Where next for the Left in Leeds?
Leading members of the left from Leeds, Bradford and Wakefield met at the West Yorkshire Playhouse to discuss the recent elections. Despite one or two outbursts of sectarianism the meeting was remarkably good-tempered and constructive. It followed a similar meeting organised with John Nicholson in Manchester.
The key issue discussed was working together in an open, supportive and comradely way. Something which everyone there agreed on. However, although discussed, the ticklish issue of working with Respect was not resolved - the problem being its domination by the notoriously fickle and short-termist SWP. The "independent" members of Respect argued that the rest of left should continue to try to cooperate with Respect despite the SWP.
The meeting including members of Alliance for Green Socialism, the Socialist Party, the Labour Party, the Alliance for Workers Liberty, Respect, the Socialist Alliance and a couple of ex-members of the Socialist Workers Party. The SWP itself did not send anyone despite being informed. Perhaps they were still reeling from the after-effects of Chris Bamberry's (National SWP Secretary) visit to Leeds. The recent National Committee of the SWP has agreed to sell its print shop. The failure of the SWP to make many members out of the Stop the War Coalition, along with only achieving a quarter of its expected vote in the European Elections, has created a sense of crisis among its leading members. Their response has been to blame the SWP members for not working hard enough. In practice we can expect to see more imitations of headless chickens from their members and of course more ex-members at forums like the one in Leeds. They will be made most welcome.
The meeting agreed to explore holding joint political forums, continue the organisational liaison and explore campaigning on educational issues. The strange situation in Leeds where there is now a hotchpotch coalition of the Liberal Democrats, Tories and Greens led to a suggestion to explore the setting of a Council Watch along the lines of the successful Kirklees campaign.
The hotchpotch coalition wasn't the first idea of the Tories in Leeds. They share with their New Labour Council colleagues a deep loathing for the fickle and unreliable Liberal Democrats. So after the election they approached the New Labour leader Keith Wakefield with a proposal for a joint administration for the City. On the general direction of the Council there have been very few differences in polices between the two. They both hate and despise the Lib Dems. However Wakefield turned them down. The reason he gave was that New Labour nationally wouldn't let him do it. However Wakefield was calculating that the Tories and Lib Dems wouldn't come to agreement and that he could carry on running the Council with a minority administration. That is why he and his fellow executive members held on to their plush offices right up to the time they were kicked out by the Council vote.
Of course another calculation was that a Tory-New Labour coalition would have exposed just how close the policies of the two parties have become. So in the end for the sake of the City and for their share of the plush offices the Tories overcome their loathing and joined forces with the Lib Dems.
None of this explains the Green Party's behaviour. One problem is that there is no "Leeds Green Party". Each branch is autonomous and can make any political deal it wants. That is why they had no manifesto for the city. They had no vision and therefore in the end no principles for which to fight. Last year the York Green Party led by the left-leaning Mark Hill put on their web site a two-page denounciation of the Liberal Democrats. It was written to explain why they would not go into coalition with them. Their attacks, were not specific to York, and included the following -.
- Incineration: "Sheffield Greens have had to oppose the decision of the Lib Dem controlled council to sanction the construction of a new waste incinerator costing a monumental £40m."
- Privatisation: "Bradford Liberal Democrats have shared power with the conservatives and privatised various public services"
- They then go on to attack the Lib Dems over airports, GM foods, Menwith Hill etc.
Now that the Leeds Greens have entered into coalition not just with the Lib Dems but with the Tories as well, will the York Green attack them? Not likely. They have dropped the offending article from their web site. When it comes to principles versus office the Green Party have nothing to learn from the Liberal Democrats.
So what have the Leeds Greens go out of the deal? Apparently a position on the Executive Committee which will pay David Blackburn a lot more, their own private office and the Chair of some minor committee.
What next for the Left in Manchester?
John Nicholson sent the following report to the Leeds meeting on similar developments in Manchester. There is a further report on the Socialist Unity Website.
The meeting agreed the following:
- to recognise that different things are going on all over the country(ies) and to keep links in the North West region and nationally (internationally?)
