Weekly Worker 398 Thursday September 6 2001

Fighting for unity

As the debate around the future structure of the Socialist Alliance picks up, 13 leading alliance members have initiated a joint statement, ‘For a democratic and effective Socialist Alliance’, which we reproduce here. This represents an important signpost pointing towards a genuinely class-based socialist organisation in this country.

Those signing do so for their own reasons and there is no intention to ascribe my thoughts to them. The statement is intended as a broad appraisal of what is needed for the alliance to move forward effectively and democratically. Signatories have their own desired outcomes and expectations, which may or may not be similar to those of myself and the CPGB. However, all share the desire for democratic accountability and an effective, united organisation.

With humble beginnings as the Network of Socialist Alliances in the mid- 1990s, the SA has managed to firmly place itself in a relatively short space of time on the national political map as one of the ‘major minor parties’. Through the general election we forged for ourselves a common programmatic identity (ie, our People before profit manifesto). Our current structures are clearly now woefully inadequate for our tasks and the vision we set for ourselves: not least achieving working class rule (ie, socialism) in Britain, across Europe and throughout the world. The CPGB believes it is time to up the tempo of our collective organisation and political development and set our sights on building the Socialist Alliance as a political party as quickly as practicably possible.

The Socialist Alliance is a watershed for the left in Britain. It is now possible to overcome decades of sectarian divisions through united action and democratic discussion. With the current crisis of Labourism, the socialist and communist left must unite - of course on a principled basis. The working class requires and demands no less.

Incorporating comrade Mike Marqusee’s draft ‘Charter for members’ rights’, the ‘Statement for a democratic and effective Socialist Alliance’ makes it clear that an effective organisation and democratic accountability and transparency are mutually dependent.

The Socialist Party leadership is intent on returning the Socialist Alliance to its embryonic federal stage. Likewise the SWP wants nothing more than a ‘united front’, albeit of a ‘special kind’. Initiative, for the most part, is meant to remain within the SWP and outside the alliance itself.

Both approaches are inadequate for our needs. What is needed is a democratic and effective Socialist Alliance.

Marcus Larsen
Socialist Alliance executive committee

For a democratic and effective Socialist Alliance

The Socialist Alliance has grown and developed through our collective experience of the general election. We are now a registered political party and have the beginnings of a national profile, national leadership and we have our democratically agreed manifesto. To fight for our manifesto (which culminates in socialism), we must move beyond our present structures. We need an effective and therefore democratic organisation.

The Socialist Alliance is more than an electoral organisation. We need to take initiatives in all fields of society.

The Socialist Alliance should neither be bureaucratically controlled from above nor limited to an ineffective non-aggression pact.

We need democratic unity above and below. The SA needs clear central priorities with local autonomy and democratic rights for members.

The Socialist Alliance should strive for maximum unity in action through debate at the highest level involving a broad, wide-ranging and inclusive discussion. The Socialist Alliance should strive to ensure that all significant trends find representation on leading committees.

Making the Socialist Alliance an effective weapon in the struggle for socialism means that all members must enjoy the following rights:

freedom of opinion and expression;
the right to take part in the formation of Socialist Alliance policies;
the right to put oneself forward for and to take part in the selection of Socialist Alliance candidates;
the right to hold officers and representatives of the Socialist Alliance to account through democratic mechanisms;
the right to collectively recall all elected Socialist Alliance officers and committees;
the right to form distinct temporary or longer-term political platforms;
the right to read, write for and publicly distribute publications;
the right to information about Socialist Alliance activities;
the right to political education and socialist theory in the Socialist Alliance.

Initial signatories

Janine Booth (SA candidate, Islington South andFinsbury)
John Bridge (CPGB representative, SA Liaison Committee)
Anna Chen (Socialist Alliance press committee)
Dave Church (executive committee)
Lawrie Coombs (SA candidate, Stockton South)
Peter Grant (SA candidate, Salford; chair Manchester Piccadilly Aslef)
Marcus Larsen (chair, London Socialist Alliance; executive committee)
Mike Marqusee (executive committee)
Dave Osler (LSA steering committee)
Lee Rock (LSA steering committee; London regional secretary, PCSU)
Martin Thomas (executive committee)
Neil Thompson (SA candidate, St Helens South; chair region 9 FBU)
Nick Wrack (executive committee; chair Southwark Socialist Alliance)