imposs1904
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1) I'm sure one of its main purposes of such an event was to raise funds for the branch/party.2) The main SPGB page on Facebook does have over 750 friends. (Over a thousand, I think.) You get the Party hats and I'll get the punch. Will two litres suffice?
Mike Foster wrote:Here's an introduction to Johnny Mercer's talk:Revolutionary ActivityAs socialists we do not believe that using the ballot to wrest state power from the capitalist class is by any means the sole revolutionary activity – although we do advocate use of the ballot box, it is widely held in the SPGB that most revolutionary action will be extra-parliamentary, in workplaces and communities. However, we rarely take the time to consider what these extra-parliamentary means might be. For example, do we support workers councils, class-wide unions like the IWW, or something else? Consideration of extra-parliamentary action raises again the question of reformism. It has long been argued that a socialist party must aim solely for socialism or risk being bogged down in reformism. But just because the SPGB needs to maintain purity in the political sphere does that mean that individual members ought not to engage in direct action outside of this sphere? Marx said “When communist workmen gather together, their immediate aim is instruction, propaganda, etc. But at the same time, they acquire a new need – the need for society – and what appears as a means had become an end … The brotherhood of man is not a hollow phrase, it is a reality, and the nobility of man shines forth upon us from their work-worn figures”. Can direct, collective action raise class-consciousness and give us a glimpse of unalienated social activity?"maintain purity in the political sphere" I don't mean to be rude but that's just embarrassing to come from a party member. That wording is just echoing the worst sort of caricature that has been flung against us by our political enemies for over a century. If it was meant to be provocative I'm certainly provoked. And the first part I've bolded is just empty phrasemongering.
More new old stuff on the blog. Something for everyone. Check it out at your leisure.Link: Socialist Standard Past and Present Blog
The Labour Party had a different voting system in place back then to elect its leader and deputy leader, but Kinnock's victory over Benn was overwhelming enough to indicate that the majority of the Labour Party agreed with the direction in which Kinnock was going.Link: The result
He stood against Kinnock for the leadership of the Labour Party the following year, and only secured 11% of the vote, so I think that confidence was rather misplaced.
Fair enough if there isn't enough room in the Standard for inclusion of the results – though I note some months the Standard will have the occasional page that is covered with about 75% image – but I do think the results should be readily accessible on the Party website.And when I write 'readily accessible' I don't mean included in a comment on a thread on the discussion forum.
Finally got my arse in gear and posted the final article in Bill Waters 1950s 'Backwaters of History' series. The last article was about the Tolpuddle Martyrs:Link: Backwaters of HistoryA very interesting series. I really wish there was something similar being serialized in the Standard today.
I'm sure it was just a silly oversight but I think omitting the individual results of the SPGB candidates in the recent General Election from the article in this month's Socialist Standard reporting on the campaign, we've left ourselves open to be accused of hiding the results from our readers.
Just a quick post to mention that I'm posting again over at the Socialist Standard Past and Present blog. I'm too lazy to post individual links, so you'll just have to click on the link: Link: Socialist Standard Past and Present Blog
Nice find. I always had a soft spot for Hayman's first band, Hefner, and their *cough* classic, 'The Day That Thatcher Dies'. Before people chime in with the view that the song was in poor taste, it dates from 2000.
I guess you could check out Edmund Wilson's To The Finland Station.There's also George Lichtheim's The Origins of Socialism.