- to note that there may be SWP members unhappy with the current direction of their party and to engage with these where possible
- to work towards socialist unity - explicitly socialist, pluralist, democratic - this is a statement that we are not afraid to make
- to organise a meeting (under the umbrella of sa members in gm) in September to start a campaign against privatisation (note members present from Wigan SA, Bury and Prestwich SA, Chorlton SA, and individuals from Rochdale, south and east Manchester, Salford, .... and Stockport)
- to work with others to organise event(s) in the autumn - these might include taking on organising the SA Conference - in liaison with Liverpool / SADP (assuming SA exec does not try to cancel or postpone this) and might also include working with AGS, SADP, or others, such as the Liverpool dockers, who have put forward a recent initiative to launch a mass workers party - and that we do all this in order to develop socialist unity and with a longer term goal of a workers party
- to get involved in struggles and actions taking place now - asylum conference july 24th, dockers next meeting also July 24th, Manchester Social Forum, and to encourage others, such as greens and /or GP members, to join in activities - recognising that unity in practical action is the most likely way to create unity in organisation
- not to create a formal structure (such as "GMSA") - at this stage - not least because the meeting had no status, but also because it is important to work with the developments of events in the autumn and create an organisation for greater Manchester in line with or arising out of these, rather than pre-empting this with any particular structure now (although some SADP members (ie the ISL) clearly wanted everyone to join the SADP, and the AWL wanted the GMSA now, and Workers Power members wanted to join the Socialist Alliance in Greater Manchester once again (although their tendency left the SA, nationally, a couple of years ago), etc etc)
And, perhaps most important, is to say that the atmosphere was very positive and enthusiastic. this may have been assisted by the relatively non-sectarian approach of the tendencies who were present (apart from the back-and-forward about what their version of the mass / "new" workers party would look like) and by the fact there were no SWP members present (whether hostile or otherwise, any such presence might have made the discussion more awkward and missed the focus of organising in a non-sectarian way, irrespective of respect). but mostly I think it was the enthusiasm, with eyes wide open, of genuine socialist alliance members, who are still here and want to campaign, here and now (with or without elections).
John Nicholson, in his email, thanked the SSP and AGS for their support. We hope we can (all) keep in touch.
One, of my more prominent comrades, who is a lot tougher than I, while acknowledging John's good intentions, supplied the following comment.
"This, of course, is the same John Nicholson, who was instrumental in the SWP's take over of the Socialist Alliance. After which he departed for Africa. Where it hoped, he reflected on his part in the destruction of the SA in the hands of his erstwhile comrades Reese and Hoveman. I trust that his return to the bosom of British politics see him wiser and more circumspect about his future political allies and activities."
The comrade doesn't like to be crossed as many have found out. However the two meetings along with other developments do represent a very positive step forward.
Round the Garden Parties
Kwale Garden Party
This now annual garden party was ably and amiably hosted by Maggie Garrett in Chapel Allerton. Over £600 was raised for deaf children in Kenya. The money provides support for a self-help scheme. The children and staff at the school run their own chicken farm. This helps to feed them at the boarding school, the produce sold provides money and it also provides training in animal husbandry.
The dozens of visitors were entertained by some excellent music and were able to get behind the high wall to see Maggie's wonderful garden.
Mike and Gilda's Garden Party.
Despite Mike McGrath's "retirement" his annual Garden party has not been held for the last couple of year. He made up for it this year with bright sunshine. His large garden was looking in fine shape. Practically everyone of importance of the Chapel Allerton elite were there. At one stage I notice four former councillors Sarah Perigo, Francis Jones, Graham Platt and Garth Frankland in animated conversation by the pond. They were no doubt reminiscing about the good old days or perhaps planning a comeback...
Alliance for Green Socialism Garden Party
I forgot to mention in my last Newsletter the brilliant Alliance for Green Socialism Garden Party. Something my fellow columnist Oliver Cross did manage to mention. This was part of his extensive research for his own upcoming event. He particularly mentioned how nice the AGS people are, something with which I agree. I am also hoping for an invite to his party so as to collect a few ideas for future AGS events.
Mike Davies' Bash the Blair Rat again proved a popular attraction. The extensive buffet was augmented with excellent West Indian chicken from Red Rose and Jeannie Sutton. Ella and Maddie ran a Roll-a-Penny game although it cost more than a penny to play.
