A paper of Marxist polemic and Marxist unity

Labour 2019 conference: n Letters and debate n Union block votes victories for Corbyn, n Clause four mixed results for left n John Humphrys No 1268 September 26 2019 Towards a Communist Party of the European Union £1/€1.10 Be careful what you celebrate: Supreme Court will be used against a radical Labour government weekly 2 September 26 2019 1268 worker LETTERS

Letters may have been we are likely to drive them further of any Brexit related policy should be The Guardian still carries some good and Irish remain are united by shortened because of into the arms of the far-right. to build a European wide movement stuff such as the Windrush articles recognition of the rights of nations to space. Some names Better to offer the democratic for pro-working-class reform. and the war of attrition against the self-determination.  may have been changed option of another referendum but Sandy McBurney welfare state. However, my wife Republicans should support this time with concrete proposals for Glasgow and I and friends have been saying a ratification referendum which leave and remain. In this Corbyn is for some time that it has been going is quite different to a second Extremism correct. However, I would suggest Banner down the pan, which I naively referendum or the inclusion of a As you are no doubt aware, the ‘anti- three options on the ballot in a single It was I who put up the banner thought might just be the new remain question to reverse the 2016 Semitism’ campaign in the Labour transferable vote system. (1) no-deal at Labour Party conference whose editor and their attempts to become decision. This is a matter of tactics Party is mostly about “expelling the Brexit, (2) a deal negotiated by the removal by police was covered by profitable. There is a lot in the piece and timing. Put simply, there is Trots” so they cannot “raise their Labour government and (3) remain. numerous papers on Monday. Sadly, on the anti-Semitism crap, for which no point in refighting the last war evil standards on the parapets of the If 2 does not transpire we then all failed to note that my banner had Tony Greenstein rightly excoriates and coming up with more or less Labour Party” (quotes are from none have a straight choice between a no- earlier been repeatedly attacked by them regularly, but also on the the same result. It is a dangerous other than the Party’s former Head of deal Brexit and remain. This is the Zionists who slit it from top to toe. wholesale departure of investigative gamble with the unity of the Disputes, Mike Creighton.) most democratic way forward and Each time I repaired it, each time it was journalists. working class. However, you may not be it is the choice that is most likely to ripped apart again. Jimmie Walker Since 2017 three trends have aware that there are even more puncture the bubble of the growth of Eventually a dozen extremists from email been fighting it out - ultra-Leave, worrying attempts to extend this the far-right. the Sussex Friends of Israel and the remain-democrats and ultra-remain. McCarthyite witch hunt by targeting If a Labour government simply Jewish Labour Movement made such Corbyn’s victory Some object to the term ‘remain- almost all anti-capitalist ideas. withdraws article 50 it provides a a furore that the police took the banner Today (September 24) two major democrats’ so we could call them Two pioneers of the ‘anti-Semitism’ platform for the growth of a far-right down, thereby undermining my right Brexit battles came to a head. The the ‘centre’ ground between the two campaign, Daniel Allington and opposition to a Labour government. to freedom of speech. Readers can first was the vote at the Labour Party extreme positions. Nevertheless I David Hirsh, have now had their Of course, it would have been far see the slashed banner at tinyurl.com/ conference won by Corbyn and his still think the political centre is best ‘research’ published by the Home better if the EU referendum had never bannerbanned. allies. The second is the verdict at identified as ‘remain-democrats’ who Office’s ‘Commission for Countering happened. But we are where we are Rabbi Ahron Cohen of the Neturei the Supreme Court that the Crown’s are in favour of remaining but accept Extremism’. In their paper entitled and we need to map a way forward Karta told me that he cannot fathom decision to prorogue parliament was the 2016 result (or some version of ‘Violent extremist tactics and that stops Brexit while removing any any way that it is anti-Semitic. We illegal. it). the ideology of the sectarian far democratic rallying point for the far- are dumbfounded at Corbyn’s tweet Republicans have views on both The centre (remain-democrats) left’, they seek to redefine many right. describing it as such. And he has seen but I will concentrate on Brexit. include a broad range of views leftwing and anti-capitalist ideas I voted remain because I thought the Al-Jazeera documentary on which Corbyn won an important victory from Ken Clarke and Dominic as somehow inherently violent and that Brexit would produce a carnival the banner was based, ‘The Lobby’ at conference which should help Grieve, to Stephen Kinnock and therefore requiring surveillance and of British nationalist reaction. And so (tinyurl.com/thelobbyp1). It shows defeat Tory Brexit and by occupying Lisa Nandy who are on the right- containment. The implications for it has turned out. No one could claim how Israel funds the takedown of the centre ground have more centre. Jeremy Corbyn and Len all left wing activists - including that the present movement for Brexit politicians sympathetic to Palestine. chance to win the next election. As McCuskey stand at the centre of leftist academics - are serious indeed. is a pro-working class movement. I The film’s fairness and accuracy was republicans and socialists we should the centre. Republican exit should The intensity and effectiveness of agree on the need to build a European supported by Ofcom and Corbyn called critically support Corbyn’s battle be located on the left of centre, as the ‘anti-Semitism’ campaign in the wide socialist movement because if for an investigation. So he knows that against the ultra remain position left remain-democrats. Labour Party took us all by surprise. we don’t we are not going to make Israel pumps millions of pounds into of Watson, Thornberry, Blair and In parliamentary terms the We need to be better prepared for any big step forward. To leave under Zionist defamation activities in the UK Starmer etc. important difference is between the extension of this onslaught. the Tories was always going to be a with the sole aim of shutting down any Labour’s position is clear enough Kinnock and his right-centre allies Please publicise this disturbing disaster for working class people. It debate on Israel’s racist treatment of despite the Tories claiming that you (40 MPs) and the Corbyn centre. document as widely as you can. It can sets off a reactionary dynamic which those who are not Jews. have to be a genius to understand it. Kinnock is prepared to support an be found here: is difficult to stop. But stop it we Because, according to the IHRA Vote Labour and if Labour wins there anti-working class Tory Brexit in https://www.gov.uk/government/ must. definition of anti-Semitism adopted will be a new set of negotiations and order to get Brexit done. He may publications/violent-extremist- The idea that it is not possible by most political parties, to say that any deal will be put to the people in back another Theresa May deal tactics-and-the-ideology-of-the- for a leftwing leader to propose Israel is a racist endeavour is now a referendum with a remain option. or a Johnson deal (May Mark 2). sectarian-far-left pro-working class amendments to seen as prejudice against Jews. My Once the deal has been done Labour If Johnson delivers a Tory deal, Chris Knight the treaties underpinning the EU is banner says: “IHRA: tell the NEC how will look at the facts and decide how Kinnock and his Labour allies will London simply wrong. The important point you feel”, because we want Labour it will campaign. line up with the Tories in parliament would be that, for instance, Corbyn members to tell our National Executive Republicans can identify three to deliver victory for Johnson. This Brexit should put forward amendments Committee to abandon the IHRA ways to leave the EU - Tory Brexit, will make Johnson’s victory in the What should Labour policy be or opt-outs that are in favour of the definition they adopted a year ago. Labour Brexit and Republican Exit. subsequent general election more on Brexit? I think the left Brexit working class. An action Corbyn himself objected It is important to draw sharp lines likely, if not certain. position (Lexit) of some (Communist We would be trying to amend to. Labour Party members are now between them. Strictly speaking The Labour conference was the Party of Britain, Socialist Workers the treaties in favour of the working beholden to a definition whereby any ‘Brexit’ means the exit of the battle ground between Corbyn’s Party, Socialist Party Scotland, etc) class, not the UK state. So, for activist criticising Israel becomes an whole of the UK state. By contrast, remain-democrat approach in the is politically bankrupt and has been instance, we would be demanding anti-Semite, a plainly ludicrous claim. republicans support the right of guise of Labour Brexit and a broad shown to be so by the growth and that rules barring state aid to workers’ Most of these accusations come nations to self determination. array of ultra remainers led by dominance of a British nationalist co-ops be removed and competitive from a group within our Party, the JLM, The Tories are determined to Watson, Thornberry, Starmer and the far-right Brexit movement- now led tendering should favour workers’ a Zionist society we are seeking to take the whole UK out of the single Blairites. As conference recognised, by Johnson and Farage. co-ops in any bidding or indeed that disaffiliate from Labour. It was shown market and customs union. This is Watson saw ultra remain’ as a way This project is a coherent far- competitive tendering is abolished in the documentary to be conspiring essential to their plan to impose a of undermining Corbyn and making right project which aims to link up entirely in key industries. This could with Israeli agents to attack Corbyn new and more hostile immigration sure he could not win the election. with Trump and further attack the be in the form of an opt-out for the and others for their pro-Palestine regime on working people and open Fortunately Corbyn carried the day. living standards of the working UK (which would encourage other stance. We at Labour Against Zionist up the NHS and the UK domestic Had the ultras’ remain succeeded class. A working-class exit from workers in Europe to follow suit) or Islamophobic Racism (LAZIR) see market to US corporate raiders and in defeating Corbyn’s Labour Brexit the EU would be very different a proposed amendment to the treaties Zionism as racism and want to end trade deals and to keep the City of it would have liberated the Kinnock from the Brexit movement we now which would apply across the EU. their influence. London beyond EU regulation. There group to back a Tory Brexit, like the face. It would be part of a European There are many other pro- Our party stands for fairness, was no mandate for any of this. May Deal, if Johnson can find one. The wide fightback by the left against working-class reforms that could be equality and social justice. The JLM A Labour Brexit was promised in consequence of an ultra-remain victory nationalism, militarism and austerity. advanced by Corbyn while attempting shares none of these values when it the 2017 manifesto. In 2018 Labour at the conference would therefore That is some way off in the future to negotiate a new pro-working class comes to Palestine. conference added a ratification increase the likelihood that the UK and we have to lay the grounds for ‘Brexit’ which maintained a customs Pete Gregson referendum. This should keep the UK would leave the EU on October 31. such a movement now by attempting union and the single market but with Chairperson LAZIR in the single market and the customs Corbyn’s victory has cut down to link up socialists on a European pro-working-class reforms in place. Edinburgh union, both on democratic grounds or reduced the likelihood of the scale. The Corbyn movement should Free movement would need to and because it is in the best interests Kinnock group of MPs being able to use its strength to initiate and support be fiercely defended. It is unlikely Down the pan of the working class to oppose Tory betray the working class in the name such a project. Socialism in one the renegotiations would produce A friend mailed me recently thus: Brexit. Current Labour policy only of the 2016 referendum. It increases country is a fantasy. a result (since the ruling classes of “Do not know if u have seen it yet, speaks of ‘close alignment to the the possibility of Labour winning Should Labour simply call for the the EU will resist pro-working-class but if you Google Daily Maverick single market’. the next general election as the only revoking of article 50 and enter the reforms to the treaties or any pro- guardian security services. It is A republican exit recognises that party that will let the people decide. coming general election with that working class opt-outs). But it would extremely interesting.” England and Wales voted to leave Labour will have a case to appeal to policy - a clear remain position? be a useful propaganda process and So I did. I’d never heard of The and Northern Ireland and Scotland both parts of a divided working class. I think not. It is not a sensible help kick start a European wide Maverick which is based in South voted to remain and therefore The reckless ultra-remainers see policy to simply ignore or disdain movement for pro-working-class Africa. supports a deal which delivers the tactics not as an assessment of the those workers who voted leave. reforms. It is, in my view, a very interesting mandates from the UK’s constituent balance of forces, but an opportunity Many did so in reaction to the last Unless you are of the view that the and important article about The nations. This rejects the imposition for virtue signalling. Look at me, the 40 years of neoliberalism and the role of the labour movement in Britain Guardian, in large part because, as it of a UK exit on Northern Ireland and ‘Peacock of Remainers’ who don’t last ten years of austerity. These is simply to defend the EU status quo says part way through, Scotland. mind if the UK leaves the EU on voters are not hardened British (as do the Labour right, etc) using “Given its appeal to traditional Republicans point out that nobody October 31 as long as we can parade nationalists or racists. They oppose the Brexit crisis to highlight the need Labour supporters, the paper has voted to leave the single market or and preen like Emily Thornbury, the establishment consensus of Blair, and possibility of pro-working-class probably done more to undermine the customs union because it was Tom Watson or Jo Swinson. Brown and Cameron and don’t want reforms throughout Europe seems Corbyn than any other. In particular, not on the ballot paper. Furthermore Republicans in England should a return to the status quo. sensible. its massive coverage of alleged republicanism supports a ratification position themselves in the remain- They are mistaken in believing If Corbyn has the stomach for widespread anti-Semitism in the referendum making government democrat camp or on the centre that Brexit offers a way forward for it is another matter. Given that he Labour Party has helped to disparage more accountable to the people. It ground and to the left of Corbyn workers. The left needs to win them has not been willing to launch a Corbyn more than other smears should be noted that a republican- within the same political space. to support a programme of pro- serious fightback against the Labour carried in the media.” exit for England and Wales is a Republicans should give critical working class reforms. By simply right there has to be serious doubt. There is not a lot of choice republican-remain in Scotland support for Corbyn against ultra- overruling the EU referendum result However, for socialists, the main aim regarding daily newspapers now and and Northern Ireland. English exit leave and ultra-remain whilst BCM Box 928, London WC1N 3XX l 07903 054393 l www.weeklyworker.co.uk l [email protected] weekly worker 1268 September 26 2019 3

