Bijou Drains
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Kaz states:
Some of you blokes are in such denial. You use the system, you have to follow its rules. This inevitably involves forming a socialist government, with a socialist prime minister and a socialist cabinet.
Can you now explain why it is that you have to follow the rules if you use a system?
There are dozens of historical examples of people using the system and then not following the rules.
It is absolutely not inevitable that a socialist majority must form a Socialist Government, with Prime Minister, et al.
The current electoral system demands that the SPGB has a leader, which we nominally do, but what impact has that had on the party? Has that led to a cult of personality developing around the new leader?
Looking at the use of state power following the Soleimani attack, tanks are the least of the worries. If the “smash the state” enthusiasts seriously think they can take to the street to defeat targeted high explosive drones, then they have a nasty surprise waiting for them!
Is there a discussion to be had within the party about our attitude towards those with what might be described as “spiritual” or other beliefs/views.
Is religion, i.e. a set of organised beliefs, shared by more than one person, different to a set of beliefs about things of a supernatural nature.
My understanding is that party membership and religious belief are incompatible as religious belief implies a deference to a set of principles that are somehow ordained by some deity and which adherents of that religion are required to comply with. Our acceptance of Historical materialism — “that the origin and development of the universe, of life, of man, of human society and of religion itself can be explained adequately without recourse to the so-called supernatural — is an integral part of socialist theory. A socialist party is made up of fully convinced socialists. To admit people who merely want Socialism because they think it is morally right or because it fulfils “God’s plan” would be to run the risk of eventually ceasing to be a socialist party at all.”
However is that religious belief the same as someone who thinks, without any adherence to a religious doctrine, that there might be some form of life after death or some kind of other supernatural forces at play in our lives.
I do not believe that it is part of “god’s plan” that Newcastle United will win the league (it would appear if there is a god, he has no intention of ever letting us win the league), however after having a curry before the 1st match of the 95-96 season (3-0 win over Coventry), I thought it sensible to continue having a curry before each subsequent home match, just to be on the safe side. Sadly this didn’t work out as planned, but does this mean I should turn in my party badge?
I do think there is a debate to be had in this area as formal religious belief makes way for vague notions of afterlife and spirituality.
“The main issue, though, is to see this ‘observer’ as a creator of what it ‘observes’, by its own activity (rather than a passive ‘observer’ of what already supposedly ‘exists’ outside of any active production by the ‘observer’).”
So by that logic, if I give you a good hard kick up the arse, it’s your fault for observing it, not mine for doing it. Finally something we can agree on!
I have sent them the following email, which I hope they find useful:
HiRead on your website about your plans to set up a genuinely Socialist and Democratic movement and your plans to create a structure to avoid the pitfalls of “democratic” centralism and the “tyranny of structurelessness”, both laudable aims. I thought these two links might help:Yours in hopeTim KilgallonPity that the Trots in Workers’ Liberty who state “We are yet to see whether Labour Transformed will successfully develop the internal democracy, strategy, and routine of holding leaders to account” can’t work out that if you can’t hold leaders to account (if you are a follower, you follow) and the only way to ensure democracy in an organisation is not to have leaders!
Looking at the bright side of Labour’s election defeat. If the press are to believed and Corbyn is a Marxist revolutionary, it’s quite encouraging that nearly 1/3 of those who voted voted for him. At least it shows that the terms Marxist and revolutionary don’t put some people off.
Or take a leaf out of Ian Smith’s book and declare UDI.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhodesia%27s_Unilateral_Declaration_of_Independence
Or De Valera and Cathal Brugha, more worryingly!
The exit polls suggest Labour has been heavily defeated and the Tories will have a substantial majority in parliament
I have raised this issue but what could be the knock on consequences for the SPGB?
I think we need to redouble our efforts to make inroads to the 1,000s of disappointed labour activists who genuinely thought that Corbyn, et al was going to bring about change. I know several who are starting to question reformism, we need to get out there and show to them that, despite all the well meaning promises, reformism is an cul de sac of capitalism.
I genuinely feel this is a huge opportunity for the Party generally
“I see Steve Coleman our ex-comrade is involved in this project. According to Steve, talking of this gadget: “We think that this has potential to provide vital democratic feedback from the audience to the politicians and broadcasters.”
How are the mighty fallen?
decent bit of coverage in Wales on Line: (you have to scroll down a little way)
https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/cardiff-central-general-election-candidates-16891903
Well done Brian
Sadly I agree, it seems to me that rather seeing a defeat for Corbyn as a defeat for Reformism, they see it as a defeat for progress. The annoying thing is that I know loads of people, and I’m sure others do as well, who agree with the party case but say that because the numbers are small we lack credibility, but the numbers are small because fools like them keep voting for Corbyn or Foot or even Blair. If in even one constituency we could gain a share of the vote above 5%, I genuinely think the snowball effect could start.
