DON'T VOTE AGAINST STARMER VOTE FOR MARXIST STRATEGY - Weekly Worker
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A paper of Marxist polemic and Marxist unity
Mike Macnair: legislation to n Letters and debate
n GB News buffoonery
‘protect free speech’ is part n US Marxist Unity Slate
of Tory ongoing culture wars n Deniz Poyraz killing
No 1353 June 24 2021 Towards a mass Communist Party £1/€1.10
Batley and Spen:
DON’T VOTE AGAINST STARMER
VOTE FOR MARXIST STRATEGY
2 June 24 2021 1353 worker
weekly
LETTERS
are building a partition wall between delegate conference being held as a result, taken out of national happy-clappy atmosphere, where
Letters may have been South Asian heritage British subjects online (Covid prevented it being strike action over pay. The HMRC everyone just does whatever
shortened because of
space. Some names
and their families and friends in the held at all in 2020) and most of has been vicious against PCS the NEC proclaims is good for
may have been changed subcontinent. Can they succeed? my misgivings were correct. reps, trying to get them sacked. the PCS - rather like the Labour
Even the partition wall of Starmer’s Although branches this time could It is hypocritical for Serwotka to Party and the TUC then. The
friends in the Israeli state, in spite register as many delegates as they condemn ‘fire and rehire’, whilst NEC elections, the motions from
Anti-Semitism? of splitting families and forbidding wanted, only one for each branch accepting the deal for worse terms the NEC and restrictions on
Those who receive circular the cohabitation of Palestinians with could actually vote and every and conditions. membership democracy represent
reminders from Labour HQ will their spouses, have not yet succeeded vote was based on their branch Then there was the Labour a clear move to the right - and to
have seen this recent pep-message: in destroying the Palestinian and membership. This means the NEC Party. Previous PCS policy was think this is where Mark Serwotka
“Polling day is a week away, and indeed the entire Arab community. could simply rally their largest to recommend members vote for came in, when the rightwing
every party is focused on the Batley Can the “100% Zionist - no ifs, no branches to get their favoured a Corbyn-led government (even ‘moderates’ controlled the PCS at
and Spen parliamentary by-election. buts” Starmer succeed in inflicting motions through and I think though the PCS is not affiliated to its formation.
“We know the Tories will be such damage on British subjects? this happened a few times. At a any party, past conferences having Dave Vincent
digging into their deep pockets As for the libel that all British physical conference delegates can voted against affiliating to either Manchester
to splash out on advertising. We Muslims are anti-Semitic, I have see the hall and the balance of Labour or Momentum). Clearly
know that George Galloway will be seen no evidence that this piece of voting for and against, but now this policy needs revising. There Overkill
cosying up to people in a community carefully anonymous Goebbelsry all we could see was either the were no motions wanting us to Readers can decide for themselves
he’s barely spent a month in. has been repudiated. president, Fran Heathcote, calling affiliate to Labour under Starmer, about Daniel Lazare’s argument
“But we have the force of our Perhaps the Labour Party game for delegates to vote/move/speak nor urging a vote for Labour. that the firing of Jeffrey Toobin - a
movement, thousands of Labour plan is to outdo Thomas Mair, the on motions or the speaker on the NEC Motion A38 suggests leading writer for the New Yorker
members who, just like Kim - our local ‘premature’ advocate and motion under debate. conducting a reassessment of our magazine until accidentally
incredible candidate - care about the practitioner of Red Wall politics. Motions were decided by policy concerning parliamentary, caught on camera fondling
community.” It would, and perhaps will, be branch memberships, so we could mayoral and council elections for himself in a Zoom session with
Arguably, the activities of interesting to learn. My personal not see or be told how many a further decision in 2022. The colleagues - is a major symptom
Galloway - who has shown good take is (slightly) more charitable: it delegates voted for or against assessment will concern itself of ruling class decline (‘Paralysis
taste in praising at least one is the imperial instincts that make motions. No emergency motions with how political campaigning of ruling elite’ Weekly Worker
Weekly Worker letter analysing Labour secretaries of state (actual were allowed and all delegates can assist members to win June 17). I am rather writing to
anti-Semitism and its purported or shadow) yearn to be ‘honest wishing to speak on a motion disputes, how this could build take issue with his assertion that
opponents (December 10 2020), and brokers’ re Palestine, Africa, had to register in advance. So our union, etc, and might take us Christine Blasey Ford’s 2018
who has spent time canvassing and Northern Ireland and indeed some only the president knew who back to seeing which candidates accusation of attempted rape
then representing many Muslims voters in Batley and Spen - not to they were - we didn’t know how support PCS policies. against Donald Trump’s Supreme
in Bradford and indeed in Tower mention the West Midlands. Many many of those wishing to speak Criticism was made at Court nominee, Brett Kavanaugh
Hamlets - are far less pernicious than will find that Kim Leadbeater’s local were called. And delegates who conference that PCS had dropped - since elevated to the court - was
those of the longstanding Yorkshire and professedly unpolitical history decided they wanted to respond to this policy in favour of simply “no more convincing than what
tyke, Keir Starmer, who has put does not stop them from finding points made during a debate could supporting all Labour candidates liberals had to say about Russian
up a “senior Labour official” to her “incredible”. The solar topee not then ask to speak. in the 2019 general election - collusion …” On the contrary, I
rubbish Muslims (and us), depicting or pit helmet do not suit genuine Conference did discuss the even those on the right hostile to found Blasey Ford’s accusation
them as collectively anti-Semitic. democrats - nor does prating about move to a Zoom conference, Corbyn. So the PCS focus will no eminently believable.