criticising Corbyn’s inconsistent democratic stance and the danger of a remain question on the ballot before CONFERENCE London Communist Forum the case has been won and public Sunday September 29, 5pm: Weekly political report from CPGB opinion has shifted significantly. Provisional Central Committee, followed by open discussion and Steve Freeman reading group: study of August Nimtz’s Lenin’s electoral strategy London Watson survives from 1907 to the October Revolution of 1917. This meeting: ‘Conclusion: Applying Lenin’s perspective’ continued. Population Calthorpe Arms, 252 Grays Inn Road, London WC1. John Smithee is very worried Organised by CPGB: www.cpgb.org.uk and for the moment Labour Party Marxists: www.labourpartymarxists.org.uk. about population growth and worries about being mistaken for There was a growing mood of defiance Radical Anthropology Group a follower of Thomas Malthus Tuesday October 1, 6.30pm: Series of talks on social and biological (Letters September 19 2019). But on display amongst CLP delegates, anthropology, Daryll Forde seminar room, Anthropology Building, 14 he goes on to advocate a tax-free Taviton Street, off Gordon Square, London WC1. £500 for voluntary sterilisation and writes William Sarsfield This meeting: ‘The Sleeping Beauty and other tales. Introducing the the abolition of benefits for people science of mythology’, Speakers: Chris Knight and Robin Halpin. with children. I’m sorry John, but Organised by Radical Anthropology Group: this looks to me like restricting the http://radicalanthropologygroup.org. numbers of children of the poor. I do not think Jacob Rees-Mogg Bargain books would be impressed with the offer Saturday September 28, 11am: Book sale, Marx Memorial Library, of £500. 37a Clerkenwell Green, London EC1. Many years ago I saw a retired Organised by Marx Memorial Library: Pakistani interior minister on TV. www.facebook.com/events/483634002384821. He spoke about population control and the attempts at it in Pakistan Trump, Iran and the threat of war Rally, Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester and India, using things like free Saturday September 28, 2pm: M1. No to a US war on Iran! Oppose British government support for condoms and transistor radios for Trump’s military brinkmanship. vasectomy – not forgetting forced Organised by: Greater Manchester Stop the War Coalition: sterilisation which has also been www.facebook.com/events/656911881384890. popular in Germany and the USA among other countries. He said that End austerity now! the only correlation with smaller Sunday September 29, 12 noon: National demonstration - assemble families was female education. Oxford Road, Manchester M1. Protest at the Tory Party conference. George Monbiot in an article a Organised by The People’s Assembly Against Austerity: few years ago said that the carbon www.facebook.com/events/2296340664029112. footprint of the average American was 27 times that of the average Trade union action on climate change African. So, as he wrote, “whose Tuesday October 1, 6.30pm: Public meeting, Unison offices, 19th population needs controlling?”. I floor, McLaren Tower, Queensway, Birmingham B4. Speaker John might have slightly misremembered Sinha, Campaign against Climate Change. the numbers which may also have Organised by Birmingham CaCC trade union committee: slightly changed - but you get the https://birminghamagainstthecuts.wordpress.com/2019/09/23/. picture. Economic crisis in 21st century capitalism John also attacks Jack Conrad Thursday October 3, 7pm: Lecture, Marx Memorial Library, 37a for failing to consider “what effect Clerkenwell Green, London, EC1. Speaker Michael Roberts. Entrance robotics, lasers and artificial £5 (£3). Organised by Marx Memorial Library: intelligence in the advanced www.marx-memorial-library.org.uk/event/231. countries will have on the demand for labour”. Having read Jack’s Fighting racism in Britain today articles and hearing him speak. I’ve Thursday October 3, 7.30pm: Public meeting, Council House, got the impression the capitalist Victoria Square Birmingham B1. Speaker Chris Williamson MP. “demand for labour” is not his most Organised by Birmingham Trade Union Council: btuc.org. pressing concern. Israeli apartheid off campus When we get rid of capitalism Saturday October 5, 11am to Sunday October 6, 5.30pm: Student I’m confident that there will be conference, University of Manchester Students Union, Oxford Road, sufficient jobs for many years Manchester M13. End your university’s links to Israeli apartheid clearing up the mess. We will need through boycott, divestment and sanctions campaigns. Tickets £6 (£0). scientists, industry workers plus Organised by Palestine Solidarity Campaign: those who want to learn and join www.facebook.com/events/697731904011848. in to clear nuclear waste, including old submarines and missiles, toxic Solidarity with Palestine waste, plastic and other wastes that Saturday October 12, 9.30am to 5pm: Trade union conference, we know of as well as those we Resource for London, 356 Holloway Road, London N7. Build on the do not yet know of. We will need solidarity work by trade unions in the UK. Registration £15 (£10). people for sustainable agriculture Organised by Palestine Solidarity Campaign: and energy – it will be a long time www.facebook.com/events/2521055371451874. before we have worry about “jobs”. John ends his letter with the plea What is meant by neoliberalism? that “It is time the radical left woke Thursday October 17, 6pm: Study session, Jack Jones House, up and recognised that population 2 Churchill Way, Liverpool L3. growth is a problem.” No John, Tom Watson: cowed Organised by Merseyside Socialist Theory Study Group: capitalism is the problem and the [email protected]. Duke and Duchess of Sussex are eputy Labour leader, Tom Certainly, Watson would have Revolution festival 2019 not part of the solution. Watson, had a conference been judged by his - treacherous, Friday October 25, 5pm to Sunday October 27, 5pm: Annual school. Jim Cook Dto forget. It was bookended mendacious - actions. Had he Student Central, Malet Street, London WC1. Discussions on current Reading by humiliation, with an attempt to spoken and stuck to this script, events, history, philosophy, and economics. Entrance £25 (£10). abolish his job at the beginning and there is no doubt that he would very Organised by Socialist Appeal: Empowerment the prospect of a conference floor quickly have been addressing a near www.facebook.com/events/1919153808189228. In answer to John Smithee I could revolt at the end. His speech would empty conference hall. counter his interpretation of facts have been a memorable display of He was saved from humiliation Responsibility of Intellectuals 50 years on and challenge their implication, how unpopular he is with Labour’s by the ongoing Brexit crisis, the Tuesday October 29, 6.45pm: Book launch, AS forum, U C L Institute but bandying figures back and forth rank and file. Supreme Court judgement and the for Advanced Studies, ground floor, south wing, Gower Street, London rarely, if ever, achieves any change Watson was well aware that left recall of parliament. The agenda for WC1. Marking 50 years since Noam Chomsky’s seminal essay, a panel of opinion. delegates planned to stage a protest the last few days of conference had discussion with dissident intellectuals Milan Rai, Jackie Walker and Even though it might sound as soon as he rose to his feet on to be re-juggled and Watson was off Chris Knight. counterintuitive, for stabilising and September 24 to address conference. the hook. Organised by Radical Anthropology Group: lowering the population forget all He would have faced a mass walk- It seems that, when he began www.facebook.com/events/383703868986246. about population policies and instead out. to realise the scale of the anger Undercover policing and trade unions simply help each and every woman The Jewish Chronicle, reports that he had provoked, Watson became Saturday November 16, 10.15am to 7.30pm: Conference, University bear a child in good health, whenever Watson intended to use his speech markedly less eager to face of Greenwich, Stephen Lawrence Building, Park Row, London SE10. she herself chooses to have a baby. to launch yet more foul smears on delegates. Friendly journalists The political policing of trade unions and progressive movements. Ending population growth Corbyn and the left of the party, confirmed to us that Watson was Registration free. starts by saving the children of the He “planned to attack the leader’s well aware of the reception he Organised by Police Spies Out of Lives: poorest women. Giving women insistence he was challenging anti- was going to receive. He was www.facebook.com/events/474999329994353. control of both their lives and Jewish racism in his party”. “In my “furious” about it, they told us, their bodies is what will control speech”, says Watson, “I was going and he made it clear that there CPGB wills population growth. The best family to say that it is not just about being was “no fucking way” he was Remember the CPGB and keep the struggle going. Put our party’s name planning and contraceptive is the anti-racist, even if you mean it … it’s going to speak. Labour insiders and address, together with the amount you wish to leave, in your will. empowerment of women. actually doing something about it. were “gleefully” tweeting news of If you need further help, do not hesitate to contact us. Alan Johnstone You will be judged on your actions” Watson’s profound discomfort to Socialist Party of Great Britain (September 25). all and sundry. l weekly 4 September 26 2019 1268 worker CONFERENCE Politics of the past, politics of the future Bill Hodgson of Labour Party Marxists reports that, although in terms of numbers the right was hardly in evidence at conference, there were big clashes and latent possibilities

rankly, this year’s conference it was correct to support the rule was rather shambolic - with change that would have reinstated the F debates frequently overrunning old Fabian 1918 clause four, striking a time and constant arguments over blow against the Blairite right. procedure, making delegates feel The NEC, however, sensing that even more frustrated than normal. The this might well have gotten a majority, chairing was particularly poor, if not suggested to set up a ‘working group’ downright amateurish at times. All instead - a recipe to kick the issue this highlighted, yet again, the gaping into the long grass, of course. Jim democratic deficit at conference and Kennedy, chair of the Organisation in the party as a whole. Committee, told the movers: “Rest For instance, in the Saturday assured, your voices will be heard” - ‘debate’ on rule changes to the while telling delegates to vote against. constitution, the chair raced through The rule change was supported by a the 27 proposals and farcically slim majority of CLP delegates (56%), delegates only got to see the NEC’s but as over 99% of affiliates (union and seven proposals on that very morning socialist societies) voted against, the as part of the 225-page review of the constitutional amendment fell. Conference Arrangements Committee report. Unless you were a speed Abolished? reader or Commander Data then Naturally, Marxists are opposed to there was no chance of knowing what private fee-paying education - instead the hell was happening. Effectively fighting for genuine comprehensive disenfranchising you. education that unlocks human The main issues that dominated potential and creates well-rounded conference were Tom Watson’s individuals. But under capitalism it is political future, Brexit, clause four a profound mistake to equate that with and education. Making Brighton universal state education, a sausage buzz was the attempted assassination factory obsessed with competitive of Tom Watson by Momentum’s exams, which ultimately is just owner-cum-dictator, Jon Lansman, another form of oppression. Let’s face submitting a motion on September it, most find school a pretty miserable 20 to the National Executive experience. Committee to abolish the post of In the run up to conference, the deputy leader. To state the obvious, mainstream media made a big fuss one assumes he must have consulted about a supposed proposal to “abolish Jeremy Corbyn’s office. However, independent schools” - the ‘politics of thanks to Claudia Webbe turning envy’ indeed. It was widely reported up 10 minutes late, Lansman’s gun that John McDonnell was fully behind misfired. Wendy Nicholls had to the motion, which was successfully rule that the motion did not have passed at conference. Alas, it was the required two-thirds majority. not as radical a demand as it might The vote was 17:10. With Webbe sound - though LPM cannot claim to it would have been 18:10. Jeremy be surprised. Corbyn, Gandhi-like as usual, The main motion on the subject intervened in the spirit of ‘party Most unions supported Corbyn - about half of CLP delegates supported what they think Corbyn (proposed initially by three CLPs: unity’ and proposed a ‘review’. Tom really thinks Battersea, Bolton and Southport) Watson lives on as deputy leader - was headed “Labour Against Private for the moment. ‘neutral’ stance in any post-election least you get a vote. any “discussion” or “consultation” Schools”, which is also the name As for Brexit it took a dramatic referendum - or ‘creative’ ambiguity’, After the usual bureaucratic with the membership. If there were of a campaigning group - correctly new turn on September 24 when the as it used to be called. haggling into the early hours, two a prize for hypocrisy, Lansman pointing out the gross inequality 11-member Supreme Court floored To that end, on Sunday night motions were presented to conference, would win it hands down, given his and privilege that emanates from almost everybody by unanimously the NEC backed by 16 votes to 10 a along with the NEC statement. dictatorial running of Momentum institutions such as Eton and Harrow. ruling that Boris Johnson’s decision motion tabled by Corbyn saying a Composite 13 said Labour “must and participation in the witch-hunt. For example, while only around 7% to prorogue