Date: Fri, 24 Nov 1995 14:39:48 GMT
From: Steve Wallis <S.Wallis-AT-mmu.ac.uk>
Subject: Re: Socialist Labour Party


I wrote:

>However, there are many constituencies where the Tories (and Lib Dems) 
don't
>stand a chance of getting in.  The SLP could get sizable support in 
such
>constituencies, as Militant Labour has demonstrated by standing 
independently.

Carlos replied:

        I have the question.  Even in the case that an electoral 
        intervention cost the Labor Party to lose the elections
        What's the problem?  If it is so to the right as to no
        warrant entryism for the Marxist ....???>

Steve (me) replies:

I think that the objective situation would be better after a Labour
victory; the end of 16 years of Tory rule would give workers more
confidence to fight back.  Anyway, I doubt that enough workers would
vote for the SLP in "marginal" seats (if it decides to stand in them)
to make much difference to the outcome - and if the Tories won by one
or two seats, then they would soon go after the odd by-election...


I wrote:

>Adam suggests that Militant should have merged with the SWP in the 
mid-80s.
>In my opinion, there were and still are too many differences between 
us in
>terms of strategy and tactics (let alone theoretical differences) for 
a
>merged organisation to function effectively - it would probably have 
turned
>into a huge faction fight and a split at a later date.

Carlos Replied:

        I raised the question before of a unity between SWP and         
        Militant and I received a NO answer from both Militant and
        SWP members in another group..  Now, the question is for
        Militant, not about the 80s, but about now.  If they
        are willing to make entryism in the SLP, why not propose
        a join work in the SLP with the SWP?

Steve (me) replies:

The Militant Labour member was me.  I think I did mention that if a new
workers' party was formed to the left of Labour that it would present an
opportunity for unity between Militant Labour and other left groups.
We call on all socialists to get involved in building the SLP, which by
implication includes members of the SWP.  [And I'd expect many of them to
get involved when the SLP takes off, whatever their leadership decides.]


I wrote:

>Mergers should be on
>a principled basis of agreement on the important issues.
>
>He seems to merely look at things numerically.  The SWP may have 
gained more
>recruits in the short term (with their sectarian tactics alienating 
most
>of the left) but they will never build a mass revolutionary party 
capable of
>transforming society using such tactics.  On the other hand, such a 
party
>could well be built out of the Socialist Labour Party, and Militant 
Labour
>will try to ensure that this happens.

Carlos Replied:

        Are you merging with the SLP on principples?

Steve (me) replies:

Militant Labour will not be merging with the SLP (which would imply giving
up our own identity), but our members will work within it - and Militant Labour
will affiliate to it if the rules of the SLP allow.


I agree with the rest of your points...

Steve.

               ++++ stop the execution of Mumia Abu-Jamal ++++
       ++++ if you agree copy these 3 sentences in your own sig ++++
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   /----------+ Centre for Policy Modelling,         Email: S.Wallis-AT-mmu.ac.uk
   \/\  Steve | Manchester Metropolitan University,    Tel: (+44) 161 247 3884
\    / Wallis | Aytoun Building, Aytoun St.,           Fax: (+44) 161 247 6802
 \/\/---------+ Manchester M1 3GH, UK.        http://www.fmb.mmu.ac.uk/~stevew


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