Socialist Party Head Office
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Email received at Head Office yesterday on subject "We need to change things leaflet":
Quote:Hello,Please respect the 'no junk mail' sticker on my letterbox and don't post your flyers through. RegardsWillHere's a report on this.On 7 January, a short walk was made by Socialists around Soho and Fitzrovia. Despite the midday, mid-week timing, necessary to coincide with the visit of Albin and Swantje, from Sweden, there was a good turnout (a dozen). We viewed the old Red Lion pub, where the iconic Communist Manifesto was presented to the Communist Workers’ Education Society, Marx’s house in Dean Street, scene of the dire poverty which killed off three of his children, and the home of the First International in Greek Street, which, as our comrade Danny Lambert reminded us, was the venue for the first reading of the Socialist classic Value, Price and Profit. We then proceeded across Soho Square and Oxford Street to the vicinity of Fitzroy Square, for nigh forty years around the turn of the last century, stomping ground of the Communist Club. The latter, the guide explained, was the successor to the Communist Worker’s Education Society, habituated by friends of Marx, as well as other late nineteenth century notables, such as William Morris. The club was also the first headquarters of our own Party, thus forming a neat link between past and present.
Contribution from an SP member not on this forum:The newspaper and TV reporters covering the atrocity – carried out apparently to avenge a long dead ‘prophet’ who has become prone to the gags of mickey-takers and critics due to the absurdities of his followers – all emphasise the point that the right to free speech is not negotiable, and is the very essence of democracy.And they are right of course. Ridiculous people and ridiculous ideas inevitably attract ridicule. And the most absurd idea still being bandied about in the 21st century as an answer to modern day capitalism and its problems is religion. Despite the claims from its various apologists of their moral superiority, and the insistence that they should be accepted, unchallenged and unquestioned, as examples of how we are to live our lives, they are, in fact, the socially useless remnants of a long-gone world, a world of ancient social conditions and ideas, mass ignorance and superstition. And far from providing answers to today’s problems they have nothing say, other than to tell us to put our faith in the imaginary gods and their magical powers, of an ancient era.The fact that believers in such gods obviously consider their deities to be so weak and helpless, however, as to need their critics to be silenced by Kalashnikovs says as much about the god’s impotence as does any Charlie Hebdo cartoon.And, while it seems clear that the intention of the attackers was to silence the critics, this has backfired. Already gatherings of outraged people protesting at the barbarity are taking place all over Europe. More moderate Muslims too, this time more than ever before, are expressing their outrage. ‘Everyone should be offended three times a week’ someone once said, ‘and twice on Sundays’. And that seems about right. There’s nothing like a bit straight talking, and a bit of offence to remind us that not everyone shares the same views. And while believers in ancient myths have every right to feel offended that their ideas are sometimes ridiculed, the rest of us reserve the right to be equally offended at religious stupidity and barbarity.
From an email received yesterday at Head Office:
Quote:By drawing on the teachings of Marx, Gramsi, and other revolutionary scholars
I will propose how Brand, despite of all his criticisms from the left,
would've actually been supported by the godfathers of the left.The main focus of my argument would be how the reach of Brand’s influence
has bypassed revolutionary campaigners like Noam Chomsky who've worked
tirelessly towards promoting positive change.Unfortunately their work is exclusively confined to those actively interested
in the subject of political thinking and fails to reach the disengaged and
uninformed masses. However Brand is on hand to turn the volume up, not just
literally with his intrusive cockney twang, but with his established channels
of influence acting as extra antennas to disperse the frequencies of
revolution far and wide, directly to those who need to hear it most.The successful way in which Brand has embedded himself within the mainstream
communicative channels of influence in society (YouTube, Television, Standup
Comedy) to advocate revolution is relatively unprecedented in the modern day
social media generation. He has been the first revolutionary to harness the
21st century tools of mass communication in such an effective way and with
this he holds great potential to spread the message of change far and wide.This is why I believe he shouldn't be ridiculed by the left, for it is
disunity which is the main down fall of the wing from pursuing positive
change.Email message received at Head Office (for those who want to change the world rather than merely interpret it):
Quote:There's still time to order your copy of the2015 LONDON REBEL HISTORY CALENDAR
But hurry – stocks are limited and selling fast…!
Already December… the nights are fair drawing in…
Pre-Xmas gloom already settling? Trapped between the UCKG and the Disney
Shop?Brighten up the mood with the best subversive Xmas Present money can buy:
The 2015 LONDON REBEL HISTORY CALENDAR
Past Tense’s second annual London Rebel History Calendar, commemorating
some of London’s radical, riotous and rebellious (and even some
repressive) anniversaries. An interesting and subversive anniversary for
every day of next year! A must for all enemies within, disaffected lefties
and all those who just won't lie down and give in.As a contribution to the past 100 years' resistance to war, there’s a fair
few World War One dates scattered herein… together with hundreds of
other inspiring, arousing and downright emotional dates to remember. We
plumb obscure backwaters of the capital's radical and disorderly underside
you just never knew existedLovingly printed on fine quality paper, but with a rowdy style and
provocative attitude,
in four funky colours, "pithie and profitable for all readers"; how can
you afford not to…?A few sample pages from the Calendar are attached to whet your appetite.
Only £5.00
Postage & Packing: £2.00AND HOW CAN YOU GET HOLD OF THEM?
The 2015 London Rebel History Calendar is available from the publications
page at our website:where you can pay by paypal.
Alternatively by post, from:
Past tense
c/o 56a Infoshop
56 Crampton Street
London
SE17 3AEenclosing a cheque payable to Past Tense Publications
Email received at Head Office about a meeting on this subject:
Quote:Hi folks,Some people might say its not 'history' – it's OUR history. An interesting
public meeting coming up this week at London Metropolitan University:Campaign Against Police Surveillance Public Meeting
The Truth About Britain's Secret Police
Wednesday 12th November
6-8 pm.