You may have noticed a fairly full the ‘White Man’s Burden’ (second criticising the undermining of longer be just on what the Labour The absence of corroborating
account in the Groaniad (June 21), edition). membership democracy, but that Party is doing and tying us to them testimony in this case was hardly
which clams that Starmer’s “stated Jack Fogarty motion was lost. alone. Good! Interestingly the out of the ordinary. Rape is
intention” is not allowing an “issue email Readers may know that general Morning Star on June 14 carried seldom attempted in the presence
of the subcontinent to divide secretary Mark Serwotka’s a feature by Ian Hodson, the of witnesses, and the only other
communities here ...” Voters there Moving right previous open interference in the BFAWU union president, stating person said to have been at the
may well recall the speed with Although I’m in the retired section elections for assistant general that a majority of its members do crime scene was a male classmate
which Starmer endorsed Modi’s of PCS members, I was able to secretary had split Left Unity not trust Labour now or think they of Kavanaugh’s, Mark Judge,
breach of the constitution of India observe the union conference held down the middle, with a new represent their interests or values. whom Blasey Ford alleged to
and of international agreements on June 13‑14. group called Broad Left Network Most would not vote Labour if be his accomplice (Blasey Ford
about Kashmir. I have written previously about (BLN) of mainly Socialist they still promise another EU testified that she knew Kavanaugh
So Starmer and the Labour Party the arrangements for the annual Party members and ‘Socialist referendum. I think a similar and Judge - then students at a
View’, being Serwotka loyalists. survey of members should be boys’ school near the Maryland
The unprincipled pact called taken by Unite, Unison and the girls’ school she attended - by
Online Communist Forum Democracy Alliance (Left Unity
and PCS Democrats) dominated
GMB.
Turning to the strategic
name at the time of the incident).
Judge’s subsequent failure to
the NEC elections as usual, with future of the union, I previously remember the event was therefore
14 new members getting elected. thought that the NEC would drive hardly remarkable.
BLN had some limited success, through a merger with Unite, Nor was it suspicious that Ford
but overall lost some previous but the leadership has decided to could not recollect the address
places, The Independent Left persevere with PCS for a while of the beer-drenched soirée at
(dominated by the Alliance for (motion A9) - £1.4 million has which the assault was alleged
Workers’ Liberty) went their own been saved due to using Zoom to have taken place, or the route
way again. instead of physical meetings, so by which she got there or went
Let me go through the main there is no longer any urgency home. It is understandable that
motions I found of interest. As apparently. Motion A9 listed the particulars of the assault -
usual Mark Serwotka, with his the areas where we are looking being forced into a bedroom by
fan club on the national executive to improve turnout, whether in Kavanaugh and Judge, who were
committee, dominated conference elections or strike ballots, Three both drunk, thrown onto a bed,
and got through everything he other motions were lost (because while Judge played loud music
wanted with little dissent. I hear A9 was carried): A10, calling for to drown out her screams, then
that PCS Left Unity - the majority a recruitment review on where we mounted by Kavanaugh, who
of which today gushingly lauds are losing/picking up members tried to rip her clothes off and,
Serwotka - had no model motions, and why, while A11 and A12 groping and grinding, covered
so content are they with the NEC. concerned the election of more her mouth with his hand until she
Sunday June 27 5pm A motion from the NEC full-time officers. There were the feared being smothered to death
on national pay policy was usual arguments against, citing the - were more firmly etched in her
A week in politics “overwhelmingly carried”. This low 2021 NEC elections turnout memory than the topographical
Political report and discussion from contained a lot of the usual aims, of just 7.5% , which demonstrated details of an evening in 1982, 36
such as seeking coordinated that ‘the members aren’t interested years before she went public with
CPGB’s Provisional Central Committee strike action with other public- in this’. A damning indictment, her account.
Register in advance for this webinar: sector unions (something the PCS you may think, of the record of Blasey Ford’s accusation,
us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_MA78RwDKQpSY4LmjI-0FBw continually asks for, but never the ruling NEC factions since the moreover, was not without
sees delivered), with another creation of PCS in 1999. supporting evidence. She
Sunday July 4 5pm national strike ballot to be held Overall I am concerned that volunteered for, and passed, a
A week in politics “at the earliest appropriate nowadays the NEC comprises a lie-detector test. In 2012 - six
Political report from CPGB’s opportunity”. PCS has failed to number of activists I have never years before she came out with
Provisional Central Committee and discussion win two national ballots in a row - heard of or seen speaking at her charges - her therapist noted
the most recent got a 48% turnout, conference. I did not like it when that she recounted in one session
Previous OCFs can be viewed or heard at these places: when Tory legislation now SPEW and the Scottish Socialist being attacked by pupils “from an
YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/communistpartyofgreatbritain requires a 50% turnout for strike Party dominated the NEC, but the elitist boys’ school”, who went on
Soundcloud: soundcloud.com/cpgb-pcc action. There was some justified calibre now is actually weaker. to become “highly respected and
Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/412z90d6iSHN3bqwxAaP8h criticism of the union leadership Anyone daring to criticise high-ranking members of society
Apple Podcasts: for having negotiated multi-year Mark or the NEC is condemned as in Washington”.
