Comments on: Invitation to be part of a Convention of The Left http://conventionoftheleft.org.uk/2008/02/13/invitation-to-be-part-of-a-convention-of-the-left/ Manchester 20-25th September 2008 Thu, 28 Aug 2008 04:40:00 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.1 By: Jason http://conventionoftheleft.org.uk/2008/02/13/invitation-to-be-part-of-a-convention-of-the-left/#comment-33 Jason Mon, 03 Mar 2008 20:02:37 +0000 http://conventionoftheleft.org.uk/2008/02/13/invitation-to-be-part-of-a-convention-of-the-left/#comment-33 Well exactly- this is the sort of fertile idea that such a convention is meant to engender! Any ideas on hpw you might start- perhaps use this site a sa bit of a message-board and in mean-time get out there and start some networking? Jason Well exactly- this is the sort of fertile idea that such a convention is meant to engender!

Any ideas on hpw you might start- perhaps use this site a sa bit of a message-board and in mean-time get out there and start some networking?

Jason

]]> By: Danny http://conventionoftheleft.org.uk/2008/02/13/invitation-to-be-part-of-a-convention-of-the-left/#comment-32 Danny Mon, 03 Mar 2008 19:59:03 +0000 http://conventionoftheleft.org.uk/2008/02/13/invitation-to-be-part-of-a-convention-of-the-left/#comment-32 I think this is a good, and timely, idea. The only thing I'd add is that many like minded people with other commitments will not be able to spend a day in Manchester being part of this. We could do with thinking about putting people in touch with each other to set up local networks along similiar lines. I think this is a good, and timely, idea.

The only thing I’d add is that many like minded people with other commitments will not be able to spend a day in Manchester being part of this.

We could do with thinking about putting people in touch with each other to set up local networks along similiar lines.

]]> By: Jason http://conventionoftheleft.org.uk/2008/02/13/invitation-to-be-part-of-a-convention-of-the-left/#comment-31 Jason Mon, 03 Mar 2008 18:01:30 +0000 http://conventionoftheleft.org.uk/2008/02/13/invitation-to-be-part-of-a-convention-of-the-left/#comment-31 Some interesting ideas from Trevor. Come along and join in the deabtes and protests! meanwhile keep posting here. I agree that excessive focus on elections is not the way forward and agree with capacity building and networks of resistance. On what sort of movement do we need, I've written my two-pennorrth here http://permanentrevolution.net/?view=entry&entry=1961 Cheers Jason Some interesting ideas from Trevor.

Come along and join in the deabtes and protests! meanwhile keep posting here.

I agree that excessive focus on elections is not the way forward and agree with capacity building and networks of resistance.

On what sort of movement do we need, I’ve written my two-pennorrth here
http://permanentrevolution.net/?view=entry&entry=1961

Cheers

Jason

]]> By: Trevor Bark http://conventionoftheleft.org.uk/2008/02/13/invitation-to-be-part-of-a-convention-of-the-left/#comment-30 Trevor Bark Sat, 01 Mar 2008 19:51:23 +0000 http://conventionoftheleft.org.uk/2008/02/13/invitation-to-be-part-of-a-convention-of-the-left/#comment-30 Everybody must stop being 'Precious' The usual suspects have done similar things for years. They have to bite the bullet and get others involved, and drop some assumptions and any pretentions to leadership. Passing motions, leadership positions and so on. The focus MUST be class struggle and building capacity. What matters is orientation and plans to move forward and grow outside of their bubble. Just saying they want to is not enough, there must be practical plans. I think they should also stop obsessing about elections, given the position of weakness it is premature to go for 2009 because by itself it stops the politics of practical growth and making socialists. Just cos someone votes for you does not mean they are a socialist. Instead the focus should not be local, national/general or european elections in 2009, the target for them perhaps should be 2013/14. Although i am not totally dismissing electoral work, when eg. it maybe useful in anti BNP work. In the meantime all efforts should focus on capacity building, networking, and class struggle. Only in that way can theory attempt to join with practice in a realistic and not a premature way, and serious attempts at different politics can be properly assessed. I would like to be placed on the email list for organising this event if you could be so kind. Here is Mayday magazine issue 1, the next left;) http://platypus1917.home.comcast.net/~platypus1917/mayday_uk_issue1_win2007-08.pdf Also Platypus1917 are a very good Marxist group (in USA) which you should all checkout Everybody must stop being ‘Precious’

The usual suspects have done similar things for years. They have to bite the bullet and get others involved, and drop some assumptions and any pretentions to leadership. Passing motions, leadership positions and so on.

The focus MUST be class struggle and building capacity. What matters is orientation and plans to move forward and grow outside of their bubble. Just saying they want to is not enough, there must be practical plans.

I think they should also stop obsessing about elections, given the position of weakness it is premature to go for 2009 because by itself it stops the politics of practical growth and making socialists. Just cos someone votes for you does not mean they are a socialist.

Instead the focus should not be local, national/general or european elections in 2009, the target for them perhaps should be 2013/14. Although i am not totally dismissing electoral work, when eg. it maybe useful in anti BNP work. In the meantime all efforts should focus on capacity building, networking, and class struggle. Only in that way can theory attempt to join with practice in a realistic and not a premature way, and serious attempts at different politics can be properly assessed.

I would like to be placed on the email list for organising this event if you could be so kind.

