SPGB COMMUNICATION STRATEGY
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Young Master Smeet wrote:though, where I do take big issue is the idea that the left are raising questions and ideas along the right line, rather than culpably spreading confusion).
I am not sure about that, some do spread confusion but some take up issues of importance to our case. Example, distribution of wealth/ ownership. 'People before profits' , How we are manipulated into war, the list is endless. We are not the only people propagating against capitalism. There are many on the 'left' (hate that generalisation) doing some good propaganda against capitist control.We need to tap in on that. As you say we are not a cult, our banner should be amongst other campaigns against capitalism but calling for Revolution Not Reform. Otherwise we look like enemies to the working class as if we are standing aside while workers are 'dragged beneath the wheels of the Juggernaut of capital'No apologies for quoting that German Revolutionary
And many of them play the game of Blame the Bankers, tax the rich, anti-imperialism, national liberation: I think the balance sheet is they do more harm than good.
Vin wrote:"We stand for a monyless world without countries" Will sound unreasonable to many and ears may shut down.Actually, that's not my experience. Many people are, surprisingly perhaps, quite receptive to the notion of a moneyless society, including some who attended our meeting in Brighton last Tuesday.
If we haven't found the right 'strategy' after 111 years then it's unlikely that we will. The same applies to our companion parties who are doing even less well than ourselves. Why is it though that those who continually carp and snipe from the sidelines and appear to have all the answers don't simply put their ideas into practice and show the rest of us where we're going wrong? Why aren't our comrades in the North-East forging ahead and leaving the rest of us behind? Why isn't there a thriving socialist party in Spain, where Robin has resided for over a decade; surely there must be an abundance of religious workers there who are just falling over themselves in their bid to join up?The truth is that there is no silver bullet; we constantly have to battle not only against the misinformation which workers are fed from cradle to grave but against Leninists and other distorters of socialism. That we're around and still doing that is an achievement in itself.
Surely if we have the right strategy, and just what that is has to be clear to all members, so i am sure there is no harm in defining and re-affirming it, there is still an urgent case for discussing and debating how we put into practice a campaign, and in particular when and where we can be more successful using our existing 111 year old experience.The task to overcome is as you say "we constantly have to battle not only against the misinformation which workers are fed from cradle to grave but against Leninists and other distorters of socialism." and the truth is that they have more weapons in their armoury than we do ourselves…so the importance of propaganda tactics and how we deploy our limited resources is even more important. Wasn't this a lesson we learned from the election…that Brighton and Oxford were places we should concentrate our message…now is the time to decide exactly what the priority of the message should be.In defence of NERB, they did succeed in becoming a branch after many years of inactivity and stood a candidate in the general election. I'm sure there are other branches more rightly deserving of your critiicism. In regards to your criticism of Robbo, i don't think you really appreciate the difficulty of forming a socialist group where there does not nor has existed a tradition that in the UK helped to establish the SPGB. And the companion parties i do not believe were home-grown (except maybe for the SPC) but imports by our socialist "missionaries". I think you would have been on stronger ground with Robbo if you referred to the stagnant growth of World In Common.Robbo does a very fine job on the internet on our behalf and it is to be appreciated not spurned so as to discourage it.
alanjjohnstone wrote:In defence of NERB, they did succeed in becoming a branch after many years of inactivity and stood a candidate in the general election. I'm sure there are other branches more rightly deserving of your critiicism.No they're not; members of other branches and their 'supporters' aren't negatively casting aspersions on the party's strategy, etc.
Quote:In regards to your criticism of Robbo, i don't think you really appreciate the difficulty of forming a socialist group where there does not nor has existed a tradition that in the UK helped to establish the SPGB. And the companion parties i do not believe were home-grown (except maybe for the SPC) but imports by our socialist "missionaries".The comment was made with tongue planted slightly in cheek. But Robin, and you as well for that matter, surely fall into the category of socialist "missionaries"…..
Quote:Robbo does a very fine job on the internet on our behalf and it is to be appreciated not spurned so as to discourage it.Nobody's denying Robin's efforts in the slightest but some of us do find it a tad wearisome having to listen to his constant harping on about the SPGB's position on not admitting holy rollers into membership.
gnome wrote:If we haven't found the right 'strategy' after 111 years then it's unlikely that we will. The same applies to our companion parties who are doing even less well than ourselves. Why is it though that those who continually carp and snipe from the sidelines and appear to have all the answers don't simply put their ideas into practice and show the rest of us where we're going wrong? Why aren't our comrades in the North-East forging ahead and leaving the rest of us behind? Why isn't there a thriving socialist party in Spain, where Robin has resided for over a decade; surely there must be an abundance of religious workers there who are just falling over themselves in their bid to join up?The truth is that there is no silver bullet; we constantly have to battle not only against the misinformation which workers are fed from cradle to grave but against Leninists and other distorters of socialism. That we're around and still doing that is an achievement in itself.gnome wrote:alanjjohnstone wrote:In defence of NERB, they did succeed in becoming a branch after many years of inactivity and stood a candidate in the general election. I'm sure there are other branches more rightly deserving of your critiicism.No they're not; members of other branches and their 'supporters' aren't negatively casting aspersions on the party's strategy, etc.
