Respectcoalition: Muslims Need To Take Part

Posted this earlier in response to Cllr Salma Yaqoob (Respect) who has a Comment is Free piece today.

There is an interesting animated history map of the region which I referred to here yesterday having been put on to it by Iain Dale.

In essence I agree with Salma Yaqoob that everyone should take an interest in, recognise, and take part in Holocaust Memorial Day. Each of us can consider the historic and present day killings we choose as well as the Holocaust itself and by our being together with others with their own various priorities of memory we can unite together in condemning these killings and in working together to end the Might Makes Right meme.

Martin Amis wrote this a few days after 11 September 2001 coming up with the concept of "species consciousness" which I empathised with. I don't think I've ever read one of his books, and he is a bit of a loose cannon at times in interviews, but that was I think a useful thought.

Being a member of Labour Against The War which was set up in 2001, and a supporter of Unite Against Fascism and other campaigns I often work together with members of Respect and the independent left, occasionally speak on platforms with them when no one better at it is available, march with them, welcome asylum seekers with them.

But at times this is difficult. Protesting against Israeli strafeing (the word means punishing by the way) of targets in Southern Lebanon is one thing. But I do not support the placards or chants of "We are all Hezbollah now" or "From the river to the sea" any more than I support the ritual manic Zionist counter demonstration. Except on free speech grounds. But can't people of good will sometimes exercise their freedom to hold their tongues?

So often we hear the same discourse from all sides. It boils down to: "We're right and you're wrong. Talk is not getting us anywhere. Might makes right. So take that." The kind of "Freedom" which means ten people can make five people do whatever they like is a horrendous kind of freedom.

Now a digression. I reached Salma's comment via this unrelated item on the Respect website. I think this helps illustrate the problem which this coalition faces. They claim: New Labour in Tower Hamlets supports Sexploitation. But this claim is not supported by the facts they give.

Five weeks ago (but this is new on the news page!) the Labour Group voted not to debate an opposition motion. An entirely different matter. There are few ruling groups of any colour that pass opposition motions as submitted. Generally these are amended out of existence or procedurally stymied.

Another such case may comes along when the Preston Respect group of one tries to debate Trident today. Perhaps not. We'll see. But this was I think part of what was going on when a popular call for an Iraq enquiry, but from nationalist parties didn't make its quota. With George Galloway I think sadly among the absentees. Again.

If and when Respect have a significant part in a ruling coalition - perhaps one day with the Tories in Tower Hamlets eh Salma? - they will be in the position where their side gets to decide whether to debate the motion from the Greens, the Lib Dems or indeed Labour. Or not. Whether they agree with the sentiments or not chances are that they too will amend beyond recognition or also procedurally stymie.