TIME TO RAGE AGAINST THE TORIES

I've just been reading ( a bit late) some of the responses to the Convention Of The Left in Brighton over at Socialist Unity. I think a lot of the comments were unfair, and wholly negative. Yes, the event could have been bigger, the demographic was a bit narrow, but overall it was successful in bringing together disparate left groups to have a discussion in a friendly way and I believe it will be the base for joint working on issues down in the south.
This spirit of comradeliness seems to irk some folk. Which frankly mystifies me. And, speaking as a white, middle-aged socialist I get a bit sick and tired of people having a pop at events lagely comprised of the above as if somehow being over 50 were a crime against humanity. Would you prefer us not to turn up at all?
What also disturbed me were suggestions that that the Sunday demonstration, which frankly was hijacked by the SWP chanting inane and sometimes offensive slogans, was a better way of demonstrating solidarity and support. For what? I could not help asking as a woman next to me hysterically screamed "Gordon Brown, you are scum" over and over again .
I was not alone in regarding this as childish, disturbing and wrong. Which is why I sidestepped away from the banshee-like wailing.
The original point of that demo, convened by several unions including my own, was NOT to "Rage Against New Labour" but to march on the theme of "Jobs, Education,Peace." A constructive message which sadly got rather lost in the name-calling.
One of the many attributes which people like Tony Benn have always had is a refusal to downgrade political disagreement to personal abuse. To use the cliche, policies, not personalities."
And when you get alleged socialists chanting "Labour Out" with undisguised glee then you have to ask what planet they are living on. Or if they actually care what happens to the working-class in their zeal to out-left each other.
Maybe there are some on the very far left who do not care whether we get a Tory or a Labour Government - for those of us in the Labour Left I hope the position is very different.
This Government has scored own goal after own goal in its quest to keep Middle England on board and yes there are some Labour MPs who are indistinguishable from Tories. They remain in the minority.
In the past two years on this blog I have repeatedly said that the labour movement, and the Labour Party, is far more than New Labour. And that calls for a new Party are a blind alley.
Yes I'm angry that the Government did not see it was alienating its core supporters with much of its policy agenda. But we have just a few months to try and win that back.
By putting pressure on from below, getting the TUC to campaign on the Peoples Charter, and killing the myth of "compassionate Conservatism" , we can do far more than tarring all Labour Mps with the same brush, and helping the Tories by standing no-hope candidates.
The SWP's tactic of righteous but bilious anger is "a tale of sound and fury, signifying nothing" other than iconoclastic , nihilistic rage which will only help Cameron to an even larger majority.
The approach of the Convention, to work together on the issues which unite us, rather than open up unnecessary divisions, is sane, honest and far more worthy of support.

CONVENTION OF THE LEFT - SATURDAY

Saturday 26th September 200910:30am to 5:00pm
The 2009 Convention of the Left will be held at the Brighthelm Centre, North Road, Brighton, BN1 1YD.
This is a free one-day conference, with contributors including Jeremy Corbyn MP, Robert Griffiths (Communist Party of Britain), John Haylett (Morning Star), Caroline Lucas MEP (Green Party), John Maguire (Unite Belfast Visteon Convenor), John McDonnell MP (LRC), Pete Murray (NUJ), Kay Phillips (Respect), Martin Smith (SWP), Matt Wrack (FBU) to discuss how we make the green, left, socialist and radical alternative a reality.
See www.conventionoftheleft.org for more details. Download the Convention of the Left 2009 flyer.
Last year the Convention ran successfully as the alternative to New Labour’s conference in Manchester. This year’s Convention event will continue the debates on the crisis of capitalism and Westminster politics and develop our ideas in response.
The wealth exists in society to pay for our essential needs - and the way the governments of the UK, EU and US have found trillions of Pounds, Dollars and Euros at the drop of a hat for the bankers proves what we have been saying all along.
And, as the continuing bloodshed in Afghanistan shows, there is still a limitless coffer for war and destruction.
The trouble is that our rulers want to use the wealth in society to prop up capitalism - which will inevitably lead to the same results all over again. They are buying themselves out of their crisis, but expecting the rest of us pay the price.
Recessions lead scape-goating, racism and the rise of the far right. The election of two BNP members to the European Parliament should be warning to us all.
Don’t blame the victims. The poor should not be punished for the crisis of capitalism. We must provide the alternative. We look forward to seeing you in Brighton on September 26th to discuss how we make the green, left, socialist and radical alternative a reality.

