tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5908220527644712259.post4262839855068097649..comments2024-03-27T00:12:52.640-07:00Comments on International Socialism: When Is a Conference Not a Conference? International Socialismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15884867913095807179noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5908220527644712259.post-48045294818023758912019-12-23T08:00:01.243-08:002019-12-23T08:00:01.243-08:00It's nice that you can still find such cool ar...It's nice that you can still find such cool articles.<br />Modern IT technologies <a href="https://pro4people.com/medical-device-software-development/" rel="nofollow">www.pro4people.com/medical-device-software-development/</a>Piotr LAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03882320988976372331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5908220527644712259.post-83051756839459275242019-12-23T07:39:30.375-08:002019-12-23T07:39:30.375-08:00This comment has been removed by the author.Piotr LAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03882320988976372331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5908220527644712259.post-47606160879131187122013-03-11T00:58:24.750-07:002013-03-11T00:58:24.750-07:00Sorry to hear that one of the signatories to this ...Sorry to hear that one of the signatories to this post has already left the party, although Bog knows I can't fault his reasons.<br /><br />Awful result, of course - perhaps even worse than expected. I think all you can do now is to start acting as if a reformed party was already a reality. Hopefully many beyond the Platform itself will be with you.Philhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07009879034507926661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5908220527644712259.post-87518784680177460592013-02-14T09:02:21.429-08:002013-02-14T09:02:21.429-08:00Thank you for this important article.
Today I had...Thank you for this important article.<br /><br />Today I had a letter published in 'Weekly Worker', mainly about the consequences of the CC calling a Special Conference in violation of the SWP Constitution, but also importantly discussing the abuse that comrades are being subjected to by supporters of the Permanent Callinicos Faction (Undeclared). www.cpgb.org.uk<br /><br />I have just made an extended comment on these 2 matters, but placed it not here but on the 'Stop the Bullying!' page coz of the urgency of that matter, & the need to build support in the labour & socialist movement to stop it happening.<br /><br />I also comment at socialistunity.com as Jara Handala coz that is my name. The day the members take back their Party I shall turn around, just as my Palestinian comrade will himself turn around one day.<br /><br />Lotta continua!<br /><br /><br />Jara Handalahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17698670327995341251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5908220527644712259.post-71287440275770948332013-02-13T13:50:11.030-08:002013-02-13T13:50:11.030-08:00David, you are manifesting symptoms of a problem w...David, you are manifesting symptoms of a problem we've often encountered in this messy process: shooting the messenger. Observe:<br /><br />You accuse us of perpetrating a "disgusting slur" by referring to "the culture wherein female comrades could be so badly treated". And yet these comrades have been badly treated by the party. This is indisputable. Not only in the formal procedures, but also in the whispering campaigns, and the bullying that followed. That such behaviour is possible demands attention to its roots and causes if it is to be halted, and due amends made. The fact that you are so angry at us for pointing out this obvious fact suggests that you are still in a phase of denial. Take some time to reflect on what has actually happened, and you will see that your anger is misdirected.<br /><br />Another symptomatic aspect of your post is the reiteration of red herrings that have come directly from the CC. You say we wanted a recall conference, but couldn't get enough branches. This is actually untrue. We campaigned for a special conference, which is not the same thing as a recall conference. That's what the branches passed motions for. Then the CC imposed an arbitrary and unconstitutional deadline, to ensure that the sufficient number of motions would not be passed, and got the NC to ratify it. It is only because of the considerable support that the faction attracted that the decision changed.<br /><br />But before the special conference was declared, we wrote that we rejected this arbitrary and unconstitutional deadline, and we explicitly called for a special conference with the full preconference debating period. We did so for a reason. As the CC themselves tacitly acknowledge by their misdirections on the issue of democratic centralism, the mishandling of this case adverts to wider questions of party democracy and its perspectives. In order for this discussion to be had, all members need time not just to digest the substance of the 'controversy', but actually to reflect on and debate the wider ramifications. Certainly, we have seen that the CC are prepared to use party publications and party communications to attack the opposition on a wide range of issues that aren't directly to do with the matter of the disputes committee's failures or the culture of bullying and authoritarianism surrounding it. The period for a proper debate along these lines usually is three months, for good reason.<br /><br />You ask if we think members are "incapable of reaching decisions in under three months". Of course we don't think that. They can reach decisions in two minutes if they wish to. Whether they will have been given sufficient information and time to develop perspectives, discuss the issues with comrades, submit motions, elect delegates, etc etc., is another issue. But if you think three months is too long for a debate about the worst crisis in the party's history, why don't you say that about every preconference period when the stakes are considerably lower? Surely, reductio ad absurdum, every preconference discussion is too long, and by implication an insult to the intelligence of party members? At any rate, we think it is more than reasonable to err on the side of having a full debate when the party is in such a state, rather than on the side of trying to hammer the lid on the crisis in a rushed fashion.