Some further odds and ends….

Skate boarders around Southbank

Once upon a time in the 1980s – then and now

Subtitle: the trouble with the soft Left….

It is a great feeling first thing in the morning to read about the utter humiliation of LibDems in Barnsley . The worrying aspect of this election was just how well UKIP and the BNP did. Disillusioned working class/lower middle class Tory voters maybe?

Labour did well without an overall coherent strategy, an alternative to the ConDems. Just what could happen if there was social democratic anti-cuts programme based on need as opposed to greed and profit? But there isn’t as Mister Ed still doesn’t want to rock the establishment boat. I mean one obvious loud statement they could make is the ConDems have no mandate to make these level of cuts nor did they mention any of this in their manifestoes (other than reneging which the LibDems have done). Labour should capitalise on this gain confidence and strength from this.

This by-election result is against a political backdrop of unprecedented and vicious cuts where Labour councils are implementing “kinder” cuts with a surreal belief that they’re doing it for the best reasons, and some because they’re right-wing and don’t give a damn. I was tweeting yesterday my own disillusionment and anger when Don Paskini popped up with this regarding Hackney Council. I asked, “Were Lab councillors elected to vote for cuts budgets? Where’s the leadership? Where’s the backbone? Democracy?”

Don replied: “but if there was an election tomorrow in hackney, i’d predict every single lab cllr wd be re-elected”..

Now that’s probably true but I still find that reply incredibly insulting, it reminds me of the view that all you have to do is to stick a red rosette on a donkey and people will vote for it (actually I think the donkey has more sense) but this kind of thinking takes Labour’s core base for granted. Yes, Labour will do well but what about in 4 years time? I don’t believe at the moment the ConDems are being seriously undermined (because honestly we don’t have a coherent politically committed opposition). Many people like to hark back to the 1980s. Labour did well in by-elections and local government elections in the early part of the 1980s because it was at the height of Bennism, policies that were popular along with massive support for CND, for example. Labour won landslides. Yet they lost in 1983. Indeed you had the “Falklands factor”. Thatcher was deeply unpopular but Labour still failed. Michael Foot was a right-wing intellectual who didn’t have the belief or confidence in Labour’s own policies. Also, his support over the Falklands which New Left Review described as, “voice of moral imperialism”.

The question was did Labour actually want to win in 1983? Or did it want time in opposition to shed itself of the Left? The latter I believe. Kinnock elected on a soft left platform certainly did carry out a concerted witch hunt. And another point that needs raising is that the soft left do more harm and damage than the traditional right wing. Blairism/NL roots came from the LCC (Labour Coordinating Committee) with a smattering of euro-communism which then morphs into something right-wing. This all formulated by people who were once avowedly left-wing in the 1970s who used the likes of Althusser’s writings to bridge the gap by de-politicising Marxist thought.

Why am I stating this? Because I think there are undoubtedly parallels between now and then. You have unpopular coalition where Labour is doing well in by-elections and possibly local elections but without an assertive, dynamic or radical leadership instead we have a dithering and hesitantly cowardly one. Difference is you had a more coherent, organised and larger left in the early 1980s that has certainly withered away over the years. There wasn’t a organised alliance in the 1980s during the council cuts, the reason any impact was made was due to the left being organised. But we don’t have that luxury as the left is in no way as strong nor do we have the time as to reiterate these cuts are astronomical where millions of pounds are being cut. The cuts happening now pale what happened in the 1980s into insignificance.

New Labour did well in the 2001 and 2005 elections as they relied on a weak opposition translated into low turnouts along with taking its base for granted simultaneously politically attacking them. Cameron is elected and rallies the Tory troops, NL can’t rely on lack of support for the Tories. Hence 2010 brings a hung parliament (no outright victory for the Tories yet rely on LibDem support).

Labour isn’t taking the power nor is it going with public mood over the cuts. They are too busy trying to woo LibDems certainly that’s what the soft left seems to be doing. Compass opening its membership, disastrous idea in my own opinion. If they were around during the time of Michael Foot they would have certainly championed him. So rather than support their own class interests i.e. working class Labour will shafting them unlike the Tories who defend their class to the hilt.

As a product of the political landscape of the 1980s I remember a more coherent and organised left now all I see is a small fractured left many of them (not all… I hasten to add) driven by ego, book deals and careerism as opposed to solidarity, comradeship and unity. I may be donning my rose tinted specs but things were organised and there was a sense of optimism, along with the lows but with defeat after crushing defeat I wonder whether there is the energy or the confidence to take the ConDems on. Apologies for my pessimism but what defines life in this society is an acceptance for your lot. That’s not to say you shouldn’t organise and agitate but I don’t get a sense of optimism especially with a Labour leadership and a trade union bureaucracy that conspires against us. It will be an uphill struggle. Today the pattern of economic hits will be different to that of the 1980s along with an economic system structured differently. Though a similar impotent Labour leadership who can’t even be part of leading the struggle against the cuts, a pathetic compromise with Mister Ed speaking yet not leading at the March 26 demo.