Here is Mayday magazine issue 1, the next left;)

http://platypus1917.home.comcast.net/~platypus1917/mayday_uk_issue1_win2007-08.pdf

Also Platypus1917 are a very good Marxist group (in USA) which you should all checkout

]]> By: Jason http://conventionoftheleft.org.uk/2008/02/13/invitation-to-be-part-of-a-convention-of-the-left/#comment-21 Jason Mon, 25 Feb 2008 23:03:11 +0000 http://conventionoftheleft.org.uk/2008/02/13/invitation-to-be-part-of-a-convention-of-the-left/#comment-21 I;ve written a little piece extracted below: Brown's New Labour circus and its associated troupes of advisers, commercial lobbyists, hangers-on and power-mad wannabes, is coming to town, September 2008. But this year, socialists, shut out of the conference and the party, are planning our very own welcoming event- a counter conference and protest. Amidst the razzmatazz, the ragamuffins are coming up, out of the gutters to take a snipe, and to speak truth to power. And- to give power to our truths- we’ll be holding our very own conference to discuss how to get control and meaning back in our own lives. Because one thing’s for certain- there won’t be anything even approaching meaningful discussion in the hallowed halls of New Labour’s micro-managed control culture conference. But fear not (unless you happen to be a New Labour functionary casually glancing through these pages): we’re coming out of the sidelines to steal the show! Now that war is declared and battle come down, Manchester is calling to the underworld! conitinues here http://www.permanentrevolution.net/?view=entry&entry=1941 I;ve written a little piece extracted below:
Brown’s New Labour circus and its associated troupes of advisers, commercial lobbyists, hangers-on and power-mad wannabes, is coming to town, September 2008. But this year, socialists, shut out of the conference and the party, are planning our very own welcoming event- a counter conference and protest.

Amidst the razzmatazz, the ragamuffins are coming up, out of the gutters to take a snipe, and to speak truth to power. And- to give power to our truths- we’ll be holding our very own conference to discuss how to get control and meaning back in our own lives.

Because one thing’s for certain- there won’t be anything even approaching meaningful discussion in the hallowed halls of New Labour’s micro-managed control culture conference.

But fear not (unless you happen to be a New Labour functionary casually glancing through these pages): we’re coming out of the sidelines to steal the show!

Now that war is declared and battle come down, Manchester is calling to the underworld!

conitinues here http://www.permanentrevolution.net/?view=entry&entry=1941

]]> By: Jason http://conventionoftheleft.org.uk/2008/02/13/invitation-to-be-part-of-a-convention-of-the-left/#comment-18 Jason Sun, 24 Feb 2008 20:14:49 +0000 http://conventionoftheleft.org.uk/2008/02/13/invitation-to-be-part-of-a-convention-of-the-left/#comment-18 Good first meeting- very open, very positive, but acknowledging that we have to win new forces to the left. All in all, a good start I think. More here http://permanentrevolution.net/?view=entry&entry=1937 Good first meeting- very open, very positive, but acknowledging that we have to win new forces to the left.

All in all, a good start I think. More here http://permanentrevolution.net/?view=entry&entry=1937

]]> By: Peter Allen http://conventionoftheleft.org.uk/2008/02/13/invitation-to-be-part-of-a-convention-of-the-left/#comment-17 Peter Allen Sat, 23 Feb 2008 12:41:28 +0000 http://conventionoftheleft.org.uk/2008/02/13/invitation-to-be-part-of-a-convention-of-the-left/#comment-17 Jonny There is a need for a youth focus. Unfortunately most of us who have been involved in the convention initiative so far are by no means young. You would be very welcome to come to our next meeting (Friends Meeting House Manchester Sunday 24 Feb at 3.00pm) or alternatively/additionally please contribute to our discussion via this blog. regards Peter Jonny

There is a need for a youth focus. Unfortunately most of us who have been involved in the convention initiative so far are by no means young. You would be very welcome to come to our next meeting (Friends Meeting House Manchester Sunday 24 Feb at 3.00pm) or alternatively/additionally please contribute to our discussion via this blog.

regards

Peter

]]> By: jonny favorite http://conventionoftheleft.org.uk/2008/02/13/invitation-to-be-part-of-a-convention-of-the-left/#comment-10 jonny favorite Wed, 20 Feb 2008 12:54:17 +0000 http://conventionoftheleft.org.uk/2008/02/13/invitation-to-be-part-of-a-convention-of-the-left/#comment-10 At a time when New Labour is attacking youth culture and criminalising young people, when goths and skateboarders are subject of attacks by feral youth and young people are being sent to their death not just in Iraq with the war but also London and Manchester, and Leeds with knife crime surely there is a need for a focus on youth issues? At a time when New Labour is attacking youth culture and criminalising young people, when goths and skateboarders are subject of attacks by feral youth and young people are being sent to their death not just in Iraq with the war but also London and Manchester, and Leeds with knife crime surely there is a need for a focus on youth issues?

]]> By: Neil Williams http://conventionoftheleft.org.uk/2008/02/13/invitation-to-be-part-of-a-convention-of-the-left/#comment-8 Neil Williams Wed, 20 Feb 2008 12:16:13 +0000 http://conventionoftheleft.org.uk/2008/02/13/invitation-to-be-part-of-a-convention-of-the-left/#comment-8 Is it a national event for all? Will there be a social programe as well as a politcal programme? Well done everyone - sounds wonderful - cant wait to go (note to my diary: book some accommodation fast!) Neil Is it a national event for all? Will there be a social programe as well as a politcal programme?

Well done everyone - sounds wonderful - cant wait to go (note to my diary: book some accommodation fast!)

Neil

]]> By: Clive Searle http://conventionoftheleft.org.uk/2008/02/13/invitation-to-be-part-of-a-convention-of-the-left/#comment-7 Clive Searle Wed, 13 Feb 2008 09:29:44 +0000 http://conventionoftheleft.org.uk/2008/02/13/invitation-to-be-part-of-a-convention-of-the-left/#comment-7 Please feel free to add your comments and suggestions. Over the coming weeks and months we will add more content for discussions and debate. Please feel free to add your comments and suggestions. Over the coming weeks and months we will add more content for discussions and debate.

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