paula.mcewan
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I think the reason there was such a large turnout of anti fascist demonstrators last night was due to trade union organisation. My TU (PCS) sent out a message yesterday jointly with Stand Up for Racism telling TU members where to demonstrate against the racists. Stand Up for Racism is very much supported – if not actually organised by – the SWP.
Every time I see SWP banners on a demo my heart sinks but let’s face it, they are visible and we are not. We don’t participate in demos on a point of principle but maybe we should be out there brandishing placards “World Socialism is the only solution”. Or some such placard agreed by the relevant committee.
It’s a long standing principle of our party that demos don’t achieve anything because they won’t achieve socialism. But maybe if we marched with banners and placards promoting the party case we might gain some new members.
Paula
It strikes me as odd that we’re not happy that the Conservatives have got a kicking. Seems we’re a political party that doesn’t give a dam about the voters.
Maybe this was discussed at the meeting – which I had to leave prematurely – but is there a dissonance in the party position? It’s inspiring to see footage of the working class marching in their thousands and hopefully millions, but our position is that it’s a waste of time. What would the party’s reaction be if, say a million people joined a protest in London tomorrow against the genocide in Gaza? I suspect the party position would be ‘well that was pointless because socialism is the solution’. Fair enough but the dissonance creeps in when we’re (or is it just me) secretly thinking “wow that’s amazing to see so many people publicly protesting”.
I posted the following message somewhere else on the Party forum, so sorry for any duplication but –
Why are we not standing in the Mayor elections? Here in Greater Manchester I’ve just received a booklet through the letter box, containing the manifesto of candidates.
Apparently it costs £5000 to stand for mayor. So the cost isn’t an issue for us.
The booklet contains information about what I believe is an intellectually challenged independent candidate, who says he’ll “Keep your Car”, on top of the usual party candidates.
It made me think we could maybe have invested £5000 in sending the party case to everyone in Greater Manchester?
If a right wing business man with £5000 and a car can do it, why can’t we?
Paula
I’m very much enjoying this thread, my contribution is in honour of Bob Marley. A genuinely great man. It was a shock he died so young [not posting as a moderator]
Enjoy this, if you can friends https://youtu.be/E3wISftyEAE?si=s_kcUNfbuxYrmWFg
I would put this in the musical anti-war category and therefore deserving of a post on our forum (personal capacity)