podcasts.apple.com/nl/podcast/marxist-report/id1494068795 pay deals both in the department being ‘sectarian’ and just ‘having More importantly, however,
for work and pensions and in a go’. Those doing so may well Lazare and others who doubt
Organised by CPGB: www.cpgb.org.uk and revenue and customs (HMRC), have been in the BLN or IL, but Blasey Ford’s story must account
Labour Party Marxists: www.labourpartymarxists.org.uk which sold terms and conditions their comments were legitimate for her motives. They must
For further information, email Stan Keable at of service for an above-inflation and shared by many outside their explain why a prosperous and
Secretary@labourpartymarxists.org.uk pay rise. These are two of our factions. But those controlling the successful academician and
biggest departments, which were, NEC and conference now want a research psychologist would,
BCM Box 928, London WC1N 3XX l 07379 532160 l www.weeklyworker.co.uk l editor@weeklyworker.co.uk
weekly
worker 1353 June 24 2021 3
after nearly four decades, bear
false witness against a powerful
oppression without being a black
nationalist, and uphold gender
of the permanent revolution
signifies that the complete and Restore Bristol NW CLP to members’ control
ACTION
jurist - especially when her equality without being a feminist. genuine solution of their tasks of Friday June 25, 11am: Protest at Labour Party South West Regional
accusation was sure to expose Identity politics should not be achieving democracy and national Office, Unit 8, Bradley Pavilions, Pear Tree Road, Bristol BS32. Bristol
her to intense public scrutiny… combated by denying or deeming emancipation is conceivable only NW CLP has been taken over by party bureaucrats, with the chair and
and worse: Blasey Ford, in fact, insignificant actual instances of through the dictatorship of the secretary suspended on bogus grounds along with 20 other officers
received multiple death threats, extra-class oppression. Lenin proletariat as the leader of the across the region.
forcing her to move house four taught us that, among other subjugated nation, above all of its Organised by Labour In Exile Network:
times during the ordeal. things. peasant masses … The democratic www.facebook.com/events/213666560601530.
Kavanaugh did not claim that Jim Creegan revolution grows over directly
Blasey Ford was exaggerating or New York into the socialist revolution and Oppose the far-right in Batley and Spen
misremembering a real incident. thereby becomes a permanent
He flatly and indignantly denied Dictatorship revolution … The completion of
Saturday June 26, 12 noon: Protest demonstration. Assemble Batley
Town Hall, Market Square, Batley WF17. Oppose the far-right march
everything. Does Lazare believe This is a belated reply to Tony the socialist revolution within backing the For Britain candidate in the by-election.
that his accuser invented her lurid Clark’s letter (May 20), which national limits is unthinkable.” Organised by Stand Up To Racism:
tale out of whole cloth at the itself was a reply to my obituary Comrade Clark is a convinced www.facebook.com/events/155409543288931.
bidding of Nancy Pelosi or the letter for Cliff Slaughter the popular frontist despite the
Democratic National Committee previous week. appalling record of that ‘tactic’, or After Covid - demand a new normal
to keep Kavanaugh off the Tony Clark says that Marx rather its outright abandonment, Saturday June 26, 12 noon: National demonstration against the
Supreme Court - or perhaps raised “dictatorship into a principle in both the semi-colonial world Tory government. Assemble Portland Place, London W1 and march
imagined the incident out of her of socialism” (we mustn’t mention and in the imperialist heartlands. to Parliament Square. Demands include: Renationalise key industries.
own intense political animus the dictatorship of the proletariat, “Class alliances are based on the Decent housing for all. No Tory crony corruption. Properly funded, fully
toward Kavanaugh and the lest we distinguish between the political goals for the revolution,” publicly owned NHS. Keep the market out of education. A green new
Republicans? Readers can also Russian Revolution and Hitler’s he correctly informs us, but if deal. Safe workplaces, save jobs. End ‘fire and rehire’. Fully funded
weigh the plausibility of such coup of January 1933). Trotsky you want an alliance with the social care. Kill the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill.
conjectures. advocated “socialist revolution in ‘democratic imperialists’ you must Organised by Peoples Assembly:
Lazare takes aim at some backward countries, which were murder all the militant anarchists, www.facebook.com/events/1014040739128410.
of the right targets, then not ready for it”, explains comrade Trotskyists and other Marxists,
perpetrates overkill. It is true that Clark, and so he is responsible because the goal is to save Beauty magic: the first art
Democratic politicians often take “for most of the things which went democratic capitalism and prevent Tuesday June 29, 6.30pm: Online talk presented by Camilla Power.