parliament was Labour government would negotiate reflect the overwhelming view of its Welcome to the politics of Brexitland. of children attend private schools, “unlawful, void and of no effect”. a “sensible” leave deal with the members and voters” who want to stay In the end, for all the hoopla about something like 50% of judges, One consequence of parliament’s European Union and within six in the EU - therefore the party will a Unison revolt against the Labour government ministers and university return was that Jeremy Corbyn had months would put it before the people “campaign energetically” for remain leadership, both the NEC statement vice-chancellors - not to mention to hot-foot it back to Westminster in a referendum alongside the option in that referendum, while “recognising and composite 14 were passed - “news columnists” - were educated - therefore his traditional final-day to remain. But, according to the the rights of those members who want Corbyn loyalism won out. Supporters outside the state sector. The motion speech had to be brought forward a statement, Labour would “only decide” to argue another view”. Alternatively, of composite 13 staged a little protest, added that “The ongoing existence day, taking up the deputy leader’s how to campaign in such a referendum composite 14 endorsed the leadership’s demanding a card vote. But the chair of private schools is incompatible slot. The party offered Watson at a one-day special conference. This approach, although it did not explicitly overruled them, saying the show of with Labour’s pledge to promote the chance to address conference would be held at the end of a three- say the party’s referendum stance hands clearly indicated that the motion social justice” and calls on the party’s the following day, but he turned month period during which Labour should not be decided until after the had been defeated - which, leave aside general election manifesto to include it down - for good reason. In the would try to negotiate its own Brexit special conference - a fudge. the block votes of Unite, GMB, etc, “a commitment to integrate all words of London’s normally dull deal - with Corbyn himself, it seems, Rather, the motion declared, seemed correct. private schools into the state sector” free newspaper, Metro, supporters playing the honest broker carrying out Jeremy Corbyn has made the way Emphasising the absurdity of it all, (my italics). of Labour Party Marxists, Labour whatever the people decide. forward “abundantly clear” by backing the conference vote might not even However, when it comes to the Left Alliance, Labour Against the As is always the case with Brexit, a public vote between a “credible” determine Labour’s position anyway, concrete measures needed to bring Witchhunt and others “were said to for some this statement does not go Brexit and remain - at the same time as party officials sheepishly admit. about such ‘integration’, these have been planning to either boycott anywhere near far enough. Labour seeking “maximum consensus” around The decision on what goes into the are limited to the “withdrawal of the speech altogether, or stage a mass should be the party of ‘remain’ pure policies “for the many, not the few”. manifesto will be taken nearer the charitable status and all other public walk-out when it begins. A speedily and simple like the Liberal Democrats, Again doing his Jesus act, Corbyn said time at a ‘clause five’ meeting, where subsidies and tax privileges”. In fact, produced leaflet by LLA circulated at who are now committed to revoking he would “go along with whatever the NEC, shadow cabinet and union according to the motion, Labour conference also explained that some article 50 if they win the general decision the party comes to”. leaders will agree the text of the will “ensure universities admit the delegates were planning to stay and election. That, of course, is not going Before the conference debate on document. You might even think it was same proportion of private school sing ‘Oh Jeremy Corbyn’ instead” to happen, which means it is the same Brexit, the press was full of stories a waste of time going to conference. students as in the wider population”. (September 24). old ‘remain’ position. attacking Jeremy Corbyn because he Neither the NEC statement nor the In other words, private schools will LPM very much doubts that For others, however, the leadership/ “relies” on the union block vote to motions were worthy of support, as not be abolished - let alone grammar Watson was relishing the prospect, NEC line is an insult to the 17.4 “crush members” who support remain. they remain trapped in the bourgeois schools, which in the words of David especially as his rightwing allies in million who voted to leave the EU, But it was not so straightforward. politics of remain/leave - which Flack from Rayleigh and Wickford the PLP would not have been around offering them a non-choice between Unison voted for the ‘back remain would only be reinforced by another CLP “are the disease that infects our to offer their solidarity - far more ‘remain’ and Brino (‘Brexit in name now’ motion, whilst Momentum’s referendum. The reformist politics of educational system.” interested in resuming their efforts only’), as in reality this “sensible” National Coordinating Group came in remain and the nationalist slogans of Actually, John McDonnell did not to undermine Jeremy Corbyn in the option entails remaining part of the behind the Labour leadership’s ‘delay’ ‘leave’ have split the working class call for abolition - please restrain your House of Commons. customs union and keeping a “close” position. But curiously, it transpired right down the middle. Rather, Labour amazement. In his comment in favour relationship with the single market - that Momentum’s owner did not should be fighting for internationalism of the motion, he pointed out how “our Brexitland not to mention contributing to the EU approve of the NEC statement and and genuine working class politics to society is grotesquely unequal”, some Anyway, at conference the party’s budget, accepting the continuation of called upon delegates to “feel free to challenge capitalism. of which derives from “inequalities contortions over Brexit have become free movement, and so on. As many vote with their conscience”. Proving Clause four, rewritten under Tony in education”. He correctly stated even more extreme. Fairly or Brexiteers point out - with a certain that irony is not dead, Jon Lansman Blair in 1995, carries a totemic status that in public schools “large amounts otherwise, Jeremy Corbyn has been logic - what then is the point of leaving described the NEC statement as a for both the right and left. Therefore, in of money are spent on a privileged widely mocked for advocating a the EU? We might as well stay in - at “travesty”, because there had not been the opinion of Labour Party Marxists, few”, but he did not go beyond what weekly worker 1268 September 26 2019 5

is stated in the motion. In fact there was also another motion proposed by Isle of Wight, UNIONS which called on Labour to “place all private schools into local authority ownership and control”, but this is part of a much broader set of policies dealing with education as a whole - Democratise the block vote including, for instance, the abolition of “academies, academy trusts and David Shearer of Labour Party Marxists reminds us of one of the key tasks we face free schools” - so it does not go into detail on what exactly would happen to private schools once they were under “local authority ownership and control”. Would they still charge fees, for example? Despite this regrettable lack of clarity, it is clear that these motions were supportable - which LPM delegates did, of course. Rousing With a definite spring in his step, Jeremy Corbyn’s - hastily edited - speech to conference on the Tuesday was possibly the best speech he has made in a long time - populist in the best sense of the term. Described as “rousing” by the Guardian, the Labour leader slammed what he called Johnson’s “born-to-rule government of the entitled” - calling upon the prime minister to resign for having “misled the country”. Going on, he attacked Johnson for thinking he “could do whatever he liked just as he always does” - the man “thinks he’s above us all” being “part of an elite that disdains democracy”. Trying to reverse the narrative put out by the ‘revolutionary’ right, Corbyn rightly mocked Boris Johnson’s claim to be anti-establishment as a “shameless bid to turn reality on its head”. In reality, he said, Johnson and the Tories” are “not only on the side of the establishment: they are the establishment”. Johnson and his friends, Corbyn pointed out, can never be on the side of the working class, as “supporting the people might hit them and their super-rich sponsors where it hurts - in their wallets and offshore bank accounts.” Predictably enough, Corbyn used his speech to set out Labour’s stall for government. He announced a new plan to set up a state-backed manufacturer of generic drugs, to bring down the medicines bill for the NHS, and highlighted a string of other policies the party hopes will go Unite delegation votes ... as already agreed down well on the doorstep, including a “green industrial revolution”, free ne thing has become delegates were unconvinced. The whole undemocratic NPF should stood up to express their anger - prescriptions, Crossrail for the north pretty clear at this year’s card vote showed Constituency be abolished). When it came to should the chair not actually be and free personal care for the elderly. O conference: the huge Labour Parties narrowly against education there were several such counting all the hands? “What Jeremy Corbyn also claimed to increase in membership and (52%-48%). By contrast, affiliates proposals, one of which specified is the point of me being here?”, have a “different view of leadership consequent radicalisation sparked (ie, overwhelmingly the unions) that it should be reconsidered on one delegate asked. “Everything from the one people are used to”. by the election of Jeremy Corbyn were 97% in favour. The CLPs and the grounds that it did not contain us CLP delegates are trying to Yes, he believes leaders “should have in 2015 has not found much affiliates have equal weight, of a clear commitment to abolish get through is opposed by the strong principles that people can reflection within the trade unions. course, both accounting for 50% of grammar schools. unions over there!” Encouragingly, trust” - but they “must also listen and This is hardly surprising, of the total vote. Incredibly, none of these there was also discontent within trust others to play their part” because course. Corbyn’s election had little Then there was the card vote on reference-back proposals was put a number of union delegations “there are leaders in every community effect on the bureaucracies’ control ditching the 1995 Blairite version before conference in writing until and comrades argued amongst driving change”. So not Boris Johnson over their unions. Not that things of clause four in favour of the later in the week - delegates had themselves over the wisdom of then. are straightforward or simple. In original (Fabian) version. We have to listen really carefully about voting for a document that did not Corbyn wants a general election, previous years trade union general made clear our criticisms of the what was being proposed. Perhaps include the abolition of grammar of course - but when? He argued secretaries could be relied upon to 1918 wording, but it is self-evident even more incredibly, it was a full schools. that it needs to take place “as soon provide block votes for rightwing that its reinstatement would have three hours later when the chair, So what is the solution? as this government’s threat of a leaders of the Labour Party. Now marked a substantial advance. CLP Andi Fox, put them to a vote - Certainly Labour should remain a disastrous no deal is taken off the those very same general secretaries delegates voted 56% in favour. without even a reminder as to their federal party - indeed in our view table”, as required by the Benn- are relied upon to provide bloc But over 99% of the affiliated contents. Unsurprisingly, there was it should encourage the affiliation Burt legislation that passed into law votes for a malleable left reformist unions and socialist societies voted a lot of confusion in the hall. And, of all working class organisations, before Boris Johnson “illegally” who was made Labour leader against. when the unions overwhelmingly including left groups. But, when closed down parliament. Somewhat against the wishes of the vast It would be stupid, of course, rejected every single reference it comes to bloc votes, it is clear understandably, Corbyn made a bulk of the trade union and labour to describe such divisions as back, this caused a huge ruckus. that they need to be democratised. strong defence of his Brexit stance bureaucracy. Nonetheless, while representing left and right. But, it For the naive, it did indeed General secretaries should not act approved by conference - much to there are various exceptions, that is clear that around half of the CLP look incredibly undemocratic: in as feudal barons. the displeasure, you can guarantee, means doing deals in advance of delegates are prepared to make a vote after vote, a clear majority Not that we favour some sort of Emily Thornberry and Keir conference. stand on what they think Jeremy of hands were raised in favour of of trade union opinion poll to Starmer. That was the case on Saturday Corbyn really thinks. There were a a particular reference back - but ascertain how members feel Talking of Sir Keir Starmer, the September 21 in a series of card number of delegates who are part then the chair ruled that the vote about this, that or some other shadow Brexit secretary, he had votes over proposed rule changes. of the organised left, but compared was, in fact, lost. Why? Because issue. That would be more than a bad conference - throughout it Two in particular stand out. First, with the sea of Corbynistas they in the areas where the union silly. But trade unions could looking as miserable as sin. He there was the vote on the national constituted a small minority. delegates sit, almost all had voted vote as disaggregated blocs, ie, got a frostily indifferent reception executive committee’s proposal On Sunday we had a series of against. The chair explained that according to the convictions of whenever he spoke, which is to “fast-track” expulsions of national policy forum documents. as she knew “certain stakeholders” each delegate. That would make hardly surprising, given that his party members whose behaviour As delegates cannot amend them, hold more votes than the CLP prior agreements problematic. delivery was about as exciting as a is judged to be irredeemably the only option they have is to delegates, she had taken that On the other hand, it would mean speak-your-weight machine on flat unacceptable - without the need propose a ‘referencing back’ into consideration to make her that debates at conference would batteries. Is he the future leader of a for any hearing, for example. of particular sections for the decision. really matter. Arguments might national government? Maybe l Interestingly, a lot of CLP NPF to reconsider (clearly, the Lots of inexperienced delegates change minds l weekly 6 September 26 2019 1268 worker CLAUSE 4 But not in with the old David Sherriff says that, while it was right for delegates in Brighton to vote for the old Fabian clause four, now the task must be to unite around a Marxist alternative lause four - rewritten under … hence their organisation’s chosen Tony Blair in 1995 - carries name (taken from Quintus Fabius, the C a totemic status for partisans Roman general who avoided pitched both of the right and left. But, while it battles with Hannibal’s superior was correct for delegates in Brighton Carthaginian army and instead to support the rule change proposed by pursued a strategy of attrition). Rochford, Southend East, Doncaster No surprise, Marxists have long Central and Wallasey CLPs (which considered Fabianism to be the would have reinstated the old Fabian crassest expression of opportunism. 