Way forward?

There has been so much debate around Respect/SWP and the political trajectory of the Left overall. What do we do? How can we move forward?

Firstly, I think we need to move on from the in/out LP argument. We need to find ways in bringing comrades together to build a cohesive and strong left as people are active in different ways in fighting for socialism.


Secondly, there has to be less dogmatism, control, bureaucracy and more openess, fluidity and looser structures. Because we need a better way of discussing, engaging and sharing ideas other than the usual way the Left likes to educate the members.

A pluralistic and democratic left that builds and develops comrades confidence and creativity not following the usual line etched in stone (the same inevitable line that is followed forever more).

How do you bring the anti-war activists, tenants fighting against privatisation and the leftie individual who wants to get involved but doesn't know how to? How do we bring together scattered lefties? How do we create a cohesive response to New Labour and the rampant neo-liberal project?


One idea is something along lines of the World Social Forum (WSF) and the European Social Forum (ESF). They could be local, regional and/or national, start off small and try and build it by a possible viral process (spreading ideas that adapt and change...cross pollination).

For a start, it could bring together international struggles and link up with campaigns whether it is trade unions campaigning around migrant rights, housing, anti-war and liberation politics. These groups could forge links with activists and a free flow of ideas could evolve. The functioning would be pluralistic that would try and stop group(s) dominating the forums. If there was enough of a critical mass of activists then the usual trot and or tank domination would probably be minimal (it may even have an influence on their own political functioning and practice).


These are ideas off the top of my head and they're still evolving.... watch this space...