refuge in anti-racism and anti- wrong in the Russian Revolution socialist revolution, as in Spain Explores the evidence of a social and sexual revolution in Africa, as we
sexism to appear ‘progressive’ and the Chinese revolutions” - in 1936-39. Such was the fear became modern humans about 200,000 years ago.
without offending their corporate and also for the crimes of Pol Pot, that Stalin’s counterrevolutionary Organised by Radical Anthropology Group - register at:
benefactors. Identity politics etc, because of that rotten and bureaucracy had of revolution in radicalanthropologygroup.org/evening-talks.
is indeed an obstacle to class- ridiculous theory of permanent Spain that it was in 1936 that the Free speech - unrestricted or not?
consciousness, especially in its revolution. He must really hope Great Purges began in earnest in Wednesday June 30, 6pm: Online all-members meeting. Includes
more extreme iterations. Some that his readers do not take the the USSR, where every remaining debate on whether to support ‘unrestricted’ free speech. Speaker for:
ideologues of the Black Lives trouble to look up the theory or member of Lenin’s 1917 central Kevin Bean; against: Tony Greenstein. Join by June 29 to attend.
Matter movement view the first read how Trotsky defended it until committee, with the exception of Organised by Labour Campaign for Free Speech:
importation of enslaved Africans he was assassinated by Stalin’s Alexandra Kollontai, was executed www.facebook.com/events/864041421134594.
to the colonies in 1619, rather agent in August 1940. Oh, why as a counterrevolutionary, along
than the War of Independence, would he assassinate his own with every other direct participant Nazi Germany 1933-39
as America’s founding act, inspirator if comrade Clark’s in the revolution, apart from Stalin Thursday July 1, 6pm: Weekly online political education series.
and tend to view black-white analysis is correct? himself and Molotov. Organised by Labour Left Alliance:
conflict as the motor force of the Of course, central to permanent But to abandon the popular www.facebook.com/events/211467213892082.
country’s history. More than a revolution are two inextricably front is “an ultra-left approach
few Me Too spokespersons fail to linked ideas: combined and uneven to revolution”, opines comrade Bust the transport pay freeze
distinguish between minor sexual development; and the international Clark. We must defend the good Friday July 2, 6pm: Public meeting, Maldon Hotel, Newgate Street,
misdemeanours, ill-chosen words nature of all - socialism is name of Dimitrov, who explained Newcastle NE1. Defend rail services and jobs. Speakers include RMT
and sexual assault. Censorious, impossible in a single country, just so well to the seventh and last general secretary Mick Lynch and Laura Pidcock (Peoples Assembly).
moral self-righteousness and as today we understand that the congress of the Comintern in Organised by RMT Newcastle Rail and Catering Branch:
virtue-signalling are now rampant battle against women’s oppression, 1935 why we must abandon class www.twitter.com/RMTNRC.
in universities and professional against racism, against climate struggle in order to keep the
middle class circles. change and against the Covid-19 ‘democratic imperialists’ happy. NHS birthday protests
None of this, however, means virus cannot succeed within single And if you couldn’t do that, then Saturday July 3: Demonstrations demanding NHS pay justice, patient
that black people are not routinely countries or even continents. why not have a go at keeping the safety and an end to privatisation.
brutalised and murdered by police, And the class-consciousness of fascist imperialists happy, as in London: Assemble 12 noon, University College Hospital, Gower Street,
or young women not preyed upon workers internationally is global the Stalin-Hitler pact of August London NW1. March to Parliament Square.
and raped by powerful men. also as a consequence. 1939? Organised by NHS Workers Say No to Public Sector Pay Inequality:
Socialists, in my view, need to Trotsky explained in his Theory And that - together with Mao’s www.facebook.com/events/530053088180070.
make a point of opposing these of permanent revolution (1931): Great Leap Forward of 1958 and Ipswich: Assemble 11am, Christchurch Park, Fonnereau Road, Ipswich
things. There is a difference “With regard to countries with a his Cultural Revolution from 1966 IP1. Organised by Suffolk NHS Pay Justice Hub:
between events themselves and belated bourgeois development, - is all Trotsky’s fault. Really? www.facebook.com/events/681633979296062.
how they are understood and used especially the colonial and semi- Gerry Downing Brighton: Free party from 2pm, The Level, Lewes Road, Brighton BN2.
politically. One can fight black colonial countries, the theory Socialist Fight Organised by Sussex Defend the NHS:
www.facebook.com/events/236180167911598.
UFOs guff
Fighting fund Are other readers of the Weekly
Worker not jolted to the bones,
Bristol: Assemble 11am, College Green, Bristol BS1. March to Castle
Park. Organised by NHS Workers Say No Bristol:
www.facebook.com/events/514479356360452.
You can do it!
as certainly I am, by how letters Colchester: Assemble 12 noon, St. Botolph’s Priory, Colchester CO2.
as well as main articles recently Organised by Essex NHS Workers Say No:
have been devoted to such matters www.facebook.com/events/379322786834903.