Not really sure what your problem is with the NERB, Gnome? This is not the first time you have expressed animosity toward them.I don't recall any animosity being expressed toward the KSRB from comrades in the North East. Just because you may have a problem with a couple of NERB members and myself expressing opinions you dislike, does not mean the branch as a whole is deserving of your animosity.I believe in the 1980's there was a thriving NERB, for reasons unknown to me it withered away. When I joined in the late 1990's the branch had been resurected and once more began to thrive. We did all the usual things, as well as contesting a number of elections. Once again the branch withered away. Now under quite difficult circumstances the branch has once again resurfaced and managed to contest the last general election. Perhaps it will once more grow only to wither away, who knows. But please don't lather your animosity for a few, over the entire branch.Officially there are 20 NERB members. 5 make regular appearances on the NERB on-line meeting room on this site. The NERB members whom you take exception to that make regular contributions to this forum do not claim to speak for the whole branch.As for these negative aspersions you speak of. Since when has constructive criticism been taboo within the SPGB/WSM. The NERB members and "supporters" on this forum who are critical, are not engaged in trolling the SPGB. No one has ever said there are any silver bullet solutions to improve the fortunes of the SPGB/WSM. It is simply the considered view of myself and one or two NERB members that the SPGB does itself no favours in alienating those attracted to the "left". On what planet could this be construed as casting negative aspersions at the SPGB? Time and time again I have asked you to provide counter arguments to opinions or proposals I have offered, yet despite your vociferous objections, you fail to present any solid counter arguments. And now you condemn the North East branch. It prompts the question, who is being negative?
gnome wrote:Why is it though that those who continually carp and snipe from the sidelines and appear to have all the answers don't simply put their ideas into practice and show the rest of us where we're going wrong?The Party's twitter account has over 2000 followers and growing fast.
gnome wrote:Why is it though that those who continually carp and snipe from the sidelines and appear to have all the answers don't simply put their ideas into practice and show the rest of us where we're going wrong?The branch initiated an on line regional meeting in an attempt to draw members together. Hasn't worked.Because I don't attend summer school and other public physical meetings does not mean I am on the sidelines, it only means I think they are a wast of time or can't attend and rather spend my time seeking methods to advance socialism.A handful of NERB members put up a candidate at the last general election. Members of NERB often remark that we are encouraged and appreciate the efforts of your branch. Why all the negativity towards us?
Vin, you'll get no answers from Gnome.I had hoped he would have done the comradely thing and apologise for his display of negativity towards NERB. As both you and I have pointed out, there is no hostility towards KSRB from NERB members.To put it into context still further, I don't recall any NERB member express hostility towards KSRB despite individual members from both branches coming to blows in the past.
SocialistPunk wrote:Vin, you'll get no answers from Gnome.Here's my categorical answer, SP.I know of nobody who has expressed negativity or hostility towards NERB as a branch. How could they considering that few of us hear from or even know about 90% of its members? It's a situation that's existed for as long as most of us can recall. Now here's a question for you. Any clues as to why that might be?
Gnome,What a surprise, I didn't think you would admit to expressing a negative attitude towards NERB. But your attitude is there for all to see and was in fact commented on by another, non NERB, party member.As to your calculations. I already said that NERB has twenty members, five of whom take part in the branch online meetings on this site. My brief calculations make it 25% that are, probably, officially deemed active members. That makes 75% of members being inactive, not 90% as you suggest. I expect it is the way it has always been with the SPGB as a whole.Perhaps you have the answers to the mystery? An answer would be appreciated as your question seems to be a loaded one.
gnome wrote:How could they considering that few of us hear from or even know about 90% of its members? It's a situation that's existed for as long as most of us can recall. Now here's a question for you. Any clues as to why that might be?You were around in the 80s when there was a thriving Seaham branch that regularily printed and distributed leaflets to every home in seaham. We also debated with every political party, including Militant tendancy and local high profile individuals.We also attempted to raise the party's profile by holding 'discussion groups' in Hartlepool, Sunderland, Newcastle etc which gave rise to the North East BranchClifford Slapper, Cyril May, Harry young, Ken Night, Steve Coleman all came more than once and spoke to meetings of 40 or 50ffs I believe you were central organiser at the time. I remember you These methods were fine then but not now. Communications have gone through a revolution and "it would be an act of monumental stupidity" for the socialist movement to ignore that fact and continue on its present course.
gnome wrote:I know of nobody who has expressed negativity or hostility towards NERB as a branch. How could they considering that few of us hear from or even know about 90% of its members? It's a situation that's existed for as long as most of us can recall. Now here's a question for you. Any clues as to why that might be?physical or mental Illness, grief, age, poverty. caring committments, death, disability??Every single one of these has applied/does apply to at least one member of the branch. While you were attackinng and bullying members for being inactive, two were dead, an active sympathiser was recieving life threating cancer operation,, one has MS and is slowly losing the ability to walk, one has COPD, one had sever family related problems and a few are in the 80s = I could go on.If any of these ever apply to yourself, I for one will argue against the party bullies demanding to know why you are sitting on your arse
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