One of the saddest aspects of being on the political left in this country is the fragmentation which plagues us; if I can name drop for a second, I spent an hour in the company of Tony Benn at the Theatre Royal Glasgow before he did his lecture to a packed theatre, my companions were Cllrs. Burns and Williams and we had a fantastic conversation, we did a brief trawl trough his life history which was an incredible privilege for us. I remember vividly that he was never more animated than when he was talking about the number of left wing parties in Britain; the number at that time was 23, he damned the fact that we were unable to stick together and he also said as I do that there is no other credible vehicle for socialist change than the Labour Party. I’m not sure what the number is now but it still gives me grief that these divisions exist, I read that during the Glasgow East By Election ex Labour Party ex SSP and now Solidarity member Tommy Sheridan was saying that he knew he couldn’t win but was hoping that Labour got a kicking from the SNP, for a so called left wing socialist to find himself on a journey which brings him to a position where he wants the SNP to win is quite incredible, for the SSP to ally themselves with the SNP as happened in Renfrewshire Council is also quite incredible, this is where we are and it is a tragedy.
The overwhelming number of members of these parties started out as Labour members/voters but, sadly they all have one thing in common they are quitters; they have all given up, they are now happy to wring their hands on the sidelines safe in the knowledge that they will never have to get those hands dirty because they will never get anywhere near power; they talk a good game; they are quite rightly a rich seam of comic material for the likes of “Monty Python” and “Wolfie Smith”, a terrific folk singer from North East England Called Alex Glasgow used to bring the house down years ago by singing about them as follows ;-
As soon as this pub closes,
As soon as this pub closes,
As soon as this pub closes,
The revolution starts.
Not really funny I know but very true; some are genuine but misguided, a great many more are bitter because the Labour Party never recognised or rewarded their talents, more still; like the idea of political involvement but don’t fancy swimming with the big fish. In the case of the SSP and Solidarity we have so called left wingers who have moved from being Internationalists to Nationalists and now attach themselves to every popular cause there is. They take their lead from the capitalist media that they profess to hate, the American term “Ambulance Chasers” best describes them. Lots of these people are quite happy to see their mountain of lost deposits grow ever higher; this keeps their bogus claims and posturing safe from scrutiny, I still hope that some day they will come off the comfortable fence that they sit on and join the struggle in the only place where it is really taking place “The Labour Party” until they do, they will achieve nothing and the country will continue to laugh at them.
Comedians and script writers will continue to dip into that rich seam of ridicule and farce that they provide, fly by night actors and luvvies will continue to use them to bolster their rebellious images while, at the same time, making a good living at their expense, Rebels? Revolutionaries? My bloody 'Jim Royle.'
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15 comments:
Very good entry Cllr.
I would quibble on one thing. From my point of view the old party is dead, replaced by a post Thatcherite version of Labour, which is just not the same.
An interesting post but perhaps indicative of the problems within the 'socialist' community. The language you've used is more divisive than concilliatory.
If 'socialists' are unable to provide a unified vision of how socialism could work for us all, then how can you expect the less convinced, or committed, to join the commune?
Regarding Tommy Sheridan's journey from left wing socialist to SNP supporter, didn't Robert Cunninghame Graham make something of a similar journey?
(Allan) 29/01/09
There is no alternative to the Labour Party if you are serious about making a real difference to the rotten society we live in.
“The only constant is change” Leon Trotsky.
(Jim) 12:01
We continue to fight to win over “the less convinced” but you are right to identify the problem.
There is no shortage of people changing parties but, this is a personal opinion based on my knowledge of the SS and the SNP.
Cllr, I see you are being slagged off on this web site:
www.paisleyexpressions.blogspot.com
Have you had a look, you appear as popular as Derek Obama McKay.
Is that possible.
Cheers
Robin.
(Anonymous) 30/01/09
I don’t advertise my opponents blog sites, I’ve heard of this one and I’m satisfied to have such morons as enemies, SNP knuckle draggers.
Cllr Kelly
www.worldsocialism.org may be of interest. They would challenge your contentious claim you are in fact a "socialist". They would also challenge the SSP and Tommy Sheridan, saying you are all reformists (of the capitalist system)of one type or the other.
is calling someone a knuckle dragger the limit of your capabilty to insult??. i find that hard to believe? i also find it very insulting to real people with long arms and short legs who are being victimised by you.
shame on you
"There is no alternative to the Labour Party if you are serious about making a real difference to the rotten society we live in."
What do you make of the revelation in the Sunday Times regarding their undercover investigation last week (25/01/2009) that exposed that 4 out 5 Labour peers approached were willing to accept bribes up to £120,000 in return for influencing changes in legislation.
5 other peers from Conservatives, Lib Dems and Ulster Unionist were approached and declined.
Interested in your thoughts on this councillor if you print it.
(Anonymous) 03/02/09
I’m not bothered to read this article you refer to nor do I intend to involve myself in a convoluted discussion with you about whose brand of Socialism washes whiter, I leave that to the bar room revolutionaries.
(the broken down barman) 13:24
I don’t wish to sound cruel and please don’t take this as an insult but; do you actually have anything to say?
(the broken down barman) 13:24
I don’t wish to sound cruel and please don’t take this as an insult but; do you actually have anything to say?
(mother abigail) 14:24
I suppose you could conclude from these allegations that Labour peers are dishonest and peers from the conservatives, the Liberal Democrats and those from the Ulster Unionists are honest; is that your conclusion?
Except of course Archer of the Tories, the first seller of Knighthoods David Lloyd George of the Liberal Democrats and of course the Ulster Unionists who up until recently were sustained in power by the most sectarian gerrymandered political system on the planet outside apartheid South Africa.
For the avoidance of doubt; I would scrap the Lords along with all other positions of unelected power like the monarchy but, I wouldn’t claim that that, would be the end of corruption from any party.
I don’t believe that political parties are corrupt, people though sometimes are.
I have concluded nothing Terry, I merely presented the facts and asked for your opinion.
I am fully aware that there is corrupt people in all walks of life although it is very damning that 80% of the Labour peers approached were willing to take the bribe. That is not my conclusion just a representation of the facts.
I think that anyone involved in any kind of activity like this whether in the Lords or the commons should be removed from their position permenantly
(mother abigail) 04/02/09
“I have concluded nothing”
I didn’t say that you had; I asked if that was your conclusion; it would appear here that you have come to that conclusion but, lack the conviction to say it.
Your unfounded accusations merely show your ignorance and bias, these are allegations; not facts; your confidence in the blatantly anti Labour Sunday Times is both revealing and touching.
Asserting that 4 out of 5 allegations mean that 80% of labour peers are corrupt damns you more than them, can you not at least make a token attempt at some intellectual rigour,this is embarrassing even by your standards.
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