Friday, August 20, 2010

"THE PROBLEM with the Socialist Workers Party"

"THE PROBLEM with the Socialist Workers Party, the old joke goes, is that hardly any of its members are workers, even fewer are socialists and none of them knows how to party".

The Guardian, March 29, 1991

Hat tip thingy Harry's Place
 
(Special day tomorrow folks!)
 
:)

6 comments:

nick venedi said...

Hey John,

The problem I have with criticising SWP activists is that whilst I do not agree with their policies and objectives the ones I met in my time (very many by the way) have been genuine, nice and actually caring people its such a shame they don't embrace pragmatism and join a the Labour party. I have known and worked with around 12 SWP activists over the years and they have all been wonderful as people. Can't say the same about other far left wing groups though...

John Gray said...

Hi Nick

Sort of agree - it a like "Hate the sin, love the sinner".

What other far left groups are you referring to? :)

nick venedi said...

Ha ha.. well John I mean the Permanent Revolution losers John, they are nasty, manipulative and very sneaky.. only good thing about them (is there such a thing?) is that there isnt many of them around.. SWP are hard working nice people as far as I know and from experience. PR need to be exposed for what they are!

John Gray said...

Hi Nick

"Permanent Revolution" how on earth can educated people still believe in such stuff and nonsense?

Anonymous said...

I met a SWP member who accused me of being racist because I didn't take his leaflet. He was selling papers on Brick lane during the Derek Beacon days. Many of the SWP that I have met have been extremely judgemental, some have even been aggressive and provocative. At the time I was supporting an organisation that actually helped families to protect themselves and speak out about the racism happening on their streets. As far as I could tell the SWP were just as pushy and aggressive as the BNP. I believe this is detrimental to any good cause. Over the following weeks I had more run ins with this chap and his friends. I had the misfortune of hearing him speak at an event. He was preaching about how we didn't understand what it was like to have to live in fear of the NF and BNP. I did some research. He had two lovely middle class white parents from a very white middle class background. I am Anglo Indian and took great offence to him and his judgement. I use my education and privileged position as a teacher to actively question and challenge oppression, any perpetuation of racism and the subjugation of our human rights. I suggest we arm our children not with fear and the ability to shout the loudest but with the confidence to ask the right questions.

John Gray said...

well said Anon.

(What about democratic centralism!)