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Manchester Withington Selection: Busy Day
Today, contact with four of the five final teams. Letter from Yogesh including her website. 'Phone conversation with Nargis aide. Mug of tea with Naheed. Stop The War meeting with Jenny assistant.
Also finalised Tomas in Hastings Half Marathon (Sunday), dropped son to Meech's basketball academy, took Tarus to lift for National Cross Country (Sunderland), picked up hoopster, signed up a Co-op Party member, some Private Eye story plotting, taking in a little Irish festival, a photocall with a dozen of Labour's 14 women council candidates for May, and moderately extensive dog walking.
Some catch up blogging to be done ...
13 comments:
Jesus, StWC suck.
It's just a campaign to keep the war going, provided that it is levelled against americans, secularists and LGB people.
Mmmm. Like Manchester Labour, Manchester StWC are different. I'm not sure I recognise your analysis in any case. Does not compute.
Tom
Bit harsh.
Today's meeting was a coordinating committee meeting for anti-war movements in Manchester.
The organisers had tried hard to get some anti-war Labour members there.
Hence Chris and I met there.
Also people from Green Party, CND, etc.
Hardly a bunch of anti-secularist and anti-LGB activists.
StWC isn't perfect - but what is.
It is the leading anti-war campaign so I think we have to engage with it enthusiatically to make it work.
Which is similar to my reason for staying in the Labour Party despite the pro-war leadership.
Great if Manchester STWC is great. I think what Tom means is how morally abhorrent he finds marches where socialists stand next to people glorifying Hezbollah and calling for the destruction of the state of Israel.
Adele
Are you suggesting that anti-war socialists should not attend anti-war demos just in case some other people turn up?
Adele: I think you should let Tom clarify his own comments.
It is indeed very uncomfortable to take part in demonstrations where some of those involved seem misguided sloganeers.
But in the case you cite there are wild eyed people making insulting generalisations and calling for blood in the counter demonstrations also.
The Israeli State's bombing of Lebanon was long-planned and had little to do with their premise of a couple of kidnapped soldiers.
It was very regrettable that our Prime Minister did not manage any commentary on for example the events at Cana. We are NOT all Hezbollah. We may ABHOR Hezbollah.
But that does not stop us believing that war and punitive bombing strikes largely killing civilians are not the way to go. And the same goes for the nuke strikes by Israel on Iran predicted in the New Year edition of The Spectator.
Details of peace protests in Manchester this week are posted here:
action-without-theory
I don't have time to argue the toss about this, elections to fight, however, I'll make some points on the issue when I've got a minute. You could be waiting ages
oh the irony of someone with a blog called 'action without theory' being dissed for being too talkative and not doing enough campaigning. Addle, you are a caution and no mistake!
Suspect Addle is after CP for his even-handed take on the Muddle East rather than Trident opposing Miles for being a stay-at-home campaigner?
CP is however doing well not to break secrets on the controversial student stuff!
The endorsement with menaces for the right-winger - including some untrue lines on other candidates (though let's forgive and forget as the perp did get an internship with the candidate).
The continued and unseemly alliance of student Labour with J-Soc which may be appropriate from time to time but not full time and certainly not in a way that excludes muslim students.
And - what is this - an alliance for SU elections between Tory, Fib Dem and Labour - I KID YOU NOT!!!!!
So leave CP alone Addle! Sort out Labour Students craziness instead.
Hi, I've finally got a minute, I apologise if this is incoherant. I haven't slept properly in days. All of this is said in my own name and nobody elses whatsoever. I apologise if this is a very long response.
I have very obvious problems with STWC. Namely that people who are anti war have to abide going on a march with people who glorify hezbollah, condone terrorism and actively call for the destruction of the state of Israel. Not after anyone, just debating their political take on things. My take on the middle east, doesn't make me right or left wing. I don't agree with everything Israel does, just like I don't agree with everything that the British Government does. However, I do take the belief that Israel has a right to exist, a right to defend itself and be secure, a right for its citizens to live free from the constant threat of terrorism and suicide bombings. And yes, I am a zionist, I'm not ashamed of it, its what I've grown up with. This doesn't make me pro Israel or Pro Palestine. Just pro peace. However, for peace to be realised Hamas must recognise the right of the state of Israel to exist.
Labour JSOC stuff has its roots in NUS rather than Manchester, where a shared belief in fighting oppression wherever it occured brought the two groups together. In Manchester, Labour and JSOC have traditionally worked together loosely because of the shared disgust at how our campus in what is a wanderfully tolerant city has become at times a difficult place for Jewish students. This has been part of an onslaught since 2000 when the union attempted to ban the Jewish society due to ''zionism''. Its difficult to comprehend; but when your whole community is under attack you fight back.
This has not been to the exclusion of Muslim students at all and anyone who is genuinely involved will know that. We have worked hard at interfaith relations and have Christians, Jews, Muslims and people of no faith working together to try and create a campus where everyone feels safe. We have also worked together on anti racism work to try and stem the tide of islamaphobia.
However, what I personally will not stand for is allowing groups like Hizb - But - Tahir to speak in our union, a group who openly say "The Jews are a people of slander''. I also will not stand for our University being twinned with a University that glorifies terrorism and openly recruits suicide bombers.
Labour students are standing up for labour values, which is more than the SWP ever manage. In terms of an alliance with the lib dems, I may not agree with everything they believe and we argue like hell. But, I know that they can genuinely be proud of everything they have done to involve students in politics, the tough choices and difficult decisions they have made, as well as the honesty, leadership and integrity they have shown.
Still hate their politics tho!
A good point.
For me, I would love to get involved with StWC, were it not for my disgust at the gay bashers and jew baiters who often attend.
I might as well march with Mussolini for trains that run on time, that elusive ambition that we both share.
I was well into StWC at the start, and for me, the war on Iraq was a defining moment in my political life. I have never felt more disgust at any other policy. I believe in a democratic Iraq, but I believe more in the 600,000 who have perished, and those people who are now punished by the elected theocratic tyranny which is now, in reaction to the foolish actions of the US and UK, in power. There is an alternative, and that is supporting people who deserve it, to do things for themselves.
However, that doesn't leave me demonstrating with bigots and warmongers. Some say victory to the resistance. I say victory to the hard working, fair minded and decent, unmilitarised Iraqi people, over anyone that happens to be running around outside with guns and bombs.
As for MULC and the Tories, according to the opposing Respect/ISoc slate, we're Tories anyway.
The Isoc are quite welcome to run candidates with us, but they are well known to prefer the trots. Their call.
Well said Tom. We'd welcome Muslim students standing on our slate, however we won't line up with anyone that supports the SWP. Sorry but its about defending labour values and being opportunistic just doesn't come into it.
In terms of what the union is doing in our name, get a copy of the JC tommorow or read last weeks JT and be disgusted I know I was.
I'm proud to unconditionally condemn terorism and to stand against all racism. Maybe I take things too personally but for me this is a major issue.
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