I support and welcome it because it will be good for jobs.” The wrong answer and one that did not go down well with a section of members, many of whom booed loudly. He had less trouble with a question from SWP organiser Aysha Ali, who, in another plant aimed at boosting Sultana’s chances, asked the candidates to say something about women’s rights. Neither was capable of going beyond general platitudes.
There was one question that went to the heart of the difficulties faced by Tower Hamlets Respect: “We are struggling in unifying Respect councillors and members. How would the candidates overcome this?” While Begum was once more at sea, Miah was ready with his sound bite: “We need to show each other respect and to retain harmony.”

The voting was chaotic. Voting slips were flying around like confetti, with whole bundles being passed round the room for members to help themselves. Someone complained loudly about foul play, but I do not think there was any cheating. After about 10 minutes the winner was announced - the businessman’s nominee, Harun Miah, had seen off SWP-favoured Sultana Begum by 56 votes to 40”.

The Tories have picked Duncan Crossly and the Lib Dems Rosie Clarke.

Michael Keith to fight Respect By-election for Labour

The former Labour leader of Tower Hamlets Council, Michael Keith (centre red shirt) has been selected to stand for Labour in the Shadwell by-election brought about by the resignation of senior Respect Councillor Shamim Chowdury. Councillor Chowdury resigned after calling Respect Councillors “bickering, immature and self-serving”

In 2005 Michael (seen above with UNISON Labour Link supporters) lost his seat in Shadwell to Respect which he had held since 1994. However, Labour retained overall control of the Council.

Micheal was selected by the local Labour Party by an overwhelming majority.

This by-election on August 9 is seen as a crucial test for Respect. Will they be able to regain the seat after this latest embarrassing resignation?

Another one bites the dust…. yet another Respect resignation?

If you look at the Tower Hamlets Council web site tonight and check the details for the elected Councillors in Shadwell ward, you will notice that there are now only 2 councillors instead of the 3 listed previously. Rumour mill has it that Respect Councillor, Shamim Ahmed Chowdhury, (who got the highest vote for diss-respect in the ward) has resigned not only as a Councillor but also as a member of Respect. There is apparently a “hot” press release out somewhere. Probably best to check out “TRIAL BY JEORY” in this week's East End Advertiser out Thursday. This is the second Councillor to leave Respect in just over 2 months. Labour Majority on council now 4. A hotly contested by-election in the summer months would seem to be on the cards.