1918 clause four), we surely need Fredrich Engels heaped particular to be far bolder, far more audacious scorn on this “well-meaning gang of about our vision of the future. educated middle class folk.”5 True, Of course, the National Executive he credited them with enough wit to Committee recommended, and got, realise the “inevitability of the social its rejection. Constituency delegates revolution.” But the Fabians could voted 56% for the old clause four. not possibly entrust this “gigantic task Affiliated organisations - ie, mainly to the raw proletariat alone.” Engels trade unions - voted 99% for the concluded that “[f]ear of revolution is NEC’s promise of a “working group”. their guiding principle.”6 The “working group” is an obvious The real class war was denounced sop to the right. After all, once the by the Fabian ladies and gentlemen. proposal to restore the old clause The underlying contradiction in four actually got on to the agenda, a society, according to them, was not queue of indignant rightwingers lined between labour and capital, but the up to denounce the outrage in the idle rich and the industrious masses bourgeois press: Wes Streeting, Sadiq ... of all classes. Managers and Khan, Alan Johnson, Pat McFadden, entrepreneurs provide an invaluable etc. Their loyalty lies squarely with service to society. As long as they capital, not labour. honestly paid their taxes, fat profits That the Labour Party, under and fat salaries are fully justified. In the leadership of Jeremy Corbyn, other words Fabianism amounted to has only got round to officially nothing more than a form of bourgeois reconsidering clause four in 2019, socialism. testifies to an extreme timidity. Not The Fabian Society was not only giving ammunition to the capitalist elitist. Their leaders were thorough- media. Unity with rightwing going eugenicists too. Friedrich Labour MPs. Every retreat, every Chris Williamson: backing the old Nietzsche provided a warped rotten compromise, every friend inspiration. HG Wells urged the death thrown to the wolves is justified with a record parliamentary majority commitment to socialism.”4 and socialist organisations in the penalty for those suffering from in the name of the ‘next Labour - took just three years. New Labour The Labour4Clause4 campaign commonwealth overseas with a “genetically transferable diseases”. government’. Momentum is a fitting promised a New Britain. Blair told has garnered support from the likes of view to promoting the purposes Defective men, women and children testament. Almost a tombstone. the 1994 Labour conference that Ken Loach, the leftwing film director of the party, and to take common were to be dealt with by the means of Owned by one man, run by one his proposed constitutional reforms and MPs Karen Lee, Dennis Skinner, action for the promotion of a higher a “lethal chamber”.7 man, sclerotic, diminished, wrecked, would be the “biggest programme Ian Mearns, Chris Williamson, standard of social and economic As for the “swarms of black, and it has squandered, smothered, the of change to democracy ever Dan Carden and Ronnie Campbell. life for the working population of brown, and dirty white and yellow enthusiasm of 2015-16. proposed.”2 And much of it happened: Alongside them there are like-minded the respective countries. people” who did not match his criteria Compared with the imperceptible, Good Friday Agreement, Scottish trade union officials such as Steve 7. To cooperate with the labour of intelligence and efficiency: “they snail’s pace of change under Jeremy parliament, Welsh assembly, reform Gillan of the POA, Ian Hodson and and socialist organisations in will have to go”. It is their “portion Corbyn, Tony Blair was a rightwing of House of Lords, Supreme Court, Ronnie Draper of the bakers’ union, other countries and to support the to die out and disappear”.8 With that ‘revolutionary’. Blair “redefined independence of the Bank of England, and Mick Cash and Steve Hedley United Nations and its various noble end in mind Shaw demanded the Labour Party as New Labour”.1 freedom of information act, elected of RMT. When it comes to left agencies and other international that “[e]xtermination must be put on a Riding high in artificially driven mayors, tuition fees, etc. reformism, the best of the bunch. organisations for the promotion scientific basis if it is ever to be carried opinion polls, he presided over a Swept from hither to dither over of peace, the adjustment and out humanely and apologetically as sweeping series of internal ‘reforms’. Brexit, in late August 2019, as a sworn History settlement of international well as thoroughly”.9 Meanwhile, the Conference was gutted. No longer member of the privy council, Corbyn Our February 1918 conference agreed disputes by conciliation or judicial working class was to be lifted out of could it debate issues, vote on policy appealed for an urgent meeting with the a new constitution. Clause four arbitration, the establishment and their ignorance. The more stubborn or embarrass the leadership in front monarch, in the attempt to stop Boris committed the Labour Party to these defence of human rights, and the sections herded into “human sorting of the media. Instead the whole thing Johnson’s prorogation of parliament. aims (as subsequently amended in improvement of the social and houses” to be trained for work. Those became a rubber-stamping exercise. His professed republicanism is clearly 1959): economic standards and conditions who refused would be packed off to Then there were the tightly controlled as platonic as his opposition to Nato of work of the people of the world. semi-penal detention colonies. policy forums, focus groups and the and Trident renewal. Nor has Corbyn 1. To organise and maintain in The Fabians were committed pro- staffing of the party machine with fared much better inside the Labour parliament and in the country a These formulations - crucially the imperialists too. According to their eager young careerists (most on Party. Not only has he given way over political Labour Party. fourth - are too often celebrated as Fabianism and empire (1900) tract, temporary contracts). Blair asserted clause four. He has not even managed 2. To cooperate with the general being a defining socialist moment. Britain needed to get its fair share himself over the national executive to oust Tom Watson. Nor have the council of the Trades Union Yet, when first mooted in November of the spoils from the division of the committee too, considerably reducing trigger ballots swept clean the ranks Congress, or other kindred 1917 - amidst the slaughter of inter- world: its effectiveness. of the Parliamentary Labour Party. organisations, in joint political or imperialist war - Sidney Webb, By sacrificing the old clause four Nonetheless, the NEC’s “working other action in harmony with the Fabian guru, social climber and its The partition of the greater part in the full glare of publicity, Blair, group” does allow Labour members party constitution and standing principle author - had no thought, of the globe among such [great] and his New Labour clique, made the and affiliates to debate the flaws of the orders. no wish, no intention of promoting powers is, as a matter of fact that ultimate gesture to the establishment, 1918 and 1995 versions and compare 3. To give effect as far as possible genuine socialism. Parliament, the must be faced, approvingly or the City, the CBI, the global them with various alternatives. to the principles from time to time courts, enlightened civil servants and deploringly, now only a question of plutocracy, the US hegemon, etc. Excellent, we shall certainly make the approved by the party conference. the liberal intelligentsia provided his time; and whether England [sic] is Capitalism will be absolutely safe in case for a Marxist clause four. 4. To secure for the workers by road to a ‘collectivist’ British empire. to be the centre and nucleus of one our hands. A New Labour government Strangely, the moving spirit behind hand or by brain the full fruits Webb wanted an imperial government of those great powers of the future, can be relied upon to not even pay lip the restoration of the old clause of their industry and the most of high minded experts whose or to be cast off by its colonies, service to a British version of state four is Socialist Appeal, the British equitable distribution thereof that decisions would be no more than ousted from its provinces, and capitalism. Leftwingers such as Tony section of the International Marxist may be possible upon the basis ratified in elections: even referendums reduced to its old island status, will Benn, Dennis Skinner, Diane Abbott Tendency. Increasingly known as of the common ownership of the were ruled out as impeding the will of depend on the ability with which and Ken Livingstone protested, trade the International Fabian Tendency. means of production, distribution the educated elite. the empire is governed as a whole, union leaders grumbled. Nonetheless, That is the minority faction of the old and exchange, and the best Top leaders of the Fabian Society and the freedom of its governments the April 1995 special conference Militant organisation which refused obtainable system of popular - eg, Sidney and Beatrice Webb, and its officials from complicity in voted by 65% in favour of Blair’s to go along with Peter Taaffe’s administration and control of each Edward R Pease, Annie Besant, private financial interests and from clause four. 1991 ‘open turn’. Socialist Appeal industry or service. Sydney Olivier, HG Wells and George the passions of the newspaper And, whereas Corbyn makes remained committed to deep Labour 5. Generally to promote the Bernard Shaw - fancied themselves as correspondents who describe our do with plodding old Brezhnevite Party entry work (apart from its brief political, social and economic social engineers of the highest order, enemies as ‘beasts.’10 advisors, Blair had the high priest of infatuation with left nationalism and emancipation of the people, and intellectual superstars, heralds of a spin, Peter Mandelson. The tabloid a busted flush Scottish Socialist Party more particularly of those who glittering technocratic future. The Fabian socialism values politeness press were ingratiated if they could in 20143). Anyhow, fully in the spirit depend directly upon their own role of these ever so clever people and good manners on all occasions, be made into allies, neutralised where of Ted Grant, their founder-leader, exertions by hand or by brain for was to carefully, slowly, patiently, even in the midst of an imperialist they could not. Blair’s journey from Socialist Appeal’s Rob Sewell writes the means of life. courteously persuade the great and war of conquest. Over the years opposition leader to prime minister - of the need to “restore Labour’s 6. To cooperate with the labour the good of the benefits of ‘socialism’ 1899-1902, as good patriots, the weekly worker 1268 September 26 2019 7

Fabians backed Britain’s war against of production? What about those celebration of May Day, the community in which power, wealth reformist, albeit a left reformist with a the Boer republics: the “native races” unable to work? More than that, Marx considerable influence of the socialist and opportunity are in the hands of past commitment to workers involved must be “protected despotically by the explained these and other such woolly press, the increased size of trade union the many not the few; where the rights in economic struggles, campaigners empire or abandoned to slavery and formulations as unneeded concessions membership, the formation of the shop we enjoy reflect the duties we owe for democratic rights and liberation extermination.”11 to the followers of Ferdinand Lassalle. stewards movement and the election and where we live together freely, in movements in the so-called third The British empire was portrayed The latter’s Workers’ programme of a growing body of Labour MPs. a spirit of solidarity, tolerance and world. Meanwhile, the bulk of as an unintended bringer of democracy (1862) called for “an equal right to Then there was state intervention and respect.” Then we have similarly councillors, regional officials, MPs, to the white dominions and a saviour the undiminished proceeds of labour”. regulation of the economy. Capitalism vacuous formulations about (IV.2a) AMs, MEPs, etc, remain hard right. of the ‘lower breeds’ (shades of the Obviously Webb wanted to give clause was widely considered abhorrent, “a dynamic economy”, in which However, the rank and file, the mass Alliance for Workers’ Liberty). The four a distinct Lassallean coloration. outmoded and doomed. Socialism “the public interest, in which the individual membership, the affiliated best interests of ‘black, brown and Not out of admiration for Lassalle, more and more became the common enterprise of the market and the membership are ever more receptive yellow’ peoples lies in being ruled but because he wanted to distance the sense of the organised working class. rigour of competition are joined with to the ideas of Marxism. over by young men fresh out from Labour Party from Marxism. By contrast, Fabian the forces of partnership and co- Hence the increasing popularity of Britain’s public schools. Under their That so-called modernday socialism meant arguing against operation to produce the wealth the this, Marxist, version of clause four guiding hand they would eventually disciples of Leon Trotsky want to unconstitutional methods, slowly nation needs and the opportunity for championed by LPM: be led to “adulthood.”12 embrace Fabianism testifies to a expanding the provision of social all to work and prosper with a thriving 1. Labour is the federal party of the Interestingly, as an aside, the terrible degeneration. Where Trotsky welfare and persuading all classes of private sector and high-quality public working class. We strive to bring all Fabians thought that the South African dismissed “stubborn and haughty the benefits that would come to the services.” (IV.2b) a “just society”, trade unions, cooperatives, socialist war demonstrated the “superiority of a Fabian narrow-mindedness”, Socialist nation, if the commanding heights (IV.2c) an “open democracy”, (IV. societies and leftwing groups and militia” system over the professional Appeal adopts that very “stubborn and of the economy were put in state 2c) a “healthy environment” follows parties under our banner. We believe army.13 An idea that the timorous haughty Fabian narrow-mindedness.”16 hands. In