Finally, on the issue of Labour councillors/councils these are not just people facing a conjunctural difficulty involving local government law. It is part of their overall political orientation of half slightly mitigating the neo-liberal onslaught and half dressing this up as the said onslaught in “progressive” language. They will always find one excuse or another to do the same or similar as they have done over the council cuts.

It’s going to be desperately hard times politically as we have to change dramatically the current defeatist political narrative.

Carnival of Socialism

Revolution, Resistance and Radicalism……

Phew…..It has been a tumultuous revolutionary month…. Tunisia, Egypt, Libya… with Gaddafi hanging on with the West trying to bang the drum of war (well, Cameron trying to do a Bliar and now backtracking… ironic really considering UK selling Libya arms and lately Cameron pimping his wares of weaponry to the Middle East).

Overall lefties are (rightly!) opposed to imperialist intervention in Libya. Though there are some on the Left (if you can call them that…) who believe Gaddafi is some kind of left anti-imperialist…well he aint! And here’s a map of Libya’s oil infrastructure….  This eyewitness account from Tripoli is very poignant.

But also….what about what is happening in Egypt since Mubarak resigned? Zeinobia introduces us to the military junta of Egypt while Lansbury’s Lido makes a very good point. On the positive side….The fight by workers for independent trade unions. Solidarity!! In Tunisia after Ben Ali fled his successor has also resigned.

Ghannouchi, who was the Prime Minister under Ben Ali for ten years, had struggled to convince a significant number of the Tunisian people that he represented a break with the old regime — hence the protests at the weekend.

Also, I found this post thoughtful and interesting on Egypt and Orientialism. There are also some good links as well here.

Who knows what the outcome of these struggles, only time will win but solidarity with the Arab revolution….

Oh, and let’s not forget that there have been protests in Iraq.

While the struggle intensifies globally over here it’s crunch time with councils and their budgets. There has been many discussions about strategy… 10 reasons, can councilsresist the cuts, what should councillors do, why we should resist not implement Tory cuts, though at the end of the day people should be working together. I found thisexperience of a LP meeting interesting.

Six Hackney councillors signed joint statement against cuts (budget meeting is tonight). Resistance against the cuts has been very vocal and organised (sorry this is London-centric). In Newham “outlaw” Sir Robin Wales was jeered (hurrah!), occupation in Haringey, Lambeth council chamber was occupied as well, protest outside Brent town hall, Camdenprotesters blocked Euston Road, Protesters in Barnet were told they could film proceedings (but this wasn’t allowed in the end!), activists and trade unionists weren’t allowed to address the council in Southwark (this apparently came from Lab councillors…shame on them), Cops clear the public gallery at the town hall in Islington, Lewisham activists held a mock funeral at the town hall …RIP democracy and public services!

There will be further anti-cuts protests, direct actions, campaigns, mobilisations for 26th March demo, and anti-cuts spaces…. The struggle is ongoing but why do I feel demoralised?

But……….

Wisconsin yay!

A life changing event for many…..

ConDems welfare bill is being debated by MPs next Wednesday, 9 March, this is the second reading stage. Choler imagines a brave new workfare world (you might give ‘em ideas comrade….), this proposal thoroughly sickens and disgusts me (I truly hope people who are fined appeal and claim under the DDA!). There have been protests against these cuts and attacks on benefits. This bill continues the stigmatisation and bullying of the poor. And the devastating consequences this bill could have on people makes me very angry.

Finally…..The lovely Splott dad rants, Tim on Tory morals, Smile Don’t Frown prefers Pilger to Purnell (don’t we all!), prisoner Ben wants to stuff the Census, Owen Jones argues why Labour is our only hope, Luna 17 blogs about his experience of visiting Palestine, record number of women are claiming JSA, Jews san frontieres on McEwan’s lousy speech, Mick on the Irish general election, beginners guide to Osborneconomics and snow, Bob thinks Progressive London is a popular front for reactionaries, Shibley Rahman on Compass lecture, Jim supports Natalie Bennett for London Assembly (if I was a GP member…which I’m not…I’d vote for her!), no climate camp this year, Lisa Ansell help around benefits, Cath Elliott on Julian Assange, Mark on councils and fightbacks, Scotland Yard pay out £117,000 to G20 protesters, Socialist Doctor on the Big Society, inquest into the death of Ian Tomlinson commences on the 28 March, Madam Miaow on having a rock ‘n roll time at Jeff Beck party, BenSix on the laziest post ever published, Sofie on journalism, ethics and the movement, Hannah on victim blaming, Chicken Yoghurt on Blair’s legacy, Nick on the March 26 demo and no platform, Carl on saving local open spaces (nice pix too), Phil’s not blogging, Helen is on a hiatus (hope she comes back!!). Get well soon Kevin!

