- 11 articles on the SWP's political collapse into a decade of alliance with Islamic clerical fascism. Solidarity has commented on the SWP's ongoing political collapse at each stage.
- The "Reactionary Anti-Imperialists"
- The Prophet and the demoralised opportunists
- An open letter to Chris Harman of the SWP: Break with Galloway and the communalists
- How the "IS tradition" was shaped by the ILP
- The IS tradition and the birth of Respect - An open letter to a SWP leader
- The Sharia socialists
- Ms German replies to her critics
- Respect woos the Muslim vote
- Tony Cliff on the "Clerical-Fascist" Muslim Brotherhood
- The SWP and the"IS tradition"
- "Cover Your Heads", SWP Tells Protest Women
Comments
SWP and non-socialism
I am a female member of the SWP and very disappointed with the way the party has evolved. It has abandoned any relationship it had with socialism to make itself popular with its new friends at the BMA, etc, and it is increasingly hostile towards people who raise this as an issue - even its own members. There were a number of us, for example, who were extremely concerned at Galloway's anti-abortion views - an essential tenant of women's rights and an integral part of any socialist platform - and we've repeatedly been told to shut up on the topic. Same goes for LGT rights. The party has left any pretence at liberal policy behind. Why isn't it, as a supposedly left-wing party now - coming out with strong public statements in support of abortion rights at the moment, when a woman's right to choose is seriously under threat?
Does anyone know what John McDonnell's take on abortion is? I had a look on his website and this good website but couldn't find anything. This is a good website though, with stories on the campaign.
stories from John McDonnell's campaign
Don't know his veiws on abortion though
Socialism and the SWP
Given what you say above I'd encourage you to leave the SWP and consider joining the AWL - come to some of our events, talk to members and see what you think.
The SWP have moved a long way from what I recognise as socialism. In some ways this is tragic and it often makes the job of fighting for socialist ideas a lot harder than it should be. If you take the ideas of women's rights, LGBT liberation and working class politics seriously then get in touch.
TomU
From JMcD's campaign
I emailed John McDonnell's campaign for a resonpse, and here it is ...
Janine,
John is certainly a staunch supporter of women's right to choose and opposes all attempts to restrict reproductive rights. You will note that he has not signed Geraldine Smith's EDM which calls for a reduction in time limits. I can ask John for a direct quote to that effect if you need one.
There's no statement on the issue on the John4Leader website - but clearly there's thousands of policies which aren't mentioned due to space constraints. Over the coming weeks John will be putting up policy papers, including on his policies on gender equality, reproductive rights, etc.
In solidarity,
Owen Jones
And here it is
The Women's Manifesto, 'Women Rise Up!', has been drafted to begin a real discussion on how we address gender inequality. After consultation with women trade unionists, feminists, activists and various organisations, women in the campaign have developed an outline of a women's manifesto, with a number of key policy demands including:
ü Tackling women's poverty by challenging for equal pay and securing access to a decent pension for all women.
ü Improving childcare provision, maternity/paternity rights and financial support for home carers.
ü Repealing anti-trade union laws and introducing compulsory pay audits.
ü Ensuring a women's right to choose a free and safe abortion, maintaining the current time limit, and promoting women's health and enabling free access to IVF and safe childbirth.
ü Tackling violence against women, improving services and support for women who have suffered violence and rape.
ü Recognising formally the contribution women make to our economy in the wide variety of roles they play in our community.