DJP – your response is a

DJP – your response is a flimsy cop out: ‘neither support or oppose workers in struggle’. This is also a change in position on the party line, which said earlier you support workers in wage struggles and participate in unions. My point to that issue was why don’t you support workers defending their Social Wage e.g. Fight the Cuts. You know you should but are now doing idelogical summer salts which would make Stalin proud.
Alanjjohnston – well what can I say? You are playing semantics. I’m no spokesman for the Socialist Party (CWI) but you really are clutching at wet, thin straws by trying to condem their socialist goal. You talk ‘common owbnership’ and so do they. They sometimes use the term ‘nationalisation’ but mean the same as you and fully adhere to the principle of ‘each according to his/her ability, each according to their needs.’
As for Militant adopting the ‘Socialist Party’ name, well at least they act like a party as opposed to an academic talking shop. Maybe you should re-name yourselves, such as the Socialist Education Group, because you are not a political party. Dropping the ‘Great Britain’ name would be to your advantage as well.
You go on (and on): ‘As revolutionaries, we do not advocate reforms…’ Please advise if the SPGB position of neutrality as explained by AJ is now the case. If ,as I suspect, not then why support workers in struggle for better wages and conditions but not support their struggle to defend their social wage? Such struggle which is strongly linked for the need of socialism, raises workers consciousness. I agree, you need to be careful to keep the socialist goal very clear and keep out opportunists, which is why TUSC refuses to accept or support or let join those who believe in ‘some cuts’ or act like Labour Councillors and just pass the cuts on, which is unacceptable. The Socialist Party (CWI) continually bang on about the need for socialism within TUSC. For example, they take the position that ‘tax avoidance’ by capitalists should be opposed but unless you take economic power out of their hands, the ruling class will find ways aound. You would agree with that.
Commonality! You look for any excuse to oppose others, like Socialist Party (CWI) when you have far more in common. By the way, Sheridan is not a member of Socialist Party Scotland or their counter parts in England & Wales and have been critical of his approach and personality cult. But someone who went to jail over the Poll Tax rebellion, fought the baliffs (literally) and been persecuted for his Marxist beliefs and agitation by News International, should get your support not condemnation. You need to know which side you are on.
Finally, if the SPGB supported TUSC and the Campaign for a New Workers Party, you would come into contact with workers who are supportive of socialist ideas. There is no principled reason why you could not participate AND keep your identity but that would mean getting your hands dirty which you fear. Such a shame.