I would say more on AV but aint got the energy (Paul Anderson has something here). Another point of view here.

As someone who likes cats and chocolate… I was pleased to discover this.

Wisconsin yay!! The fever is catching

…..Finally let me leave you with Rustbelt Radical on Eugene Debs…who said “the most heroic word in all languages is revolution”

Solidarity ….

NB: Just to say that while I have included  original blogposts, I can’t be held responsible for what they have in their threads/comments, and that I deplore any threats of violence.

Anti-Cuts Space Now Open – Go visit now!!

Before I went to the Camden protest last night I visited (along with Carl) the Anti-Cuts Open Space at 11 Bedford Square. Below is their statement.

Friends!

We’ve taken the building at 11 Bedford Square. For the duration of our stay here it will be run as the Anti-Cuts Space London. Come along anytime today – especially if you want to have a cup of something after all the UkUncut actions in London.

We’ll be having a meeting at 4pm today (Saturday 26th) to talk further about what this space can be used for, about direct action workshops, about escalated opposition, and building towards March 26th.

The Occupiers,
Anti-Cuts Space London

As I said I visited the space, listened to their 4pm meeting which was interesting and will go again but I kinda got mesmerised by the staircase, lovely bit of architecture.

Carnival of Socialism will happen later this week

Just to write that the Carnival of Socialism will happen later this week as I am knackered after Camden protest (just getting too old for this running around….). So expect to see it Thursday evening….

Camden anti-cuts protests – speeches

As we weren’t allowed in. Some speeches were made outside Camden Town Hall by people who spoke inside; Candy Unwin, Roger Lloyd Pack and a former Labour councillor.

Camden anti-cuts protest – blocking the road

As the cops wouldn’t allow us in to listen to the debate about the cuts budget in the council chamber people marched to the end of Judd Street and blocked Euston Road for an hour or so.

Outside Camden Town Hall yesterday

Part 1 of a video outside Camden Town Hall of people protesting against the cuts budget. Councillors came out to “justify” their reasons for voting for a cuts budget which led to things kicking off as protesters surge forward to break through the barriers. Only a few were able to get into the council chamber.

Have a look at the tweets of journalist Richard Osley who made it into the council chamber. See his website as well.

Tonight’s protest outside Camden Council

I was at Camden Town Hall tonight. Marched from Crowndale Centre (Eversholt Street) to Camden Town Hall. People stood outside confronted by lines of cops refusing us access to listen to the debate on the cuts budget. I heard that it was a ticket event only! So much for democracy.

The cops weren’t letting us in so we marched down Judd Street and blocked Euston Road. Traffic was forced to a standstill while cops stood around doing very little.

Cab driver decided he wasn’t particularly into solidarity and drove at protesters to get away (I had to jump out of the way while filming) and another car did the same hurting one protester (not too badly I heard). All this happened while the cops stood idly by watching cars driving at us.

The cops came over to us and said that people could go into the town hall but this was a ploy to get us off the road as once we walked back they refused us entry again. Fortunately, there were others continuing to occupy the road. A protester asked what the criteria was used for getting into the town hall to listen to the debate, no reply from the cops. They let in 10 people or so that was it. There was plenty of room to let us in. One cop told a protester that the reason he wasn’t being let in was because he was a “trouble maker” (??????). It was farcical

What’s even more farcical was lines of cops protecting the town hall from protesters. That’s not democracy! Ordinary people protesting against these vicious cuts. I heard there was a bit of disruption in the council chamber not sure of the details except the meeting was adjourned for some minutes.

Shame on those Labour councillors who voted for the cuts! As on former Labour councillor said outside the town hall they don’t have to vote for cuts, they could resign and fight on an anti-cuts platform.

Actor Roger Lloyd Pack being interviewed outside Camden Town Hall

It was a mixed night for me, watching cops pushing and shoving protesters (I don’t know if anyone was arrested) denying us democracy. Yet we had the power to block the road. Resistance makes you strong.

See Madam Miaow’s post here