W e are continuing to gain total increased by £440 over the as UFOs, aliens, their ‘genetic Leicester: Assemble 1pm, Nelson Mandela Park, Welford Road,
new subscribers following last week. So now it stands at engineering’ of homo sapiens, etc? Leicester LE1. March into the city centre.
our return to printing, which £1,687, with exactly a week to Do the generators of suchlike Organised by Save Our NHS Leicestershire:
resumed three issues ago on go to reach our £2,000 target. guff see no other priorities for www.facebook.com/events/896810170914645.
June 3. But unfortunately over Well, that means just another consideration and development? Sheffield: Assemble 12 noon, Barker’s Pool, Sheffield S1.
the last week donations to our £313 would see us over the line, In turn, does no comrade out Organised by Sheffield-NHS Workers Say No:
fighting fund have been very so we really should be able to there in the vast shit-heap that www.facebook.com/events/1735005510012776.
few and far between. get there. is the capitalist paradigm not Manchester: Rally 11am, Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester M1.
For instance, over the last But I’m not taking anything ask themselves that simple but Organised by Greater Manchester Keep Our NHS Public:
seven days there’s been not for granted - I’ve had my hopes stark question of how the hell did www.facebook.com/events/316366029976303.
one contribution via PayPal dashed too often in the past! scientific/dialectically materialist Nottingham: Assemble 11.30am, Old Market Square, Nottingham NG1.
- that’s the first time I can Comrades, now of all times, Marxism get to this? Equally so, March to the Forest Recreation Ground.
remember that happening since after our expenses have shot how any amongst us holding this Organised by Unison Nottingham University Hospitals branch:
just after we set up our PayPal up so much because of the type of attitude is promptly shot www.facebook.com/events/781649955882557.
account all those years ago! As cost once more of printing and down by the very same sterile and Online Communist University
for standing orders and bank mailing the paper to subscribers, insulated hyper-intellectualism Saturday August 14 to Sunday August 22: Online school of Marxism.
transfers, there were just four let’s make sure we reach that that generates such nonsense in The Weekly Worker goes live for a week, with lots of time for genuine
of them - but the consoling £2K target at the very least! the first place - needless to say, in debate and discussion. Timetable and registration available soon.
factor is they were at least If you agree, you know what that combination of self-mutilating Speakers this year include: Anne McShane, Kevin Bean, Jack Conrad,
quite substantial. That applies to do. Click on that PayPal and decadent manner. Nothing Paul Demarty, Mike Macnair, Yassamine Mather, Lawrence Parker,
first and foremost to comrade button on our website or - better whatsoever of ‘virtue signaling’ is Sandy McBurney, Marc Mulholland, David Broder, Chris Knight, Moshé
SK, with his magnificent £230 still - make a bank transfer to intended here, because, of course, Machover, Hillel Ticktin, Daniel Lazare, Ian Wright, Lars T Lih, Tina
donation, while those from account number 00744310 (sort we’re all in one boat when it comes Werkmann and Tony Greenstein.
PM (£100), MM (£75) and GB code 30-99-64). You can do it! l to near-total isolation. And when Organised by Communist Party of Great Britain and Labour Party
(£25) are certainly not to be Robbie Rix ‘decadence’ is referenced that’s not Marxists: communistuniversity.uk.
sneezed at. in any horribly bourgeois moral
Finally, comrade Hassan Fill in a standing order form sense, but purely insofar as decay CPGB wills
donated a tenner to one of our (back page), donate via our is maybe the inevitable stage we’ve Remember the CPGB and keep the struggle going. Put our party’s name
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4 June 24 2021 1353 worker
weekly
ELECTIONS
Blue and red walls crack
Should the left refuse to call for a Labour vote because of crap politics and crap candidates? Eddie Ford
calls for strategic thinking, not knee-jerk reactions
I
gniting media excitement, last second referendum stance, precisely
week’s stunning Chesham and by Keir Starmer himself.
Amersham by-election saw the All of this has to be understood
Liberal Democrats overturn a 16,000 in the broader context of chatter
Tory majority by just over 8,000 about a centre realignment - not
votes - a swing of 25% and almost just a Lib Dem revival. The recent
57% of the total vote. In another by-elections have set certain minds
humiliation for Keir Starmer, with racing, especially in publications like
Hartlepool a recent memory, Labour The Guardian, about the feasibility
slumped into fourth place behind of a ‘progressive alliance’ under
the Greens, with 622 votes or just which so-called ‘centre-left’ parties
1.6%. This represents the lowest ever would stand down to help other ‘left-
share of the vote by a Labour Party leaning’ parties beat the Tories. It has
candidate in a by-election. to be said that the idea is problematic
The reasons for the Lib Dem arithmetically and electorally.
success are not hard to fathom - Voters do not automatically tend
proposed planning laws, HS2 and to the centre. Far from it. More
Brexit. For instance, 55% in the importantly, the whole ‘centre-left’
Chiltern district voted ‘remain’ on strategy dovetails with the long-held
an 83.6% turnout - the highest figure ruling class project of delabourising
for any area in the UK. And anyone Labour. In other words, eliminating
who knows Chesham and Amersham Labour as any kind of workers’ party.
can confirm that HS2 is a big local What is still a bourgeois workers’
issue. As for planning, nimbyism is party will thereby become simply a
a definite factor. Large numbers of bourgeois party.