other words, the Fabians as does (IV.3) “Labour is committed that unity brings strength. left refuses even to contemplate But then the political method of consciously sought to ameliorate the to the defence and security of the 2. Labour is committed to replacing nowadays. Socialist Appeal has always been a mounting contradictions between British people and to co-operating the rule of capital with the rule Naturally, come the 1914-18 great chameleon-like adaptation to their labour and capital … and thus put off in European institutions, the United of the working class. Socialism war, the Fabians did their best to serve surroundings. socialism. Rightly, Lenin denounced Nations, the Commonwealth and introduces a democratically planned the imperial cause. Europe had to be Fabianism as the “most consummate other international bodies to secure economy, ends the ecologically saved from the Junkers and Prussian Red ribbon expression of opportunism.”19 And, peace, freedom, democracy, economic ruinous cycle of production for militarism. However, as the war Almost needless to say, clause four needless to say, the years 1918-20 security and environmental protection the sake of production and moves dragged on and the corpses piled up, was mainly for show. A red ribbon witnessed colonial uprisings abroad for all.” towards a stateless, classless, any initial popular enthusiasm turned tied around what was Labourism’s and a massive strike wave at home. Note, the Labour4Clause4 moneyless society that embodies into discontent. The February 1917 standing programme of social Revealingly, before 1918, attempts campaign merely proposes to replace the principle, “From each according revolution in Russia galvanised the liberalism. In parliament Labour to commit the Labour Party to IV.2a. All the other Blairite shit to their abilities, to each according hopes of many. Workers, including supported Liberal governments and socialism met with mixed success. The remains. Hence, Labour4Clause4 to their needs”. Alone such benign those in the munitions industry, their palliative measures of social 1900 founding conference rejected leaves unchallenged the European conditions create the possibility of took strike action. Demands for a reform. Because of its alliance with the “class war” ultimatum tabled by Court of Human Rights, the UN, the every individual fully realising their negotiated peace grew and amongst the Liberal Party, the party even found the Social Democratic Federation.20 Commonwealth (and by implication innate potentialities. sections of the ruling few there were itself divided over the abolition of Despite that, conference voted to Nato). There are also the historically 3. Towards that end Labour commits serious worries that Britain stood on the House of Lords and the fight for support the “socialisation of the entrenched, labyrinthine, restrictions, itself to achieving a democratic the edge of revolution. Reports came female suffrage. While a minority - means of production, distribution and disciplinary offences and countless republic. The standing army, the of mutinies in army base camps and eg, George Lansbury and Keir Hardie exchange”. The next year a socialistic other bureaucratic command and monarchy, the House of Lords and the killing of military policemen. June - defended the suffragettes and their motion moved by Bruce Glasier was control mechanisms. That explains the state sponsorship of the Church 1917 saw a big labour movement militant tactics, the majority craved defeated. In 1903 another socialistic why real Marxists, not fake Marxists, of England must go. We support conference in Leeds. Famously respectability. As Ramsay MacDonald motion fell, this time without debate. have never laid out plans about a single-chamber parliament, delegates called for a national network wrote: “The violent methods … are Two years later conference passed a “how to reclaim the Labour Party”.23 proportional representation and of Workers’ and Soldiers’ Soviets on wrong, and in their nature reactionary motion with the exact same wording. Fighting to “reclaim Labour” from annual elections. the model of Russia. Then came the and anti-social, quite irrespective of In 1907 the previous endorsement the pro-capitalist right.24 Etc, etc. 4. Labour seeks to win the active October Revolution which shook vote or no vote.”17 of socialism was overturned at the Labour has never been ours in the backing of the majority of people and the whole capitalist world to its very Yet, even if it had been put into prompting of … Bruce Glasier. The sense of being a “political weapon forming a government on this basis. foundations. Bourgeois politicians effect, clause four socialism remains same conference agreed to set the goal for the workers’ movement”. No, 5. We shall work with others, in rushed to make concessions. Hence, antithetical to working class self- of “socialising the means of production, despite the electoral base and trade particular in the European Union, Sidney Webb and the drafting of liberation. Capitalism without distribution and exchange”.21 union affiliations, from the beginning in pursuit of the aim of replacing clause four. capitalists does not count amongst The explanation for the seesawing Labour has been dominated by career capitalism with working class rule By cynical calculation he had three our goals. Railways, mines, land, doubtless lies with electoral politicians, trade union bureaucrats and socialism l goals in mind. electricity, etc, would pass into the calculation. While most in the party and party functionaries: a distinct Firstly, his clause four socialism hands of the British empire state. leadership considered themselves social stratum, which, no matter Notes could be used to divert the Capitalist owners might well be socialists of a kind, they were mortally how left it might talk, serves, not the 1. T Blair A journey London 2011, p1. 2. Quoted in JE Alt ‘The constitutional revolution considerable rank-and-file sympathy bought out - eased into a comfortable afraid of losing out in the polls. What interests of the working class, but the of Tony Blair’ in T Cassey (ed) The Blair legacy: that existed for the Russian Revolution retirement. But, as they vacate the appeared acceptable to likely voters - continuation of capitalist exploitation. politics, policy, governance, and foreign affairs into safe, peaceful and exclusively field of production, a new class in other words, the popular press - set Lenin can be usefully brought Basingstoke 2009, p219. constitutional channels. Not that that of state-appointed managers and their limits. So, instead of fearlessly into the argument here. Speaking in 3. IMT Scotland ‘Scotland needs a revolution’ October 27 2014. stopped prime minister David Lloyd supervisors enters the fray. In terms presenting a bold socialist vision the context of the need for the newly 4. labour4clause4.com/2018/02/26/need-bold- George from declaring, in his closing of the division of labour, they and building support on that basis, formed Communist Party of Great socialist-programme/. speech of the 1918 general election substitute for the capitalists. The Sidney Webb, Arthur Henderson, Britain to affiliate to the Labour Party, 5. K Marx and F Engels CW Vol 48, London 2001, campaign, that the “Labour Party mass of the population, meanwhile, Ramsay MacDonald and co, chased he said this: p449. is being run by the extreme pacifist remain exploited wage-slaves. They the vagaries of popularity. With the 6. K Marx and F Engels CW Vol 50, New York 14 2004, p83. Bolshevik group”. would be subject to same hierarchal growth of militancy and radicalism, ... whether or not a party is really 7. D Stone Breeding superman Liverpool 2002, Secondly, by adopting clause chain of command, the same lack socialist declarations were considered a political party of the workers p115. four socialism, the Labour Party of control, the same mind-numbing a sure way of adding to Labour’s does not depend solely upon a 8. HG Wells Anticipations of the reaction of 22 mechanical and scientific progress upon human could both distinguish itself from routine. ranks in parliament. Forming a membership of workers, but also life and scientific thought London 1902, p317. See the exhausted, divided and rapidly Marxism, by contrast, is based on government being both a means and upon the men that lead it, and - https://www.gutenberg.org/files/19229/19229- declining Liberal Party and please an altogether different perspective. If an end in itself. the content of its actions and its h/19229-h.htm. the trade union bureaucracy. Since it is to win its freedom the working political tactics. Only this latter 9. GB Shaw quoted in J Carey The intellectuals and the masses London 1992, p63. the 1890s the TUC had been drawing class must overthrow the existing Reclaiming determines whether we really have 10. https://archive.org/stream/ up various wish lists of what ought state. But - and this is crucial - in Nevertheless, the Blairising of clause before us a political party of the fabianismempirem00shawuoft/ to be nationalised: eg, rails, mines, so doing the proletariat “abolishes four in 1995 was hugely symbolic proletariat. fabianismempirem00shawuoft_djvu.txt. electricity, liquor and land. Clause itself as a proletariat, abolishes all - the ground having been laid by Regarded from this - the 11. https://archive.org/stream/ four socialism also usefully went class distinctions and antagonisms, the Eurocommunists and their vile only correct - point of view, the fabianismempirem00shawuoft/ 18 fabianismempirem00shawuoft_djvu.txt. along with the grain of Britain’s abolishes also the state as state”. Marxism Today journal. Socialism Labour Party is a thoroughly 12. G Foote The Labour Party’s political thought wartime experience. There was Capitalist relations of production was declared dead and buried, the bourgeois party, because, although London 1985, p29-30. steadily expanding state intervention and the whole bureaucratic state working class a shrinking minority. made up of workers, it is led by 13. AM McBriar Fabian socialism and English politics: 1884-1918, Cambridge 1962, p130. in the economy. Nationalisation was, apparatus are swept away. Every Only if Labour accepted capitalism reactionaries, and the worst kind of 14. Quoted in R Miliband Parliamentary as a result, widely identified with sphere of social life sees control and reached out to the middle classes reactionaries at that, who act quite socialism London 1973, p64n. efficiency, modernisation and beating exercised from below. All positions would it have a future. Neil Kinnock, in the spirit of the bourgeoisie. It is 15. K Marx and F Engels CW Vol 24, London the Austro-German foe. It therefore of command are elected or chosen John Smith and finally Tony Blair an organisation of the bourgeoisie, 1989, p83. 16. L Trotsky Writings on Britain Vol 1, London appealed to technocratically minded by lot and are regularly rotated. dragged the party ever further to which exists to systematically dupe 1974, p16. elements amongst the middle classes. Hierarchy is flattened. Alienation the right. Out went the commitment the workers with the aid of the 17. Socialist Review August 1912 - quoted in R Thirdly, clause four socialism is overcome. What is produced and to unilateral nuclear disarmament, British Noskes and Scheidemanns Miliband Parliamentary socialism London 1973, had to be implicitly anti-Marxist. how it is produced radically alters out went the commitment to [the German social chauvinist p25n. Webb well knew the history of the too. Need, not exchange, is the comprehensive education, out went murderers of Rosa Luxemburg and 18. K Marx and F Engels CW Vol 25, London 25 1987, p267. Social Democratic Party in Germany. ruling principle. And alone such an the commitment to full employment, Karl Liebknecht - DS]. 19. VI Lenin CW Vol 21 Moscow 1977, p261. And, of course, Karl Marx savaged association of producers creates the out went the commitment to repeal 20. Though it had two guaranteed seats on the various passages in its Gotha benign conditions which allow for the the Tories’ anti-trade union laws, out Despite all the subsequent changes, LRC’s leading body, the Social Democratic Federation disaffiliated in August 1901. programme (1875), not least those full development of each and every went the commitment to “the common this assessment remains true. Labour 21. See RT McKenzie British political which declared that every worker individual. ownership of the means of production, is still a “bourgeois workers’ party”. parties London 1963, pp465-71. should receive a “fair distribution Doubtless, the old 1918 clause distribution and exchange”. Of course, once Corbyn was formally 22. Labour gained 15 seats in the December 1918 of their proceeds of labour” and four resulted from progressive Needless to say, his clause four is announced leader of the Labour Party, general election, making it the fourth largest party in parliament after Bonar Law’s Tories, Lloyd that “the proceeds of labour belong political developments. Opposition stuffed full of managerial guff and on September 12 2015, things became George’s Coalition Liberals and Sinn Féin. It had a undiminished with equal right to all to the horrors of World War I and classless nonsense. Eg, (IV.1) Labour rather more complex. Labour became total of 57 MPs. members of society”.15 the inspiration provided by the “believes that by the strength of our a chimera. Instead of a twofold 23. R Sewell ‘Reject the blind ally of Contradictory and vacuous, October Revolution has already common endeavour we achieve more contradiction, we have a threefold sectarianism’ - see www.socialist.net/reject-the- blind-alley-of-sectarianism.htm. seethed Marx. What is fair? What been mentioned. But there is also than we achieve alone, so as to create contradiction. Not that Jeremy 24. H Sell ‘For a fighting, democratic Labour about replacement means of the formation of the Socialist for each of us the means to realise Corbyn is a Marxist. Politically, he Party’ Socialism Today April 2018. production? What about the expansion International, the world-wide our true potential and for all of us a is a right moving run-of-the-mill left 25. VI Lenin CW Vol 31, Moscow 1977, pp257-58. weekly 8 September 26 2019 1268 worker WITCH-HUNT Battle far from won While the majority of CLP delegates reject the anti-left smear campaign, the right has the backing of the capitalist media. That, together with a conciliating leadership, gives them the upper hand,writes Peter Manson

LAW’s fringe meeting: given the regrettable necessity of secrecy, well attended