Despite being run straight after the election and before the drawn-out Euro Count the AGS comrades looked and sounded remarkably upbeat. This was not surprising as the event raised a record sum for the AGS's future campaigning in Leeds.
Pay up for Pensioners Rally
The Pay UP Pensioners march and rally attracted over 3,000 pensioners and trade unionists people from all over the UK and included several coaches from Leeds. They marched from the Embankment to Trafalgar Square. Their demands were for a fairer deal for state pensions and no detrimental changes to the public sector pensions. The mood was distinctly upbeat but more will be need to be done to turn back the government's attacks on the pensioners.
Billions of pounds have been stolen by big business from the pensioners funds when they declared themselves pension holidays to avoid contributing to the funds and now they say they haven't the money. New Labour backs them to hilt by raising the retirement age for women to 65 and threatening to raise the pension for everyone to 70 or even 75. They are hostile to workers benefiting at all from their years of work and paying their taxes and national insurance. The national insurance fund has been in surplus for years and if the rich had to pay it in full enough money would be there to pay for everyone to retire at 60 on reasonable pensions.
See some great photos of the rally here.
When will they catch Ben Laden?
Some of the less knowledgeable web gossipers, encouraged by GCHQ agents freelancing, are saying that Bin Laden has already been captured and that Bush will produce him during his election as the ace he needs to win his presidential election. The best date being during the Democrats Convention. One of the more fanciful rumours says that DNA will be produced from one of the Afghan bombing sites to prove he is "dead". Regular readers of this column know he has shaved his beard and is living in Tel Aviv.
However the US government has increased its pressure on the Pakistan Government to go after him and his associates in the tribal lands along the Afghan border. This area has already a pro-Taliban administration and troops from the government have never been welcome. This unremitting drive including attempts to blackmail the Pakistan Government by refusing to sell them the latest aeroplane technology will destabilise them.
But others are gambling on the date as can be seen on this website...
South Yorkshire festival
Despite severe outbursts of rain the South Yorkshire Festival was a wonderful success.. The Alliance for Green Socialism stall did good business. The Festival was organised by the Coop Movement and held at Wortley Hall, the Coop movement's stately hall. Two of the main speakers at the event, including NUM Secretary Steve Kemp, emphasised the importance of the Labour Representation Committee conference taking place that day in London.
After the speeches a moving ceremony was carried in the Garden of Peace where the ashes of Frank Watters. an important Communist Party militant and honorary member of the NUM. were scattered.
It would also be wrong not mention the wonderful hot beef and pork sandwiches made by the catering staff at Wortley Hall. A good time was had despite the appalling weather.
Reclaim Chapel Allerton Park
After an alleged serious incident in Chapel Allerton Park there has been a drop in people going there. A number of local residents organised a successful reclaim the Park event. It was addressed by the new elected New Labour Councillor Mohamed Raffiq. This was followed the following week a great family party organised by the Chapel Allerton Arts Festival.
Labour NEC results
In 1998 the Grass Roots Alliance (GRA), with Liz Davies, won 342 000 votes for the NEC. GRA's vote is now down to 100, 596. The GRA's 4 members slipped to 3 in subsequent years. Ann Black's vote has dropped by a third from 2002. However the gap between the GRA and the right continues to narrow. The drop in votes reflects the collapse of the Party's membership. It calls in question any internal strategy by the Labour Representation Committee of reclaiming such a rapidly shrinking organisation.
- Mohammed Azam 14391 (GRA)
- Louise Baldock 15834
- Ann Black 20587 * (GRA)
- Joseph Ejiofor 10109
- Irene Graham 12698 * (GRA)
- Shahid Malik 16528 *
- Valerie Price 14204
- Mark Seddon 18664 * (GRA)
- Christine Shawcroft 17522 * (GRA)
- Mandy Telford 11857
- Ruth Turner 16794 *
- Peter Wheeler 16501 *
- Mari Williams 13210
- Pete Willsman 15734 (GRA)
* = Elected
No go areas for the BNP
A number of rumours have reached me that during the Euro elections post office workers refused to distribute the BNP election address in Chapeltown, Leeds. The Post Office managers then used a private firm that used workers from Eastern Europe to deliver them. However when the local residents found out; they chased the temporary post workers out of the area.
-- Half-Celestial Khan