well-heeled voters want to defend Starmer has been promising to
their leafy idyll from urban sprawl. travel round the country over the
That hardly means that we are in summer to ‘hear what people think’.
favour of HS2 and projects like it. The end result, presumably to be
There is no pressing need to knock presented to the truncated Brighton
20-30 minutes off a journey from conference in September, will, of
Birmingham to London, just as there course, owe nothing to ‘what people
was no need to waste huge amounts think’. Instead, expect, well, at least
of money on Concorde to enable the the possibility of Starmer pledging
wealthy elite to jet off to New York to complete what that ‘great election
at more than 30 times the cost of Sir Keir: delivering bad news winner’ Tony Blair started.
the cheapest option. Anyway, with Paddy Ashdown revealed in
Chesham and Amersham you had issue on the doorstep: not surprising, there have been very few candidates that would be a good reason to back 2000 that he and Blair “jointly
a strong ‘remain’ constituency that as Batley and Spen has a large who have held to a genuinely it. But it does nothing of the kind. prepared” for forming a coalition
had always voted Tory since the seat Muslim population. Given the recent principled position. The CPGB As for LCfFS, its political remit for up to 18 months before New
was first created in 1974 - therefore Israeli bombardment of Gaza and Labour candidates in the early really ought to be focused on the Labour’s landslide victory in May
it is fair to conclude that someone Labour’s ongoing witch-hunt against 1920s can be mentioned. Militant question of free speech - under 1997.2 According to the ex-Lib Dem
like Jeremy Corbyn must have been supporters of Palestine (under the Tendency had three MPs until they severe attack in the Labour Party. leader, Blair would have actively
their worst nightmare, for all their cover of fake anti-Semitism charges) were purged. Leave aside Militant’s Is it telling us not to vote Labour “preferred” to be at the head of a
suspicions of Boris Johnson. This there is widespread disgust at Sir crass economism, its clause four in Batley and Spen? Surely that is Lib-Lab coalition government rather
time round, it is easy to see why the Keir and his pro-Zionist regime. reformism and claims that the Soviet what “refuse to support” means in than governing with his large Labour
Lib Dems were such an attractive Another likely reason for the Union, China and eastern Europe, plain English. Is it calling for a vote majority. Now, once again, we have
option. Tory lead is Labour’s candidate, even Syria, were workers’ states. The for Galloway’s Workers Party? Is it rumours of forming a Democratic or
As we all know, by-elections Kim Leadbeater. She is an ardent likes of Dave Nellist were genuine calling for an abstention? An active Progressive party.
allow people to kick the government remainer, which does not bode class fighters. But the vast bulk of boycott? What about the next general The treatment handed out to
even if they view it traditionally well for Labour, considering what Labour MPs - and candidates - are election? Howard Beckett - who was standing
as their government - then they happened in Hartlepool. Leadbeater and always have been pro-capitalist Labour Party Marxists will be for the leadership of Unite - seemed
normally revert to type in a general is also a political lightweight. She and pro-imperialist. Certainly when submitting an emergency motion to suspiciously like a manifestation
election. Thus the last three by- only rejoined the party when they it comes to Israel and Palestine, there the next LCfFS meeting condemning of that line of march. He was
elections won by Lib Dems all went offered her the Batley seat. Her only is been a long and sorry history of this unfortunate, strategically suspended from the Labour Party
back into Conservative hands at the ‘recommendation’ is that she is the overt pro-Zionism. Kim Leadbeater disorientated and politically for his supposedly ‘racist’ remark
following election. This is not to say sister of the late Saint Jo Cox. is no different in that respect. damaging statement on Batley and in response to the threats of home
that history will automatically repeat Under these circumstances But the reason why the left should Spen. secretary Priti Patel to deport
itself in Chesham and Amersham, or some on the Labour left have put support Leadbeater in Batley and migrants, that it was those like Patel
to rule out a Lib Dem revival of some on display their profound strategic Spen has absolutely nothing to do Walls who support such ideas who ought to
sort, but many readers will remember disorientation. Take the Labour with her. No, we have a strategic Well, if the thesis is that Brexit- be deported. Top union officials do
that every by-election victory by the Campaign for Free Speech. Not only perspective of transforming the supporting former Labour voters in not normally get treated like ordinary
party is always portrayed by the does LCfFS not know whether or not Labour Party into a united front of the north are changing the political members who can be suspended.
leadership as heralding a new dawn. it is a campaign for free speech: it a special kind. From that strategy, map, then why cannot it work Treating Beckett in such a fashion
There has been a lot of talk, mainly does not even know whether or not it tactics flow. the other way round? South-east indicates some sort of central
journalistic, about a historic shift in is a Labour campaign. True, the key question is building England, especially London, can decision - it could not have been
British politics - with the ‘Red Wall’ Responding to a “senior Labour a mass Communist Party. Without also change the map, because it Labour’s general secretary, David
still continuing to crumble in the source”, who told the media that that there is no possibility whatsoever strongly voted ‘remain’ in 2016. In Evans, acting off his own bat. There
north, as shown by Hartlepool, and Labour was “haemorrhaging” of transforming Labour into a united a certain sense, nearly anything can must have been an agreement to deal
now possible cracks appearing in the Muslim voters, because of “what front of a special kind, a vehicle in happen - making me a bit reluctant to with troublesome union officials.