n the words of deputy leader Tom To prevent the meeting being of those by LRC and LAW, plus the This is a contemptible move. It gives of self-destruction. The leadership’s Watson, there is “a battle for sabotaged, the venue had not even book launch that had been cancelled the NEC the right to expel someone adoption of fast-track expulsions will Ithe future of the Labour Party” been advertised! by Waterstones. For example, on without due process if, in its opinion give the green light for a tsunami going on. However, it is not about Some comrades had insisted September 21, almost 100 activists only, their beliefs are “inconsistent” of fresh smears against Labour “factionalism”, as Watson claims, that the attendance would be poor packed into the Rialto - whose with what the party stands for. members, with the prospect - given but the very nature of the party if it were not publicised, but the management and staff had refused to And there are other changes. the low standards of ‘evidence’ itself. organisers had taken note of what be intimidated. For example, until now suspended generally required - of hundreds more It goes without saying that as had happened to other meetings members were able to participate in vexatious allegations. a key part of this battle the right planned earlier in the week and Fast-tracking their branch meetings (“unless the It was only in July that Jennie has weaponised anti-Semitism - in the run-up to conference. Back But conciliation won a victory on the reason for the suspension in part Formby reported on the latest mainly by ludicrously equating in August three Brighton venues very first day of conference, when or in full is their conduct in party figures of individuals accused of anti-Zionism with “hostility to or cancelled an event featuring Chris the NEC’s proposal to “fast-track” meetings”) and were allowed to attend anti-Semitism over the previous six prejudice against Jews”, but also Williamson: the Holiday Inn “had the expulsion of undesirables such as any CLP meetings “to participate months. Of the 1,283 individuals by making numerous allegations of to cancel after two men turned up to ‘anti-Semites’ was carried. in ballots”. This right has now been against which a complaint was made, anti-Semitism that are just totally threaten their staff”, he wrote. The NEC was proposing a series abolished, leading to the political it turned out that only 625 - less than false. Take what happened at the Then on September 23 a book of seven rule changes, including isolation of an accused member. half - were actually Labour members Labour conference on September launch at Waterstones in Brighton on the disciplinary process, but Supposedly, all this is the magic (this says a lot about the people 22. was called off after complaints delegates only got to see them that bullet that will finally put an end to lodging the complaints, in my view). A suspended Labour member, about the “anti-Semitism” of the very morning - in the 225-page report the ‘anti-Semitism’ smear campaign: However, in almost half of those Pete Gregson, had erected a banner, authors - a team of academics, who of the conference arrangements the rule change that will finally 625 cases it was found that there which featured a cartoon by Carlos had produced a study of the current committee! There were 20 other rule appease the right wing both within was no case to answer: no evidence Latuff. This portrayed Binyamin anti-Corbyn campaign entitled Bad changes proposed by CLPs, but the and outside the party and persuade it was uncovered of any breach of Netanyahu piloting a plane marked news for Labour: anti-Semitism, the time allowed for debate was totally to call a halt to its relentless campaign party rules. In 90 of the remaining ‘The Lobby’, firing a “Defamation” party and public belief. insufficient. directed against Corbyn. cases, members were given either a missile and shouting “Anti-Semite!” The organisers of the LAW Nevertheless, it was very Some hope! Take the Jewish warning about possible misconduct at Jeremy Corbyn as he was speaking meeting felt they had no alternative encouraging that a slim majority Labour Movement - the organisation (eg, relating to comments that might about “Palestinian rights”. Various but to rely on word-of-mouth and of CLP delegates (52%) voted representing overt pro-Israeli Zionists be interpreted - or misinterpreted - pro-Zionists not only physically individual emails, etc, to build against the NEC proposals. Sadly, within the party. It complained as anti-Semitic) or - much the same attacked the banner, but actually for its own meeting - and even as the affiliates (overwhelmingly the immediately that it had not been thing - a “reminder of misconduct”. cut it in half - three times (after then the venue was not disclosed unions, but also ‘socialist societies’, sufficiently consulted and the rule During that six-month period just being quickly repaired), before until just before the event started. etc) voted in favour of the proposals, change was totally insufficient. Mike eight people were expelled, three the perpetrators were eventually Nevertheless, the meeting was with no less than 97% in favour, the Katz, the JLM national chair, told were given extended suspensions apprehended. Even though two days packed out, with standing room rule change on party discipline was conference that Labour’s relationship and another four were issued with earlier the police had said they could only. passed. Things were not helped by the with “the Jewish community” warnings. not see anything improper about it, However, despite the spirit and fact that Momentum - on the wrong (defined by whom?) is at “an all- In other words, there is no eventually two officers removed the determination of delegates, the side once again - urged supporters in time low”. The JLM had asked anti-Semitism problem within banner. Incredibly, Jeremy Corbyn right was still on the offensive. its delegate briefings to vote for the for “independence” in relation to Labour - just a tiny minority of the tweeted soon after: “I’m disgusted With Watson still planning to use proposals, because “these changes decisions on accusations of anti- hundreds of thousands of people that this banner was displayed near his deputy leader speech to spread are central to improving the party’s Semitism - in other words, such who have flooded into the party have our … conference centre. We asked lies, with MPs aiding the ongoing disciplinary system”. disciplinary matters should be handed problematic views, and virtually the police to remove it and I’m glad anti-Corbyn campaign, with the So how will the system be over to an outside body. Katz made none of them are activists who attend they did. This kind of anti-Semitic pro-capitalist media acting as ‘improved’? Well, the most important the JLM view absolutely clear: “We meetings. poison has no place whatsoever in chief propagandist, the right to change is on “fast-track expulsions”. don’t trust the NEC to deliver fast- We need to reiterate the truth our society.” Presumably Corbyn free speech is being jeopardised. The NEC has given itself the right to track justice.” about this McCarthyite witch-hunt. had been advised that it was bad PR. Venues booked for events organised arbitrarily expel members holding However, the very next speaker, Comrades like Jackie Walker, Chris If that is true, it is a clear by groups - including the Labour views judged to be irredeemably Duncan Shipley Dalton, affirmed Williamson and Tony Greenstein are capitulation to the witch-hunt. Representation Committee, LAW’s offensive. The key paragraph reads: the view of the majority of CLP simply collateral damage. The specific However, as far as most delegates ‘An evening with Jackie Walker’ delegates: “We believe in natural target is Corbyn and the general aim from Constituency Labour Parties and even Jewish Voice for Labour The NEC and NCC [national justice [but this] is a travesty of is to put the left “back in its box”, as were concerned, there is no need were cancelled and had to be re- constitutional committee] shall not justice. Adopting the IHRA didn’t one despicable rightwing Labour MP to capitulate. This was shown by arranged at the last minute, thanks have regard to the mere holding or solve this crisis and this will not solve put it in a rare moment of candour. the good turnout at the September to the disgusting ‘anti-Semitism’ expression of beliefs and opinions, it either.” Quite right. The comrade, The current tactics of Corbyn and 24 meeting organised by Labour smear campaign. except in any instance inconsistent who is a barrister (and incredibly was his allies will more or less guarantee Against the Witchhunt, where almost Brighton LLA booked, with three with the party’s aims and values, once a Conservative parliamentary their defeat. Appeasement never 200 people gave speakers, including days notice, the Rialto Theatre, for agreed codes of conduct, or candidate), offered to represent any works - your opponents simply grow Ken Livingstone, Jackie Walker and Saturday and Monday, and put on involving prejudice towards victims of this new rule on a pro- stronger l Chris Williamson, standing ovations a packed programme with events any protected characteristic [my bono basis. for their impassioned contributions. around free speech, including some emphasis]. Labour HQ seems set on a path [email protected] weekly worker 1268 September 26 2019 9 BBC

Rightwing bias The party organ of the state Paul Demarty comments on the retirement of John Humphrys from BBC Radio 4’s Today programme

hatever virtues are going.) It is as if Sean Hannity and co is not reliant on advertising to drive of this week’s news cycle, which must Thatcher’s government was supposedly part of political were to start criticising Fox News for revenue from its web operations, somehow be managed, rather than its overtly populist in rhetoric, but the W conservatism, we may safely liberal bias, from the bully pulpit of meaning its content is not disfigured long-term institutional strength. paradoxical result of all this was say that gratitude is not among them. their Fox News primetime shows. by the dreary circuit of flickering There is something a little that the legitimating ideology of the In what was clearly a well-timed The myth of the liberal BBC is a display units, autoplaying movie late-Roman about the squabbling governing class shifted essentially stunt, John Humphrys, one of the variant form of the wider myth of the trailers and chum boxes.) factions of BBC bureaucrats, and from aristocracy to meritocracy, BBC’s more irascible newscasters liberal media. We mentioned Hannity There is also the small matter that their habit of generous payouts to and so the sub-Maoist attack on the and the voice of the Today programme and Fox News, and the United States it is an easy target. Paradoxically, its avoid embarrassment, like handing traditional party of the state served on Radio 4 for many years, followed is the other great instance of this idea very eagerness to appear unbiased Aquitaine to the Visigoths to keep to introduce an even more staid, his retirement with the serialisation in the Anglosphere at least. Though makes things worse, on this point; them off your back (not that it did narcoleptic elite, whose decisions of his memoirs. That the latter were it has dominated US conservatism’s in response to criticism, it flails them any good with Humphrys, any were ostensibly outsourced - from the printed by the Daily Mail ought to sense of grievance since the Reagan in one direction and the other and more than the western empire could passive trading of vast institutional give some idea of how warmly he revolution of the early 1980s, which appears biased to everyone. No better bribe its way to long-term survival). investments to the spuriously metric- feels towards the institution to which brought a greatly expanded role for far- illustration of this exists than the Brexit The difference, of course, is that driven domestic politics of New he owes what little notability he has. right evangelicals in the Republican issue, in fact. Humphrys accuses the the ranks of imperial courtiers were Labour. So the headlines have been dominated mainstream, the present state of total BBC of being managed by remainers, periodically subject to bloody purges Part of this change, in fits and by his accusation that the broadcaster political crisis has brought to power a declaring rather implausibly: “I’m not at times of crisis in the succession. In starts, was the adoption as official has a systematically liberal bias. Some president who openly denounces staid sure the BBC as a whole ever quite the BBC, losing out to a rival means ideology of the anti-racist, anti- additional controversy has attached to traditional media outlets as a bunch of had a real grasp of what was going on having a new and meaningless job sexist bonafides originating in the his rather caustic remarks about the traitors and liars. in Europe, or of what people in this invented for you in upper-middle left (albeit in their most timid and gender pay gap, but the angry liberal Humphrys’s harrumph comes, of country thought about it.” Brexiteers management. Worse things happen at managerialist forms). This is the feminists of Twitter can hardly get course, at a similar - and, if anything, routinely complain that they are sea, let us say. germ of truth in the ‘liberal BBC’ him ‘cancelled’, as the argot has it. more acute - moment of crisis in the rubbished and castigated by biased The timid, bureaucratic BBC of idea: the party of the state has We learn little enough from these British establishment. Understanding interviewers. Meanwhile, remainers our day descends from the different become more ‘liberal’ in this precise scandalous extracts beyond the fact it demands we turn our attention in complain that so much airtime is regime of old-school establishment respect, and the BBC (in spite of its that Humphrys is a Tory blowhard turn to the BBC and to the present given to the Brexit hardcore (there types that governed it until the pretensions to ‘independence’) is the who shares all the little obsessions shape of the political right in Britain. were whole months where one could last 30 years or so. This changed party organ of the party of the state. of his comrades in perpetual outrage. The BBC, for its part, has an be forgiven for thinking that Andrew - most remarkably under the reign The Tory party itself is traditionally This is despite the fact that, as many additional vulnerability for its critics Bridgen was sleeping in the Radio 4 of John Birt, who swept out many positioned as the formally ‘political’ liberals have pointed out, if the BBC in the rightwing press, of whom the store cupboard, so frequently were his of the ‘old boys’ with the broom of wing of that party, but this is not the has such an “institutional liberal bias”, turncoat Humphrys is only the very unhinged hot takes required by Beeb management-consultancy jargon and whole story. In order to actually govern it is amazing that Humphrys survived latest. Castigating CNN, the New editors), even if in the form of ‘hard’ ‘modernisation’ - in lockstep with the in conditions of a wide franchise, the in it for over a half a century - leaving York Times and the like for ‘liberal interviews. wider culture of the establishment, Tories must also organise and attract aside the obvious bias of the former bias’ is strictly a hobby horse for true This in the end is a matter of which too was ‘modernised’. Here the votes of many in the popular young Conservative Nick Robinson believers. There is a clear business the bureaucratic mode of editorial we meet the other strand of our classes. It thus must internalise a and the high-Thatcherite Andrew interest, however, for the British decision-making in the BBC’s news- discussion, the political right. contradiction - the need to serve the Neil, to name only two. The liberal rightwing press to take up cudgels. gathering organisation. This is not The traditional-Tory ideology of interests of a minority class while conspiracy at the heart of the BBC Ten years ago, James Murdoch - then the ‘heroic’ model of editorship patrician prudence and moderation appearing to back the popular classes - the ‘noble liar’, according to the the favourite son of Rupert - delivered exemplified by the trade’s heroes, in the great institutions of national against the elite. Cynical direction of title of a recent book-length jeremiad the MacTaggart lecture as a bracing such as Ben Bradlee of the Washington life was fatally undermined by the popular outrage to other sections of about it from Lord Ashcroft’s vanity attack on the BBC. The existence Post, whereby astonishing and Thatcher regime. Thatcher - not Boris the elite - the liberal media, say, or the publishing operation - has hit on the and endless expansion of a state courageous successes in breaking Johnson, as you might imagine from Brussels bureaucracy - can serve this devious tactic of hiring loads of Tories media organisation was “chilling”; important stories - often at great risk recent hysteria - was the first Tory purpose. for its front-and-centre broadcasting only private enterprise subject to - may be indulged in order to gild the prime minister in post-war history The depth of the present political jobs and paying them vast scads of the discipline of the free market image of the organisation in the long- to deliberately exclude her factional crisis proves that you can only do that cash to berate guests. (Humphrys was could be trusted to defend liberty. term as the quotidian lies of bourgeois opponents from the cabinet. They for so long. The party of the state is in handed £600,000 as a retirement gift The BBC enjoys unfair advantages ‘news’ pile up. The BBC, on the other were not to be trusted. The City big disarray. Where can that lead its party - you could buy a few gold watches - it can just spend its budget without hand, is run by a hypertrophic caste bang brought insurgent pressure to organ except into similar vulnerability with that, and that may not be a bad raising income. (A particular bugbear of overpaid managers, and inasmuch bear on the stuffier boardrooms, and and confusion? l investment if his beloved Brexit is the fact that the BBC, unlike its as they consider the reputation of the civil service was subordinated to goes the way it sometimes looks like competitors in the private media, their corporation, it is in the context government. [email protected] weekly 10 September 26 2019 1268 worker BREXIT Judges, politics and democracy Mike Macnair warns that the Supreme Court decision on prorogation could be used as a precedent to block radical measures by a Labour government full eleven-judge panel of the much imagination to think of Supreme Court of the United circumstances where that sort of A Kingdom on Tuesday ruled ruling might come in handy.12 unanimously that Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s prorogation of parliament was illegal and void.1 Left A storm of controversy has at once At the time of writing, three left broken out. papers have responded to the UKSC Johnson’s initial response has been decision. Solidarity has very little to that he “will respect” the decision, say, merely reciting the basic decision but disagrees with it, and will not be and Johnson’s immediate response. diverted from his plan to leave the EU, They clearly added reference to the with or without a deal, on October 31. decision to their front-page leader He has commented obliquely that at the last minute. For the Morning “Let’s be in no doubt, there are a lot of Star: people who want to frustrate Brexit.”2 Jacob Rees-Mogg characterised the The court’s verdict is a defeat for decision as a “constitutional coup” Johnson. But he is not without (Geoffrey Cox has been frantically options. His immediate response rowing back on this in the Commons from New York struck the Brexit Committee after criticism from combative tone we can expect senior Tories).3 Nigel Farage has from the government. He made similarly commented that “For right no bones about accusing the court or wrong we now have a Supreme of unjustified interference in the Court, Tony Blair set it up. It is a political sphere. political court and it’s made a very Johnson’s narrative has been political judgement.”4 clear for months: he and only he As to what comes next, the will deliver the departure from government has been kite-flying the EU that the people voted for the idea of a new vote for a general in what - as Corbyn was right to election by passing a short act which remind Labour conference today would pro tanto repeal the Fixed Term - remains the biggest democratic Parliaments Act to allow an election to vote in our history.13 resolve the ‘deadlock’.5 The difficulty is that for the opposition parties in What they think is needed is “... a general and the MPs Johnson has relentless focus by Labour and the expelled from the Tory Party, to vote whole movement on forcing and for such a motion would be turkeys winning a general election as soon voting for an early Christmas. as possible.” As we have commented The suggestion has been made before, the demand for an early that the Scottish National Party as general election is now Johnson’s and well as the Democratic Unionists the Tories’ agenda. might come on-side; a poll reported Socialist Worker falls into the in the Express Sept 3 has the SNP same trap. Charlie Kimber writes potentially winning 52 of the 59 Scots that: Westminster seats.6 It is not clear that the arithmetic would work even There needs to be an election so, and the SNP might find that their now—and Labour MPs need to obvious betrayal of the opposition vote for it as soon as parliament to Brexit radically undermined their reassembles. ... polling numbers. Calling it should not depend on the timetable of Brexit, but on the Press overriding need to get the Tories The Telegraph has two-sided out. comment, though slanted overall Johnson’s only card left is to against the decision. Their leader pose as the defender of democracy claims: against elite judges, MPs and the media who ignore 17.4 million For centuries, the UK constitution Leave voters. has been a delicate balance The more an election is delayed of powers shared between in favour of waiting for no-deal to parliament, the courts and the be avoided, the stronger his fake crown represented by government. claims will look. That balance has, with no real The way to deflate Johnson is debate, been peremptorily tipped to take him on at the polls. in favour of the former against the Boris Johnson: against parliament and now the courts Labour should put forward a latter. And yet it is the executive in Brexit that favours working class the form of Boris Johnson which is an interesting exchange between double down, take the advice published a book arguing for reduced people, to highlight the issues trying to carry out the democratic long-standing traditional-rightist of Cummings and continue his judicial intervention in political of austerity, racism and climate will. When they finally get the columnist Peter Oborne and younger campaign against the rule of law matters,11 that he should here support change where the Tories are so chance, the voters will judge who Oxford academic lawyer Richard and against the British tradition the UKSC decision has more force weak. is in the right.7 Ekins.9 Ekins argues that the court of parliamentary sovereignty? than the liberal pro-judicial review has overstepped the line between Or does he learn the lesson of ‘usual suspects’. Kimber does, however, unusually on The comment page has three articles. law and politics, and that control of yesterday’s wise and responsible Lord Finkelstein, a Times this occasion have the advantage of Janet Daley and Philip Johnson run the prorogation should be the job of the court judgment? commentator since 2001, can also see recognising the constitutional issue Johnson line that the Supreme Court ‘political constitution’, not of judicial advantages in the court’s ruling: where the Morning Star missed it: is an undemocratic manoeuvre against review. The Times carries a comment by Brexit and Labour must concede recently retired Supreme Court The area of judicial review and The future can’t be left to judges. a general election now. Barrister, The solution is to remind judges Justice Lord Sumption which directly constitutional judgments is While many may celebrate the journo and blogger Matthew Scott has about the proper limits of judicial opposes Ekins’ argument: expanding, which will bring about court’s verdict, it underlines how a different view: power - and the place to start a debate about the judiciary. It judges are able to reach into highly might be for the next Parliament The objection to judicial would be better, however, if this political decisions. It is now easier Given that the official opposition to restate the Bill of Rights’s intervention in politics is that took place at a cooler moment. to imagine them striking down is now a strange personality cult of prohibition on judicial interference it undermines the democratic And better too if, when it did, radical measures from Labour.14 unrepentant Marxists committed in parliamentary proceedings, and legitimacy of public decision- Conservatives reflected on the to expropriating private property, to strip the court of any jurisdiction making. The court’s judgment, value of the courts limiting In the light of the arguments of conservatives of all kinds should to challenge prorogation. however, is concerned not with the prerogative powers exercised by Matthew Scott and of Lord Finkelstein be profoundly grateful that the political issues of Brexit but with ministers in the name of the queen. this point has considerable weight. Supreme Court has reaffirmed this Oborne, in contrast, argues against the process by which those issues One of the precedents cited limitation on the prime minister’s any such approach: are to be resolved. Its effect is to yesterday was a 1965 ruling Constitution powers.8 reinstate parliament at the heart of that the executive can’t exercise How should we respond to this This morning, as he returns to that process.10 such power in order to deprive judicial decision? There are three The Mail similarly, within an overall Britain to face the music, Boris people of their property without levels: the decision itself and its slant against the decision, has Johnson has a choice. Does he Given that Sumption has recently compensation. It doesn’t require constitutional implications as such; weekly worker 1268 September 26 2019 11 What we fight for n Without organisation the working class is nothing; with the highest form of organisation it is everything. n There exists no real Communist Party today. There are many so-called ‘parties’ on the left. In reality they are confessional sects. Members who disagree with the prescribed ‘line’ are expected to gag themselves in public. Either that or face expulsion. n Communists operate according to the principles of democratic centralism. Through ongoing debate we seek to achieve unity in action and a common world outlook. As long as they support agreed actions, members should have the right to speak openly and form temporary or permanent factions. n Communists oppose all impe- rialist wars and occupations but constantly strive to bring to the fore the fundamental question–ending war is bound up with ending capitalism. n Communists are internationalists. Everywhere we strive for the closest unity and agreement of working class and progressive parties of all countries. The Supreme Court judges will further interfere in politics We oppose every manifestation of national sectionalism. It is an the arguments for the decision and It is therefore more potent than an sufficient. It follows, therefore, House of Lords and govern through internationalist duty to uphold the their constitutional implications; the adjournment or recess, which leaves that the argument that the UKSC democratic decisions - not to vest principle, ‘One state, one party’. immediate political effects of the the session in being and the existing decision is anti-democratic because it old monarchical prerogatives in n decision in its context. business pending. On the other hand, interferes with a government decision government. The working class must be Johnson used the ‘royal because it is a prerogative power, it is rubbish. If anything was anti- On the political background to the organised globally. Without a global prerogative’ to ‘prorogue’ parliament. can be done without parliamentary democratic it was the prorogation. decision and its implications from Communist Party, a Communist The court has decided that he did consent; recesses are done by The arguments for the decision that point of view I can and must be International, the struggle against this for no good reason (paras [58] parliamentary resolution. are a little more complicated. The very brief. The most fundamental capital is weakened and lacks and [61]) and without considering If we ask why the prerogative of traditional understanding was that point is, in fact, made by Lord coordination. parliament’s duties in relation to prorogation exists at all, the answer exercises of the royal prerogative were Sumption: n Communists have no interest Brexit (para [60]), and that Johnson’s is, first, that it is a relic of the old not subject to judicial review. Hence apart from the working class advice to the queen to prorogue was absolute monarchy, which summoned, the cumbersome mechanisms of the Most of our difficulties over the as a whole. They differ only in therefore unlawful and void (para prorogued and dismissed parliaments Bill of Rights 1689 and the Armed past three years have arisen from recognising the importance of [69]). at will. In 1689 parliament introduced Forces and Finance Acts to prevent the misguided attempt to insert a Marxism as a guide to practice. The prerogative is those rights limited controls on prorogation - the long prorogations. The Divisional referendum into a parliamentary That theory is no dogma, but which the queen has by common requirements of annual statutory Court followed this view, arguing system. Leaving the EU requires must be constantly added to and law, as opposed to under acts of authorisation of taxes and the armed that the issue was “not justiciable”, or new laws and political judgments enriched. parliament, and by virtue of being forces, still in existence. Second, alternatively was “political” so that about our future relationships n Capitalism in its ceaseless queen, as opposed to - for example - it was convenient to party and there was no measure against which with the EU. search for profit puts the future property rights. Quite a lot of former prime ministerial government as it the court could judge its correctness. Parliament is the supreme of humanity at risk. Capitalism is prerogative rights have either been developed in the 18th century and The UKSC has responded to these source of law. It is also the only synonymous with war, pollution, abolished, or replaced by statutory after that prorogation and dissolution, arguments by relying on two lines body to which ministers can be exploitation and crisis. As a global provisions under acts of parliament. the calling of elections, should of precedent; the first being (fairly continually accountable, and is system capitalism can only be What remains are a rag-bag set of remain prerogative powers to prevent