SWP expulsions and squabbles

[Karmickameleon]

Does anyone here think that he will end up back in the party? I've noticed that he's started putting himself about a bit more on twitter over the last few weeks - perhaps a sign of rising confidence about the future?

Given that the SWP has managed to shoot itself in both feet quite so spectactularly, I guess anything is possible. That said, I think Delta's return is highly unlikely. In many of its activities, the SWP relies on the goodwill and the participation of a wider left periphery (so as to "punch above its weight" in the words of a much overused expression). Surely -rightly or wrongly- the general perception in that periphery is that Delta is very probably guilty in the Comrade W case.
Secondly, as I understand it, he would need to reapply for membership, in which case he would have to answer the accusations of sexual harassment in the Comrade X case (copiously documented by her and her witnesses). Now while it is true that his most rabid supporters might argue that there is no longer a case to answer as the woman in question has left the party, others like Sheila M and other "middle-grounders" would undoubtedly kick up an almighty fuss. Another major split would be in the offing.....

 

[dennisr]

Statement from Kent IS:

A large number of members have resigned from the Socialist Workers Party in east Kent. We are leaving over the failure of the organisation's national leading bodies to handle the accusations of sexual predation against a former member and National Secretary in line with the party's politics on fighting women's oppression.

We are proud of our time in the party. Locally we have a history going back decades. We have been key activists in the fight against council house sell offs, closure of A&E departments and led many successful battles to drive the Nazi National Front and BNP from our streets. Further, we were at the centre of raising solidarity for the Kent Miners in their epic fight against Thatcher's Tories. We campaigned against the Poll Tax in the 1990's and the Bedroom Tax in 2013. Ten years ago we were among those that mobilised thousands of Kent people to march on the historic anti war demonstrations.

We are not leaving the field of battle, but will be fighting under a new banner.

We hope to launch, with others, a new organisation in east Kent that returns to the politics that once informed our old party. It will be based on the tradition of socialism from below, international solidarity and a liberating interpretation of Marxism that sees workers' revolution as the key to the emancipation of all mankind.

Still rewriting history then. The new organisation is 'Kent International Socialists'. First issue - front page article and photo on "'building support" for a campaign they have done feck all to build and have played feck all role in for a year. Nothing new - same old politics.

 

[Nigel Irritable]

Does anyone here think that he will end up back in the party?

I don't see how that would be in the interests of either the rump SWP or Delta as an individual.

 

[butchersapron]

I don't see how that would be in the interests of either the rump SWP or Delta as an individual.

That's not really the basis on which this whole thing has took place though is it?

 

[butchersapron]

Given that the SWP has managed to shoot itself in both feet quite so spectactularly, I guess anything is possible. That said, I think Delta's return is highly unlikely. In many of its activities, the SWP relies on the goodwill and the participation of a wider left periphery (so as to "punch above its weight" in the words of a much overused expression). Surely -rightly or wrongly- the general perception in that periphery is that Delta is very probably guilty in the Comrade W case.
Secondly, as I understand it, he would need to reapply for membership, in which case he would have to answer the accusations of sexual harassment in the Comrade X case (copiously documented by her and her witnesses). Now while it is true that his most rabid supporters might argue that there is no longer a case to answer as the woman in question has left the party, others like Sheila M and other "middle-grounders" would undoubtedly kick up an almighty fuss. Another major split would be in the offing.....

I think highly unlikely - i also think the reapplying can be dealt with depending on who controls things. And it's his mates right now. It would be in years rather than months if it ever happened. Right now? Even they won't be that tactically daft.

 

[killer b]

I don't see how that would be in the interests of either the rump SWP or Delta as an individual.

in which case, it's a dead cert.

 

[Nigel Irritable]

That's not really the basis on which this whole thing has took place though is it?

No, but I think a certain basic desire for self-preservation has to reassert itself at some point.

 

[killer b]

you'd think that wouldn't you. and yet...

 

[andysays]

No, but I think a certain basic desire for self-preservation has to reassert itself at some point.

Except that it's the leadership's desire for (what they see as) self-preservation above all else which has repeatedly got them mired deeper and deeper in this morass.

It's not that they don't wish it, it's more that they appear to have a totally fucked conception of what is important to preserve and, following on from this, how best to go about preserving it

 

[Nigel Irritable]

Except that it's the leadership's desire for (what they see as) self-preservation above all else which has repeatedly got them mired deeper and deeper in this morass.

It's not that they don't wish it, it's more that they appear to have a totally fucked conception of what is important to preserve and, following on from this, how best to go about preserving it

They haven't yet got so confused that they could seriously think that bringing back Delta would be a good idea, or at least the Callinicos - Kimber wing aren't that confused. Perhaps a few more years of isolation and decline followed by a Leatherite palace coup could be a route to that sort of bewildering craziness, but warped as the strategic vision of the non IDOOM leaders may be, they aren't that crazy.

Also, the SWP would have to be able to offer Delta something pretty good for it to be worth his while, given the shitstorm that would ensue.