southern ‘Blue Wall’, as in Chesham Keir has been doing on anti- the struggle for socialism. Hence say that the Chesham and Amersham Almost since the moment Sir Keir
and Amersham. Is this the beginning Semitism”, it issued a public we come to George Galloway and by-election was simply a flash in got elected, there has been chatter
of the end of the old two-party statement on June 22, which charged his Workers Party. Galloway was, the pan. On the other hand, we do about a leadership challenge. But
system dominated by the Tories and the “senior Labour source” with from his earliest political days up in have a two-party system - almost he knows that this is not going to
the Labour Party? Indeed, there has implying that “Muslims are anti- Dundee, a Stalinite. But the Workers by definition because of the ‘first happen. Not only is the ‘official left’
been renewed speculation about that Semitic”. This might or might not Party is ultra-Stalinite. At its core is past the post’ voting system, which in no position to do anything on that
old favourite, the ‘death of Labour’ - be the case. The language is vague the old Communist Party of Great is not going away any time soon. score. More to the point, those who
at least as the natural second party of and it could be a simple statement Britain (Marxist-Leninist), a Stalin Third parties normally get punished fancy taking over as Labour leader
government. This sort of speculation, of fact. It is certainly true that “many worship society founded by Harpal electorally. will bide their time. Boris Johnson
which we have heard as many times voters” seem to be turning against Brar. Actually, in terms of the last looks set to get rid of the Fixed Term
as a Lib Dem revival, is bound to go Labour because Starmer “is bowing It is not that a vote for the general election, it was surprising Parliaments Act and go for a ‘you’ve
into overdrive, thanks to the July 1 to the Israeli government and refuses Workers Party should be ruled out on that the Lib Dems did so badly. In never had it so good’ general election
by-election in Batley and Spen - a to support the Palestinian struggle”. principle. We supported Galloway some ways, conditions should have in 2022 or 2023. If Labour loses, Sir
constituency that voted by 60% It is also true that this “is not anti- when he bravely stood in Bethnal been ideal for them - with Boris Keir will fall on his sword and the
for ‘leave’. According to a recent Semitism, it is anti-Zionism”. Green and Bow in 2005 in protest Johnson triggering an election usual suspects will line up to replace
opinion poll by Survation, the Tories No, the problem with the LCfFS against Tony Blair and his wars in squarely around the Europe question, him - not least, of course, Andy
are ahead on 47% - up 11% from the statement is the political conclusion: Afghanistan and Iraq. He also stood and ‘getting Brexit done’ eating like Burnham l
2019 general election - while Labour “In the forthcoming Batley and Spen successfully in Bradford West in acid into Labour votes. You would
is on 41%, similar to its 43% winning by-election, we refuse to support 2012. Brilliant. But it is all too clear have expected the Lib Dems to make eddie.ford@weeklyworker.co.uk
share at the general election.1 the Labour candidate, an incredible that in 2021 Galloway is not about to a bigger impact, since they had a
A big difference in this by-election apolitical and nondescript candidate win again. He could, though, cause much clearer and less ambiguous
could well be the George Galloway who was chosen by Keir Starmer Labour to lose. If the Workers Party position on Brexit than Jeremy Notes
1. survation.com/conservatives-lead-new-polling-
factor. Galloway’s Workers Party is directly.” pointed in the direction of a mass Corbyn. He had to be dragged almost for-batley-and-spen-by-election.
on 6% in the polls. Palestine is a real In the entire history of Labour Communist Party, even falteringly, kicking and screaming towards a 2. news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/985728.stm.
weekly
worker 1353 June 24 2021 5
MEDIA
Dim end of the wedge
The buffoonery of GB News’s first weeks should not be confused with failure, warns Paul Demarty
W
e cannot deny ourselves governance of cultural norms: the
a giggle at the teething bourgeois professional class. Its
troubles of GB News - long ideology may be conservative or
hyped by its backers and front men liberal. Eton slang can do the job
(mostly indeed men) as an antidote of policing the closed shop quite as
to the unpatriotic dogmas of the well as intersectionalite jargon. But,
irretrievably woke BBC, Channel 4 in America and Britain, it is clearly
and, er, Sky. the latter that actually is dominant.
Barely an hour passed without It is still Pride month, and there is
some microphone malfunction or scarcely an in-house PR person in
dropped Zoom stream. The content all the corporate world who has
was frequently digressive and not gushed pro-gay copy into the
occasionally hilarious. The most vortex of social media; so it has also
notorious moment came when, been with the Black Lives Matter
in the channel’s inevitable first movement and many other bugbears
sally at the Duke and Duchess of the GB News set.
of Sussex, the eccentric royal
biographer, Lady Colin Campbell, Wrong choices
aggressively corrected host Dan The socialist left is thereby presented
Wootton’s characterisation of with a choice: to back the liberal
Jeffrey Epstein as a “paedophile” bourgeoisie or the right bourgeoisie.
