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Alan Story's avatar

It is worth having a read of this long piece in The Sunday Times: https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/texts-show-team-corbyn-opposed-new-party-minutes-after-launch-0phz8xm8z . I read it this morning 5 mins after I posted my own piece. I am not surprised by these behind the scenes moves. Since Sept. 2024 I have been writing about similar moves.

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Mike Glasgow Scotland's avatar

Those of us living in Scotland will take a lot of convincing that an England-based party can come up with a programme that both endorses the widespread support of the majority of younger people for national independence and the end of the UK state, and if it doesn't even support PR it's a dead duck. Meanwhile the fact the London-instructed sects are manoeuvring for position within the new party doesn't fill anyone with confidence after the unprincipled way they behaved when they were in the Scottish Socialist Party. Whether leopards can change their spots remains to be seen.

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Alan Story's avatar

Take your points Mike. Any thoughts on this piece last year on the SSP? https://theleftlane2024.substack.com/p/socialism-in-scotland-lessons-from

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J M Hatch's avatar

So the UK is going to get the British equivalent of the DSA(Democratic Socialist of America) for the DNC(Democrat National Committee).

The DSA is the kennel which breeds sheepdogs for the DNC.

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Alan Story's avatar

I take your point. I don't know how long you have been a reader of THE LEFT LANE. Since Sept. 2024, we have been extremely critical ( with evidence) of this formation and how it is being built; see e.g. https://theleftlane2024.substack.com/p/an-open-letter-to-collective-leadership. However, alternatives are thin on the ground. Do you have views on this? I personally have no time for the sects e.g. SWP. More critical articles are coming, including one today ( 9 July.) Do consider writing one yourself. TLL is all about debate.

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J M Hatch's avatar

I'm not all that convinced about debate in a hot house, that's how the DSA functions, or at least the NYC DSA. That's how it functions to help the DNC. Garland Nixon inputs on this with a UK guest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBWbXdmUK0Y

Maybe pick some existing organs that actually go into the streets and help them help communities is a way to gather support. My primary concern with the UK is that it's long fingers still fuck with Canada, where I live.

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Alan Story's avatar

I am not sure that telling a 77-year Marxist from Canada -- lived here since 1995 --- that he is acting like the DSA is a very telling criticism.

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J M Hatch's avatar

When you find him, you will know him.

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Phil Saxby's avatar

Im amused to hear that Farge is using proportional representation to bludgeon the Tories as power-hungry and corrupt. Maybe the new Left party will do the same to Starmer's Labour Party?

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Howard Voris's avatar

We definitely have to seriously promote PR.

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Alan Story's avatar

Agree 100%.

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MigT's avatar

Definitely get Richard Murphy on the case. If it's to be more than a protest party, it'll need fiscal and monetary policy, and coherent answers to "How will you pay for it?" The MSM and most of the public won't care about its Gaza stance.

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Alan Story's avatar

MigT: But will this bunch reach out to people like Richard?. ++++ Even if a significant % of the people won't care about Gaza, it is the job of socialists and internationalists to raise this issue.

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MigT's avatar

Sure, but if that's all it's about, it won't even succeed at that.

Re Murphy, I think he used to advise Corbyn but disagreed with McDonnell. Not sure who "this bunch" are, other than Corbyn and Sultana.

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Dr Larry O'Hara's avatar

Very useful as usual. I would point out that Benn’s five questions were primarily addressed to the EU, which (like me) he abhorred…

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Alan Story's avatar

Thanks Larry. I only moved here in 1995 from Canada... so there are some gaps in my knowledge prior to that date.

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Alan Story's avatar

The fallout continues. Some good points here: https://prometheusjournal.org/2025/07/07/just-launch-the-thing/

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Ahmad Sulvi Fafiru's avatar

I hope the new left-wing party not anti-ethnicity, religion, and race.

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Alan Story's avatar

Ahmad: Thanks for that ... and for subscribing. Can you please explain in a bit more detail? Alan

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Ahmad Sulvi Fafiru's avatar

I mean this new left-wing party which was formed by Jeremy Corbin and Zara Sultana.

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Nancy Brown's avatar

Sadly, this is fiction. But imagine: a party with moral clarity, working-class grit, and policies that actually make sense: https://resistancepropaganda.substack.com/p/zarah-sultana-and-jeremy-corbyn-launch

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Shaggy Snodgrass's avatar

Well, this seems like more toe-dipping, + working up the nerve to submerge one foot. Better than nothing; but one wonders what (or who) they're afraid of.

Mamdani won the NYC Mayoral primary bc he laid 2-3 "big cards" on the table; those 'cards' being clear, concrete ideas that ordinary New Yorkers think would help them. He did that without trying to pre-proof those cards against criticism; + he spent his time communicating those 'cards' effectively and unapologetically, + the critics and howlers couldn't blunt that approach, even with oceans more words than he used.

The people who can do this for a British left party are the people that can win; + then the Corbyn circle will have to decide for themselves if they are a.) following;

or b.) getting left behind.

3 big, fat, leftist cards; that you owe no one to your right in the political class excuses or rationalizations for.

Mamdani went from <5% in polling to the 43-some % he won with, doing that.

Something to consider.

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William Bowles's avatar

Too little, too late

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Alan Story's avatar

Let's all jump off a bridge instead.

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