Harry Thomas Lecture Theatre, London Metropolitan University Tower,
Holloway Road, N7 8DBPolice officers lying in court, having children with women they spy on,
infiltrating grieving families like the Lawrences… and much more.Three of those spied on speak at London Metropolitan University (an
institution currently employing a former undercover police infiltrator,
Bob Lambert).• Helen Steel: One of eight women suing the police for being deceived into
relationships with undercover cops.• Dave Smith: Trade Unionist on illegal blacklist maintained with the help
of police• Merrick Badger: Environmentalist who exposed police spy Mark Kennedy.
More info contact:
campaignopposingpolicesurveillance.com
@copscampaign
Email received at Head Office from a sympathiser in the US:
Quote:Oh what a world!! I have been wondering if you guys have approached Mr. Brand…he and the spgb are a perfect match! He's so nearly on the same page (if not there already)…and has a huge following.PLEASE get him on board, so he has an organisation he can believe in, and vote for, and bring attention to your ideology…the right kind of socialism!This article has just been republished here:http://openipub.com/?pub=ZeitgeistBankingTheory.html
The same radio station, Voice of Africa, have invited a speaker from us to discuss the Scottish referendum and women's equality along with Elizabeth Jones this evening (Monday 15 September) at 7pm. Our spokesperson will be comrade Adam Buick.Details of the station here: http://www.voiceofafricaradio.com/
Another email received at Head Office from Douglas Alexander at Labour HQ, We are sending him our statement and sticker.
Quote:Friend, we have just six days to keep the United Kingdom together.Even if you can't vote in this referendum, you can make a difference by chipping in to support our campaign. This is so close that every pound counts.Donate £3Donate £5Donate another amountIf Scotland leaves the UK, it will break up our Labour family, and be a blow to social justice across these islands. This shared pursuit of social justice is the Labour Party's founding principle and has driven us to our greatest achievements: the NHS, the welfare state, the National Minimum Wage. While the referendum is a decision for Scotland, the debate about solidarity is one for everyone. In this final week, let's stand together as a Labour movement, united, in every part of the UK. Thanks for your support, DouglasEmail received at Head Office and further evidence that our stickers are being noticed:
Quote:Dear SPGB, as a member of the Scottish Socialist Party (which is not racist)
and pro independence for Scotland, I was disappointed to find a sticker from
your organisation in my street urging people to use the vote as a protest for
world socialism. This referendum is much misunderstood, especially south of
the border, and is a vital opportunity for Scotland to free itself from a
Tory Government that no one in Scotland votes for. It could set an example of
what can be done against a racist government that is prejudiced against the
most vulnerable in society, involves itself in illegal wars, and has an
outdated idea of Britishness. Independence is not about 'borders' in the
negative sense but about 'boundaries' in the positive sense, in the way a
person needs good boundaries to thrive and to have thriving relationships
with others. Scotland has always traditionally been more Socialist than
England and indeed welcomes and campaigns hard for the rights of Asylum
seekers living here. Our largest number of incomers however, are English,
many of whom are also voting Yes. Independence for Scotland will allow the
growth of smaller parties again without the dominance of the English Tory
vote, most importantly the Scottish Socialist Party which has growing support
in Scotland and has formed strong links with Socialists in other countries
including Cuba. Many previously disillusioned voters in Scotland are voting
for the first time as they see the referendum as providing a once in a
lifetime opportunity for self determination and real change. Please call a
halt to encouraging voters in Scotland to waste it. I urge you to put this
email up on your website to educate people as to why Independence for
Scotland is a vital step for the Socialist cause and for World Socialism. I
look forward to hearing from you.
in solidariy, Frances CorrP.S. Apologies for omitting an important point in my last email on Scottish Independence: as a campaigner for the rights of asylum seekers to stay in the country and not be deported back to countries where their lives and wellbeing are at risk, the problem we are faced with in Scotland is that Westminster has control over this issue. We have no legal power over the UK Border Agency who carry out dawn raids on families, including children who are part of our community, taking them by force to detention centres in England to await deportation. In an Independant Scotland this could not happen. Please make sure this information is passed on to your supporters.Thomas Piketty was sent a copy of this review. Here is his reply:
Quote:Sorry that you found my preferred tax policies too weak! Most people usually feel the opposite. Best, ThomasAs this email sent to Head Office yesterday shows, our comrades in Glasgow have been active:
Quote:My name is [x]. I live in Glasgow. I am not a member of the SPGB but, while walking about my hometown I've seen SPGB stickers that ask people to not vote yes or no in the Scottish referendum but to ask for World Socialism. I entirely agree with this sentiment however there are definitely not enough of these stickers, especially compared to the amount of yes and no stickers. I was wondering how I might go about getting some of these stickers to put up? Would it cost me? How many could I get? etc? Thank you for taking the time to read this email. Yours, in solidarity.Email received on 18 August 2014:
Quote:Thank you for your request for a stall at the Anarchist Bookfair on the 18th October. We looked at your website and considered your request during our last Bookfair Collective meeting. I am sorry to have to inform you that we considered the politics of the Socialist Party of Great Britain, in particular your belief in political parties, are not sufficiently compatible with Anarchism for us to able to offer you a stall. I realise that you will be disappointed by our decision but need to let you know that it is final. Jane, on behalf of the Anarchist Bookfair CollectiveOzymandias wrote:If I send money can you send me one of those stickers to my home in Glasgow?The stickers have now arrived at Head Office and some 500 have already been sent on to Scotland. Can you email Head Office with your address and the number you want? Thanks.Anyone else who wants some is welcome to do the same.