 

[benedict]

Agree with this. For the moment the cost would be too great and I believe Lord Acton has a modicum more strategic sense than to stoke the embers of discontent. Certainly not beyond the realms of possibility though...

 

[emanymton]

Except that it's the leadership's desire for (what they see as) self-preservation above all else which has repeatedly got them mired deeper and deeper in this morass.

It's not that they don't wish it, it's more that they appear to have a totally fucked conception of what is important to preserve and, following on from this, how best to go about preserving it

This is all true, but they did eventually figure out he had to go, I don't think they have forgotten just yet.

 

[comrade spurski]

Given that the SWP has managed to shoot itself in both feet quite so spectactularly, I guess anything is possible. That said, I think Delta's return is highly unlikely. In many of its activities, the SWP relies on the goodwill and the participation of a wider left periphery (so as to "punch above its weight" in the words of a much overused expression). Surely -rightly or wrongly- the general perception in that periphery is that Delta is very probably guilty in the Comrade W case.
Secondly, as I understand it, he would need to reapply for membership, in which case he would have to answer the accusations of sexual harassment in the Comrade X case (copiously documented by her and her witnesses). Now while it is true that his most rabid supporters might argue that there is no longer a case to answer as the woman in question has left the party, others like Sheila M and other "middle-grounders" would undoubtedly kick up an almighty fuss. Another major split would be in the offing.....

they sold their souls and shat on their own principles throughout this disgusting episode so to be honest I'd be amazed if they had bottom line that could be crossed

 

[taffboy gwyrdd]

Curious to know if Karen Reissman is still in the party, and known reasons either way. Thanks for any info.

 

[emanymton]

Curious to know if Karen Reissman is still in the party, and known reasons either way. Thanks for any info.

Total Loyalist, it was her who chaired the original disputes committee session.

 

[taffboy gwyrdd]

Total Loyalist, it was her who chaired the original disputes committee session.

As I recall, didn't thinkthat made her a total loyalist of itself. Thanks for the info. Sure I saw her out and about the other day, she looked a bit stressed IMO. I always found her dead nice. Political loyalty and tribalism can really make for the most bizarre of circs innit.

 

[emanymton]

As I recall, didn't thinkthat made her a total loyalist of itself. Thanks for the info. Sure I saw her out and about the other day, she looked a bit stressed IMO. I always found her dead nice. Political loyalty and tribalism can really make for the most bizarre of circs innit.

Really, when I read the transcript I thought her chairing was terrible and very one-sided. In any case she is absolutely a loyalist

 

[Karmickameleon]

Kent ex-SWPers are quick off the mark selling their newspaper in Ramsgate. "Solidarity", now that rings a number of bells ...

 

[imposs1904]

Kent ex-SWPers are quick off the mark selling their newspaper in Ramsgate. "Solidarity", now that rings a number of bells ...

I'm guessing there's no AWL members in that neck of the woods.

 

[J Ed]

Why is it that first thing ex-SWPers seem to do is try and flog a new newspaper?

 

[emanymton]

Why is it that first thing ex-SWPers seem to do is try and flog a new newspaper?

Not all of us!

 

[manny-p]

I'm guessing there's no AWL members in that neck of the woods.

Don't the AWL have a controversial line over Palestine? Remember hearing they had an 'anti deutch' kinda line.

 

[DotCommunist]

Why is it that first thing ex-SWPers seem to do is try and flog a new newspaper?

sell the paper build the party

 

[J Ed]

sell the paper build the party

 

[laptop]

sell the paper build the party

No, no, no.

Build the paper, sell the party!

 

[belboid]

as an aside...

I notice Dave Hyland , former WRP CC member who covered for Healy's sexual assaults for years, until the Libyan money ran out, has died. He was more recently the British franchise holder for David North/Green's Socialist Equality Party, and North/Green is coming over to deliver memorial lectures. Could be a good time to ask him about his complicity in the fingering of Iraqi dissidents, or his running a multi-million dollar anti-union printing company.

 

[Brechin Sprout]

Don't the AWL have a controversial line over Palestine? Remember hearing they had an 'anti deutch' kinda line.

If the AWL didn't exist, Mossad would have to invent them.

 

[J Ed]

as an aside...

I notice Dave Hyland , former WRP CC member who covered for Healy's sexual assaults for years, until the Libyan money ran out, has died. He was more recently the British franchise holder for David North/Green's Socialist Equality Party, and North/Green is coming over to deliver memorial lectures. Could be a good time to ask him about his complicity in the fingering of Iraqi dissidents, or his running a multi-million dollar anti-union printing company.

I hadn't realised it until now but they're the people who spam news stories from the WSWS site?

 

[chilango]

Kent ex-SWPers are quick off the mark selling their newspaper in Ramsgate. "Solidarity", now that rings a number of bells ...

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

 

[Sue]

Kent ex-SWPers are quick off the mark selling their newspaper in Ramsgate. "Solidarity", now that rings a number of bells ...

Saw an SWP poster earlier with the same headline. I know there are only so many to go around but...bit of a coincidence?