One_Stop_Shop
Well-Known Member
Of course the SP are building branches, I have no doubt about this (although as said even in left branches the rank and file is still very weak, as the recent response to the branch shut downs has shown). But the network we are building in our branch is about more than that. We have worked with UUL where we can and also put suggestions to them about how they can turn themselves into a proper network/rank and file, and they have taken some of these suggestions on board, even if there are still many problems. We are also trying to make links with other branches in our region. But we don’t have the resources or networks of a national organization, so UUL is all there has been to link into, other than informal approaches to other branches and union officers/stewards/members in other branches.
I have seen the programme that the SP builds on and personally I think the programme that we have stood on in our branch is at least as good, it’s definitely overtly socialist and around practical issues.
Of course the SP don’t just say join the SP, I meant that that is all they offer in relation to the issue of building a rank and file, not in all areas of work. Apologies if that wasn’t clear.
I don’t believe what we’ve done in our branch can’t be done elsewhere, it involves members of various groups, who work well together, and the majority of stewards/members are in none but are socialists or left leaning. We have also involved community groups and TRAs. In most branches and in most areas there simply aren’t any or are a very minimal amount of people in far left groups, they couldn’t act as a block even if they wanted to. We have faced a lot of opposition from so called “lefts” in our branch but you can still build something, and we have done.
No it’s not about Holmes. I think an organized rank and file network could be build here and now, with or without groups who want to be obstructive. I don’t understand why it’s not being done by more than the UUL.
I have seen the programme that the SP builds on and personally I think the programme that we have stood on in our branch is at least as good, it’s definitely overtly socialist and around practical issues.
Of course the SP don’t just say join the SP, I meant that that is all they offer in relation to the issue of building a rank and file, not in all areas of work. Apologies if that wasn’t clear.
I don’t believe what we’ve done in our branch can’t be done elsewhere, it involves members of various groups, who work well together, and the majority of stewards/members are in none but are socialists or left leaning. We have also involved community groups and TRAs. In most branches and in most areas there simply aren’t any or are a very minimal amount of people in far left groups, they couldn’t act as a block even if they wanted to. We have faced a lot of opposition from so called “lefts” in our branch but you can still build something, and we have done.
No it’s not about Holmes. I think an organized rank and file network could be build here and now, with or without groups who want to be obstructive. I don’t understand why it’s not being done by more than the UUL.