Future elections
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But Steve had stated here that he didn't want any financial support
steve colborn wrote:Had offers of support from N.E. Socialists, (non members that is) monetarally but turned them down. I will stand, or fall, by my 32 years of advocating Socialism in this constituency, letters, meetings, talking to fellow workers. Advocating "our" aims, on the terms that if, "you do not understand and agree", we do not want, or need, your vote.Steve.Hopefully, then, electors will remember the manifesto he put out in 2005 which can be seen here (message #6). It will be interesting to see if he gets more than the 313 votes he got last time.
You are quite correct Adam, I did in fact say I did not want any finacial support but, I would have appreciated the Party offering to print a manifesto on my behalf, which I would have paid for, (the prices of local printers being exhorbitant) and if what I wanted printing did not live up to my and our, principles, the Party did not need to agree to print it!The offer was not forthcoming however but would have been appreciated, acknowledged and more than likely accepted , nonetheless.Steve.
It is on post #16 (31st March) of this thread, where Steve states he is standing in the local elections and post #71 (5th April) where he mentions his rejection of offers of financial from non party socialists.That's a lot of talking and no offers of party support.
SOYMB did earlier offer to put any election statement by yourself on the blog and that still stands, Steve. It is not much of an audience but provides a link for people to refer to when they are at other discussion lists.But as i said in another thread on another topic , if you don't ask , you don't get
OK, I'll ask. If I send a manifesto and if it is up to standard, would the Party print it for me, I'll pay! Steve.
Probably, if we're talking about a commercial arrangement. But there'd be a couple of problems. First, would you be talking about sending down what used to be called "camera-ready artwork", i.e with the design and layout already done so that all that would remain would be to print (in fact, photocopy), say, a couple of thousand leaflets? This is the main cost a profit-seeking printshop would charge for. Second, there is the cost of postage of sending the leaflets back. This could well (as you know, this a problem that has come up before when we've contested local elections in the North East) outweight the financial advantage of having them printed cost-price in London. So, if you can do the layout or find someone to do it (don't foreget to put your name and address in small letters at the bottom as the publisher so as to conform to electoral law), it would probably be better for the leaflets to be photocopied locally. Anyway, first things first: the manifesto needs to be written which could at least serve as a press statement or letter.
The Old Grey Whistle, I have decided that I won't do an article in the Socialist Standard about the Contemporary Marxist Party as, even though I am no longer a member of the CMP, I am worried this will upset the party and, even though I don't agree with the party, I don't want to cause tension. Though it is a nice idea suggesting to do an article.
Nice to see a little sympathy shown towards Steve. Because of him, and others, the party is well know in the area and receives good support from workers who vote. I fear that standing as a non member will do a lot of damage to the name of the Socialist Party. Not blaming Steve for this- he is left with little option and he is driven by the need to keep socialism on the agendaThe imprompto parties celebrating Thatcher's death is proof that workers have long memories in the ex mining communities.Hell, we still talk about the class traitor Ramsey Macdonald up here, lolI would suggest1 an apology for the way in which some of the party treated him and forced him and others out of the party.2. Steve rejoins3 Steve stands as Party canditate4 The party uses it's fund as they were intended to be used5. Sociaists in the area offer as much support as they are able, press, internet, meetings etcI realise that this post will – like my other posts on the thread – be all but ignored. I am not sure if it this is because of the demonisation of ex comrade maratty or the actual things I am saying. I make no excuses for appearing a naive and idealistic idiot but I really am sick to fucking death of capitalism and a socialist canditate would make me feel a lot better. The preverbial nail in the coffin of capitalism.
I'm afraid it's too late for this, at least before the election on 2 May. It would require an EC decision both to re-admit Steve and to endorse him as a candidate and the EC doesn't meet until 4 May. And, in view of what happened, whereas (2) would be possible, being realistic there would be certainly be opposition to (1) and probably also to (3).It's not a question of ignoring your post but of what's possible given the party's democratic decision-making processes. Better to let things take their course this time and see if something can be worked out in time for next May's elections when, amongst others, Sunderland and South Tyneside councils will be up for re-election.
ALB wrote:It's not a question of ignoring your post but of what's possible given the party's democratic decision-making processes. Better to let things take their course this time and see if something can be worked out in time for next May's elections when, amongst others, Sunderland and South Tyneside councils will be up for re-election.Democracy need not be bureaucratic and slow. I think it is time the SPGB took a long hard look at how party democracy could be brought up to date with modern technology.In the meantime looks like a real socialist takes a back seat to an anarchist book shop. Maybe next time!"Power to the people"
ALB wrote:I'm afraid it's too late for this, at least before the election on 2 May. It would require an EC decision both to re-admit Steve and to endorse him as a candidate and the EC doesn't meet until 4 May. And, in view of what happened, whereas (2) would be possible, being realistic there would be certainly be opposition to (1) and probably also to (3).I just don't get it
SocialistPunk wrote:In the meantime looks like a real socialist takes a back seat to an anarchist book shop. Maybe next time!"Power to the people"If I followed the discussion correctly I think it was taken that the EC had the authority to make a payment.
SocialistPunk wrote:In the meantime looks like a real socialist takes a back seat to an anarchist book shop.Just in case someone gets the wrong impression. No Socialist Party money was given to an anarchist bookshop nor was it ever likely to have been given. OK, a couple of people suggested this in the heat of the moment without taking into account that this would not have been possible under the party's rules. As if party moneys could be given to any outside organisation, let alone one that opposes contesting elections.
Glad you cleared that one up Adam. Thanks.My only concern here regarding both issues, is that whereas mention of financial support was suggested for an anarchist bookshop, no party support at all was spoken of when it came to a recent, reluctant ex member standing at a local election.That ex member only left the party as a matter of principle, very reluctantly may I add, I know it caused him much distress. If the party is serious about positive socialist activity taking off wherever possible, I don't think it too much to expect forward thinking socialists to rally around a fellow socialist, who in reality does not want to be left out in the wilderness.
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