<br /><br />Finally, you ask if we think we will attract people to our platform by saying what we have. We have always said what we are saying now, and we constitute about a quarter of the faction. It is precisely by saying what we say that we have contributed to opening up this debate, and that we have attracted the support we do have. And if you are a member of the faction, you should think about what the faction itself has said about the preconference period. You really should consider whether what you're saying is going to help the faction achieve its goals, or whether it is simply a form of lashing out. It appears to be the latter at this point.International Socialismhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15884867913095807179noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5908220527644712259.post-89956313357279891002013-02-13T09:39:36.591-08:002013-02-13T09:39:36.591-08:00I think its a huge mistake to imagine that beating...I think its a huge mistake to imagine that beating up on DR will build the faction. johnghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16778364379788486508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5908220527644712259.post-91476774368307232182013-02-13T09:15:46.367-08:002013-02-13T09:15:46.367-08:00Oh for pity’s sake! Do you have any idea what this...Oh for pity’s sake! Do you have any idea what this pathetic whining sounds like to most members?<br /><br />First of all you want a recall conference, but can’t get enough branches to support your position. Then you twist a clause in the constitution designed to ensure supporters of the CC/NC can’t set up a faction. And now you have the conference, that’s not good enough – you want members to go through another three months of this agony!<br /><br />Surprise, surprise! The CC is going to argue for its position and ask the conference to endorse it. How Stalinist of them! (sarcasm, just in case…)<br /><br />Well we have the miracle of the internet so any member who’s remotely interested can find out all about the controversy with the click of a mouse. We also get the opportunity to state our position in an Internal Bulletin direct to every member. Do we really need three bulletins to make a point? On top of that there’ll be aggregates in every district with factions given the right to address members in person.<br /><br />You say the CC has a low opinion of SWP members, but do you really think we’re incapable of reaching decisions in under three months? <br /><br />Speaking of low opinions of SWP members how much lower can you get than suggesting we have a culture tolerant of rape and harassment?* Do you really think making such a disgusting slur in a public forum (or even a private one) will have members rushing to join your platform?<br /><br />As a member of the IDOOP faction I’m having to reconsider my position. I really don’t like the company I’m keeping.<br /><br />David Allen<br /><br />* “we must rectify the culture wherein female comrades could be so badly treated” paragraph 9, Statement of the Democratic Renewal Platform, this website.<br />DaveAllenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03025784949438592712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5908220527644712259.post-64380487787706700872013-02-13T07:40:11.840-08:002013-02-13T07:40:11.840-08:00a) basically means you get less votes than spaces ...a) basically means you get less votes than spaces so that there is room for minority opinions to be elected, i.e 15 seats, 10 votes. If you had a vote per seat the majority would win all the seats. <br /><br />b) yes, and there are lots of other things to deal with but we should not do them all at once, if district organisers know democracy is going to include them in a year or two they have a chance to start to behave accordingly, if you elect them immediatly it is a bit of a recipe for chaos.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10822193053157926034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5908220527644712259.post-20101378768071502782013-02-13T06:09:42.238-08:002013-02-13T06:09:42.238-08:00(a) I don't understand the second sentence of ...(a) I don't understand the second sentence of 1.<br /><br />(b) You need to have a proposal about district organisers; from what I've read they're a key link in the chain (or two chains - transmission of uniformity in the party, perpetuation of the CC over time).Philhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07009879034507926661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5908220527644712259.post-75574443153292093272013-02-13T04:35:36.104-08:002013-02-13T04:35:36.104-08:00So "What is to be done", we should think...So "What is to be done", we should think practicalities, as a starter might I suggest 5 basic and very simple motions be put to conference. (I am an ex-member who left because of concerns about bureaucracy and behaviour, not politics).<br /><br />1 The CC, DC and NC to be elected at conference by majority vote, each branch to have 1 vote per member in good standing divided equally between delegates. The number of times each delegate votes shall be twice for every three members of the CC to be elected.<br /><br />2 Members may discuss within and without the party all policies and decisions of conference but may not act against those decisions or identify any member who may be put at risk by being identified.<br /><br />3 Delegates to be elected at branch meetings by majority vote, each branch member will have one vote less than the number of delegates to be elected. Branches are entitled to one delegate per 5 members in good standing, minimum of 2.<br /><br />4 No CC member shall be an employee of the party by virtue of being on the CC.<br /><br />5 All party committees to be re-elected at this conference under the new rules.<br /><br />This should protect minority rights without the need for permanent factions, any decent well organised minority opinion should get some representation on the various committees and minorities in Branches be able to get some delegates. No need to have permanent factions, and there will be a right to factions without the need for faction rights that can cause disputes to be ossified. (I am on this committee due to this dispute, better keep the dispute going to stay on this committee.)<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10822193053157926034noreply@blogger.com