Weekly Worker issue 922 - July 12 2012
Private SWP quarrels and public SWP gagging
The main role of the annual Marxism festival seems to be making new recruits and attempting to buoy up the rank and file. Peter Manson reports
Over 5,000 comrades attended the Socialist Workers Party’s July 5-9 Marxism festival in central London, according to Socialist Worker. As usual, there were several large rallies, as well as dozens of smaller meetings - on the Saturday and Sunday there was a choice of 12 to attend at any given time.
Letters
NUM shambles; Sectarianism; Open to abuse; Double coup?; Head tennis;
Solidarity, morality and sex
Simon Wells reviews: Gregor Gall An agency of their own: sex worker union organising Zero Books 2012, pp97, £9.99
The appeal of Syriza
The left continues to squabble over the merits of the Coalition of the Radical Left in Greece - but, argues Paul Demarty, both sides miss the point
The relevance of Lenin today
Why is the Bolshevik leader ritualistically invoked, only to be demonised? Chris Cutrone of the US Platypus group examines the paradox
Tyranny, structure and red baiting pluralists
Though merger with the Labour Representation Committee was agreed at the Labour Briefing AGM, ugly accusations have followed. Stan Keable of Labour Party Marxists reports
Weakening our class
The SWP remains in line behind the nationalists in Scotland, reports Sarah McDonald
No line on architecture
Away from the headline showdowns some of the Marxism sessions saw SWP comrades free to speak their minds (on architecture). Emily Orford reports
Miliband clutches at banking straws
Labour’s plans for ‘root and branch’ reform of the banks will hardly touch the corruption that is endemic to the system, writes Eddie Ford
Fringe 2012
Jan Nolan reports from the CPGB fringe meetings at the SWP's Marxism Festival
Left pessimism and Tony Benn
Tony Benn and the SWP find surprising common ground, their (mis)understanding of the working class, reports Mark Fischer
