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When a left-wing friend stood for election in my union, he had massive support. His opponent had none. On the day of the election, the right-wing branch said there’s an allegation of corruption against him. No details were given, but “we must suspend the election for a month”.
There was no way to fight this. An allegation was made, so the process had to be followed.
But the allegation was never investigated: it was just forgotten. The next month was used to suddenly *flood* the branch with new members and to wear down his support.
But the allegation was never investigated: it was just forgotten. The next month was used to suddenly *flood* the branch with new members and to wear down his support.
The vote was therefore tied - and the branch chair cast their vote against my friend. It took another year to fight for that position. He then absolutely smashed the right - his supporters were so outraged, they came out in even greater numbers to ensure that he was elected.
This was one rep in one workplace in one branch in one union. But the entire labour movement, and the Labour Party, is filled with this stuff - the right knows how to work around the rules and knows which rules to break.
They demand that the left adheres to every single rule.
They demand that the left adheres to every single rule.
The right has no wider goal than “keep control”, so it can spend its time doing this. The left spends its time doing stuff & so doesn’t get as involved with the rules.
This "stay & fight” talk ignores the fact that your entire political life will be taken up just with this stuff
This "stay & fight” talk ignores the fact that your entire political life will be taken up just with this stuff
You will be ground down until all your energy is gone. My friend spent 3 months solidly organising just for this one election.
That’s what any Labour member faces if they want to change the culture in Labour.
Maybe it’s worth it, maybe it isn’t.
That’s what any Labour member faces if they want to change the culture in Labour.
Maybe it’s worth it, maybe it isn’t.
But ask yourself: if even in the best circumstances (Momentum, hundreds of thousands of new members, brand new organising forms etc) the left couldn’t even organise to force reselections of terrible MPs, how much harder is it gonna be now Labour has a weak right-wing leader
who won’t even demand answers about PPE from the govt, a front bench that has no passion or programme, and a party machine that is salivating at the prospect of purging the rest of the left?
I said yesterday that if you want people to stay and fight, come up with a plan that calls for more than just “keep paying subs”.
Show us how you are gonna help make the fundamental changes necessary. Or at least show us that you know that a plan needs to be constructed.
Show us how you are gonna help make the fundamental changes necessary. Or at least show us that you know that a plan needs to be constructed.