CONVENTION OF THE LEFT BRIGHTON

What happened to the summer? Went out tonight to discard rubbish and the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness definitely upon us.

I suppose the good news for politicos is that autumn signals the return of activity and one of the first things on our agenda will be the one-day conference in Brighton on Saturday September 26 called by organisers of last year's event in Manchester.

Named participants so far include Tony Benn, John McDonnell and Jeremy Corbyn plus union leaders from the FBU and NUJ. It's at the Brightelm Centre from around 10.30am to 5pm. More details here: http://www.conventionoftheleft.org/

CONVENTION OF THE LEFT 2009

At the LRC Conference, a resolution in support of plans for a Convention Of The Left in Brighton next year was overwhelmingly passed. No tine to blog at length today but I have posted something on it here

CONVENTION OF LEFT HEADS SOUTH

Last night an inquorate Branch meeting. By way of contrast a friend of mine in West London went the other night to a packed meeting in Ealing called by the Convention Of The Left. Around 60 people were there and speakers were John McDonnell MP and Andrew Fisher from LEAP. You can read a detailed account of the evening from Andrew on the blog.
On Saturday, I will be moving a resolution at the LRC Conference urging support for another Convention Of The Left in Brighton 2009. This is NOT to replace Labour Party activity. We must continue to build the LRC as much as we can across the country and I'm committed to devoting as much time to that as I can. But the harsh fact is that the Labour Left within the Party is currently pretty demoralised
Im West Yorkshire, we have been fortunate enough to build an LRC which I hope will contiunue to grow - but it can be utterly soul-destroying being the only leftie in a constituency. By meeting other like minds, not all necessarily in the Labour Party, we can at least discuss issues and plan joint campaigns, without handing in our Party cards. We also pass on the vital message there are still socialists within Labour and even persuade others to join us.
The Manchester COL group meets Monday night at the Friends Meeting House 7pm. And there is a Recall Conference now re-scheduled to Saturday January 24 2009. Post to go up shortly explaining all about that.

NORTHERN ROCK PROTEST MANCHESTER

NORTHERN ROCK PROTEST - STOP THE REPOSSESSIONS!
11am
Saturday November 1.
Northern Rock, 1 Princess Street, Albert Square , Manchester

Protestors are gathering outside Northern Rock’s Manchester HQ to campaign against Northern Rock’s policy of repossessions on a scale twice as fast as any other bank in the country.

Supporters of the Convention Of The Left which has organised the protest, say nationalised banks should be run in the interests of working people and that Northern Rock should not be pursuing a policy of taking their homes and making them destitute.

More information at http://www.conventionoftheleft.org/resources/Northern%20rock_homeprint.pdf

CONVENING AGAIN...

Can't be bothered commenting on the last batch of mediocrities to be appointed to junior positions - ie Sion Simon, Chris Bryant. Tonight going into Manchester for a feedback meeting on the Convention Of The Left. Not navel-gazing but I hope a constructive discussion of where we go next. I'm about to write a short report for Labour Briefing about it and will post a copy up here soon.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/sep/25/labourconference.labour

The above link takes you to John Nicholson's thoughts on the Convention Of Left. Predictably.lots of right-wing trolling follows. But I think that is a great insult to all those who put their hearts and souls into the occasion. Hundreds turned up - and enjoyed serious debates. Well done to all and look forward to COL 2009................