recent) cases in which proceedings central to our political system. superseded globally. provisions to which for some reason the House of Commons getting out of formally under prerogative have been A referendum can serve none of n The capitalist class will never neither happened. control. judicially reviewed, where they were parliament’s functions ... willingly allow their wealth and ‘Prorogation’ is one of them; it is There is, therefore, no good not too close to the political functions power to be taken away by a to bring the parliamentary session reason for prorogation to exist in of ministers (paras [33] and [35]); There has been a good deal of talk parliamentary vote. to an end (thereby terminating all a democracy, or even in the sort and the second being a much older of ‘coups’ on both sides. But so far bills which are in progress, so that of ‘mixed constitution’ in which line of cases which say that the courts as there has been a coup at all, it n We will use the most militant proposers have to begin again from the government is supposed to be can decide on the existence and limits took place in 2016 when the Tory methods objective circumstances the beginning) without bringing to answerable to parliament. The power of prerogatives. It is in this context leadership contenders and the allow to achieve a federal republic an end the current parliament and of the two houses of parliament that they cite (20th century) cases on Brexiteer press barons claimed that of England, Scotland and Wales, thereby leading to a general election. to adjourn themselves is perfectly expropriations (paras [40] and [41]). the result of a referendum - explicitly a united, federal Ireland and a The difficulty here is that on the legislated as advisory - was binding United States of Europe. one hand, proroguing parliament is on parliament and more democratic n Communists favour industrial core “politics”; and on the other, the than elections. Bonaparte, Hitler, unions. Bureaucracy and class Fighting fund existence and limits of the prerogative Khomeini is the political lineage of compromise must be fought and of emergency expropriation was this argument. It sets up a trap which the trade unions transformed into controversial all the way back we are still in l schools for communism. Worth its weight to the late middle ages, and the n Communists are champions of existence and limits of prerogative Notes the oppressed. Women’s oppression, nother reasonable week for a lot more. He’s worth his weight of prorogation has not previously 1. Available at https://www.supremecourt.uk/ combating racism and chauvinism, Aour fighting fund saw us edge in gold!” That was, of course, an been questioned. The solution the cases/uksc-2019-0192.html. and the struggle for peace and a little closer to our £2,000 target ironic reference to the subject of UKSC adopts is to say that the lack 2. Telegraph Sept 25. ecological sustainability are just for September. A total of £480 the article: Maurizio Cattelan’s of reason for the advice takes the case 3. Guardian politics live Sept 25. ‘ as much working class questions came our way, which took us up artwork, America - the name of his outside the limits of the prerogative 4. Farage grilled by BBC’s Jon Kay over ‘dangerous’ statement on ‘political’ Supreme as pay, trade union rights and to £1,741, with just five days to golden toilet, Of course, comrade of prorogation. Court’ Express Sept 25. demands for high-quality health, go. In other words, we still need Filben couldn’t resist a reference to This is a constitutionally dangerous 5. ‘Live Brexit latest news: Boris Johnson will housing and education. £259 by September 30. Lenin’s famous remark that in the argument, because it implies that attempt to force through General Election for third n Socialism represents victory It was the fact that we received future society “we shall use gold any decision the court finds lacks time, Geoffrey Cox indicates’ Telegraph Sept 25. 6. ‘Election 2019 polls: Scotland will become in the battle for democracy. It is quite a few standing orders that did for the purpose of building public sufficient reasons can be quashed as dominated by SNP in snap election - polls’ the rule of the working class. the trick for us - they amounted to lavatories”. ultra vires (beyond the limits of the Express Sept 3 Socialism is either democratic or, £405 over the last seven days and Anyway, for KF it’s not only power). And this in turn amounts 7. Leader, ‘The electorate will be the final judge’ as with Stalin’s Soviet Union, it thanks in particular go to SK, PM, Harley who’s of such value: the merely to the court disagreeing. Sept 25. 8. ‘Healthy government needs the rule of law’ turns into its opposite. DG and BB. On top of that regular Weekly Worker itself is “worth its That said, courts have routinely Sept 25. donor JS made a bank transfer of weight in gold” too. done this to local government - 9. ‘Bad for democracy and the law... or teaching n Socialism is the first stage £15, while both SC (£30) and DR Well, I’m glad you appreciate famously, for example, in the 1982 Boris Johnson a lesson? Oxford professor of the worldwide transition to (£10) clicked on the PayPal button our paper, comrade, but now we ‘Fares Fair’ case.15 The rule-of-law RICHARD EKINS locks horns with PETER communism–a system which OBORNE over the Supreme Court’s verdict’ Mail knows neither wars, exploitation, on our website. Finally we received could do with a few more readers rhetoric found in the prorogation Online Sept 25. an extra £20 from KF, who added showing their appreciation as well is run-of-the-mill. The background 10. ‘It’s about the process, not the politics’ Times money, classes, states nor nations. that amount to her subscription - an average of £52 a day would do should remind us, as Kimber says, not Sept 25. Communism is general freedom cheque. the trick nicely! l to be too quick to celebrate judicial 11. Trials of the state: law and the decline of and the real beginning of human politics Profile Books (August) 2019. history. By the way, comrade KF was Robbie Rix decisions. 12. ‘This court ruling is a car crash for the Tories’ very impressed by Harley Filben’s But if anything the prerogative Times Sept 25. ‘ The Weekly Worker is licensed by article, ‘A game of thrones’, in last Fill in a standing order form powers used by the prime minister are 13. Editorial: Labour must use a recalled November Publications under a Creative week’s Weekly Worker. In the letter a more acceptable target for judicial Parliament to bring the government down’ Sept 24. Commons Attribution-NonCommercial (back page), donate via our 14. ‘Political chaos in Britain after court 4.0 International Licence: http:// accompanying her cheque she website, or send cheques, review than local government. If we judgement - drive the Tories out now’ Sept 24. creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ writes: “You should feature him payable to Weekly Worker won a Commons majority, we would 15. Bromley LBC v. GLC [1982] WLR 62; Griffith legalcode. ISSN 1351-0150. want to abolish the monarchy and [1982] Cambridge Law Journal pp216-219. No 1268 September 26 2019 Socialists cannot leave US constitution intact Abolish the filibuster The constitution of the United States is designed to thwart democracy, observes Dan Lazare

any people were no doubt states like Wyoming, Montana and the checking the volume control Dakotas, which literally have more Mduring a recent US Democratic cattle than people, to lord it over the presidential debate, when the question teeming masses of California, New of the Senate filibuster came up. This is York and Michigan. To put it in terms an obscure, but deadly, rule that liberals that Engels would have understood, are forever promising to change, but it is as if some obscure principality never do. Elizabeth Warren, vice-chair deep in the Black Forest was allowed of the Senate Democratic caucus, has to hold sway over working class engaged in more than her share of strongholds in Berlin, Hamburg or the double talk, but on this occasion she Ruhr Valley - not just temporarily, but could not have been more forthright: forever. Sanders is on record as saying that We have a Congress that is he is reluctant to let the filibuster beholden to the gun industry. And, go because liberals can use it to unless we’re willing to address block conservatives just as easily that head-on and roll back the as conservatives can use it to block filibuster, we’re not going to get liberals. The fact that Trump favours anything done on guns. I was in abolishing it, he declared last April, the United States Senate when 54 should make people “a little bit senators said let’s do background nervous”.2 But if he thinks he can checks, let’s get rid of assault advance to socialism on the basis weapons, and with 54 senators, of an increasingly untenable status it failed because of the filibuster. quo, he is sorely mistaken. Sooner or Until we attack the systemic later, he will find himself bumping problems, we can’t get gun reform up against constitutional reality - in this country. We’ve got to go either in the primaries or the general straight against the industry, and election (if he gets the nomination, we’ve got to change Congress, so that is, which is not impossible). If it doesn’t just work for the wealthy voters turn against him, it will not and well-connected, so it works for necessarily be because they reject the people. US Senate: grossly undemocratic his politics, but because they see him as fundamentally at odds with Bernie Sanders was also forthright, if the principle that political progress is breaks its shell, and also whether exists in America today - one in a constitutional system deemed to more than a bit muddle-headed. When impossible in the absence of structural in Germany, in addition, it will not which a popularly-elected House be unchangeable. If he gets into his turn came to say if he supported change. Friedrich Engels advanced have to smash the fetters of the of Representatives coexists with the White House - again, far from abolishing the filibuster, he replied: the classic argument in his critique of still semi-absolutist, and moreover grotesquely corrupt and inequitable impossible - he will find himself the German Social Democratic Party’s indescribably confused, political Senate, organised on the basis of trapped by a 230-year-old apparatus No. But what I would support, Erfurt programme in 1891. With its order. equal state representation. California whose raison d’être is to thwart absolutely, is passing major call for proportional representation, thus winds up with the same number democracy rather than advance it. legislation - the gun legislation free higher education for all qualified Overhaul of senators - two - as Wyoming, even A corrupt and cowardly House of the people here are talking about, students, and replacement of a Progress could not be social alone, though its population is nearly 70 Representatives, a Senate in the Medicare for all, climate change standing army with a popular militia, but had to be structural as well. What times greater, while the 54% of the grips of hard rightists like Mitch legislation that saves the planet. the Erfurt programme was actually a was required, Engels went on, was population that lives in just 10 states McConnell, a reactionary Supreme I will not wait for 60 votes [the good deal more radical than anything nothing less than the “reconstitution finds itself outvoted four to one by Court - any of these will be in a number needed to override a Sanders has come up with. But Engels of Germany” - a revolutionary the minority that lives in the other position to torpedo his programme filibuster] to make that happen, and took umbrage at the fact that, amid all overhaul, so that a super-state like 40. The results are an affront on any for good. you can do it in a variety of ways. the promises, it failed to challenge the Prussia, which accounted for 60% number of levels. They are racist, Socialism, however timid and You can do that through budget existing political structure. of the population at the time, would since small states tend to have fewer reformist, will die aborning. What reconciliation law. You have a With the system serving as nothing no longer coexist alongside a host minorities, anti-urban since they tend will his backers do then? Will they vice-president who will, in fact, more than “the fig-leaf of absolutism”, of duchies, grand duchies, free to be rural, sexist since rural states stand by and watch as their boat tell the Senate what is appropriate he said, it was “an obvious absurdity” Hanseatic cities and other medieval tend to be less hospitable to gays and sinks beneath the waves? Or will they and what is not, what is in order to talk about socialism “on the basis relics. “What should take its place? sexually conservative in general (see demand something more radical? This and what is not. of this constitution and the system of In my view, the proletariat can the 2005 film Brokeback Mountain is the crunch that Sanders supporters small states sanctioned by it”. Various only use the form of the one and for further details), and so on. could find themselves in as early as This is nonsense. Others have opportunists were trying to convince indivisible republic”: ie, straight- This is the chamber that Sanders January 2021 l attempted to use budget reconciliation their fellow party members that out popular representation with as has served in since 2008 without and the like to get around the filibuster, “present-day society is developing few constitutional encumbrances as uttering a peep. Yet now he is Notes but it never works. Republicans tried towards socialism”. But, as society possible to get in the way. Among defending a procedure that takes a bad 1. E Kilgore, ‘Bernie’s plan to thwart the filibuster is needlessly complicated’ New York to do it in 2017 in an attempt to gut progresses, they failed to address the other things, this required an end to system and makes it worse. Given vast Magazine September 13: http://nymag.com/ Obamacare. But, as Ed Kilgore question of whether it hybrid power arrangements, in which population disparities, it is possible to intelligencer/2019/09/bernie-sanders-needlessly- explained in New York Magazine, a democratic chamber existed side glean a Senate majority out of states complex-plan-to-thwart-filibuster.html. the effort died when it became clear does not thereby just as necessarily by side with “a federal chamber, in accounting for less than 18% of the 2. C Mills Rodrigo, ‘Sanders: Trump’s call to abolish filibuster should make one “nervous”’ that 60 votes would still be needed outgrow the old social order and which each canton, whether large or population. But the filibuster gives The Hill April 8: https://thehill.com/homenews/ to approve certain necessary rules whether it will not have to burst small, votes as such”. veto power to 41 senators representing campaign/437880-sanders-trumps-support-of- changes. So why bother with a this old shell by force, as a crab This hybrid arrangement is what less than 11. This enables ‘big sky’ abolishing-senate-filibuster-should-raise. parliamentary manoeuvre around the filibuster if it is no less difficult than Subscribe Name:______Standing order 1 confronting it head on? 6m 1yr Inst. 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