- he was an “ephebophile”, she Unsurprisingly most choose the
snapped back. Her use of the former, but not all - there is a
distinction is technically correct, subculture, let us say, of leftwing
but quite comically outside the people so disillusioned by the
‘good old British common sense’ tediousness of woke liberalism that
that supposedly motivates all this they sympathise more instinctively
drivel. with its critics, and accept parts of
Add it all up and there were the rightwing narrative - that the left
plenty of insiders prepared to talk What a shambles has become wholly divorced from
anonymously to the website Politics broad masses.
Home, using vocabulary that at and bureaucrats, the government etc), and other methods (principally store in an obscure province. Both these choices are wrong,
least overlaps with the bar-room opted to restart the process from the advertising subsidy to bourgeois What won’t you find here - cheap naturally. To take the anti-woke
bores who are presumably the target scratch and hope to engineer the media). in price and in quality still lower! brigade first: even we must admit,
audience. “When it comes to the right answer this time. Far from There is secondarily the narrowly Recollections of the ‘happy’ days ourselves, to the occasional
live TV side, it’s a clusterfuck,” one being a plucky underdog fighting political matter of what this all of free competition, and hazy murderous fantasy when somebody
said of the frequent technical screw- back against the elite, in other words, appears to be about - the battle that evocations of the stability of class talks about ‘decolonising’ something
ups. Apart from that, the channel’s GB News is merely the thin end of a is supposed to be going on between society; hopes for the regeneration other than an actual colony. The
enemies have resorted to the Bart giant wedge. conservative working class citizens of the colonial empire, and dreams underlying analysis, however, is
Simpson tactic of emailing in with If that is the case, of course, there in the provinces and cosmopolitan of a shut-in economy; phrases incredibly partial. We do not find, on
fake names like “Mike Oxlong”, and is no reason why it should itself liberal professionals in the cities about a return from Roman law the one side, middle class liberals and,
his old friend “Cleo Torres”.1 emerge as a hegemonic rightwing - what usually goes by the name back to the Germanic, and pleas on the other, the working class, who
In spite of all this nonsense, the GB media apparatus. So far its talking ‘culture war’ politics. The left has for an American moratorium; an hate them and have gone to the right.
News people will be quietly satisfied points trickle down from print, coped very badly with this, but in envious hostility to inequality in We find, instead, a divided middle
with how things have gone so far - rather as do those of its incumbent order to understand why we must the person of a proprietor in an class and a divided proletariat. Lazy
indeed, not so quietly. Their flagship rivals. But even where TV news look at things at a slightly higher automobile, and animal fear of analysis of, say, Labour’s electoral
programmes topped the ratings networks have a stronger record of level. equality in the person of a worker fortunes - that it has lost the ‘working
among comparable channels three agenda-setting, as with the cable The bourgeoisie is, among in a cap and without a collar; the class north’ and become a middle
days in a row - exploiting curiosity, news giants in the United States, its many other defects, small. It frenzy of nationalism, and the fear class party of the great cities - simply
to be sure, but also indicating that the picture is not necessarily rosy. cannot rule without the assistance of world creditors …2 misrepresents the cities, as if every
it has an audience of some kind of With the exception of one or two of sections of the masses - even if one of London’s 10 million people
size. The technical glitches will be shows on Fox, ratings across all it is only enough to act as soldiers, GB News is unlikely to organise was a self-care-obsessed marketing
worked out. “Mike” and “Cleo” will the major players in that market are police and bailiffs. The emergence a fascist regime any time soon, executive. It just is not true. (Some
take their merry pranksterism off to rock-bottom and have been more of liberal-constitutional political of course. But the atmosphere of of) the metropolitan elite voted
some other target. The project will be or less since the end of the Donald regimes poses bigger problems still, political crisis it feeds on is quite Labour in the last few elections, but
judged on its success or failure over Trump presidency. They became so since some political decision-making as laughably contradictory as that so did their Deliveroo drivers.
months or years, not days. dependent on the high drama of that power devolves to broad layers of mobilised by Hitler and friends If the liberal-baiters are off-beam,
There are reasons enough for period (and, indeed, are now - with the masses. The structure of those under far more severe circumstances. though, so are the liberal-adjacent.
the bullish and bearish alike. The the exception of Fox - so laughably regimes ensures that the plebeian We are supposed to believe that the The completely unqualified support
optimists will cite the fact that there obsequious to the new regime) that classes cannot in fact impose their snowflakes want to destroy free offered to bourgeois anti-racism, for
certainly is widespread alienation its end posed something close to agenda within the rules of the game; speech, and therefore that stringent example, by the Socialist Workers
from the existing establishment an existential question. What on but it cannot, by definition, prevent controls on political speech in the Party commits it to an ideology that
broadcast media, much of it fed by earth is Rachel Maddow for if she the popular classes from setting out academy are necessary; that the is just as much a legitimation of
tabloid hysteria of a rightwing sort. can no longer relitigate Russiagate to overthrow the rules of the game. appearance of a single, vaguely bourgeois rule as the harrumphing of
For all its laughable chatter about conspiracy theories ad nauseam? Consent is necessary to ensure liberal junior prince is a catastrophe Andrew Neil. It supposes that simply
‘bringing the country together’, the The power of new digital media any level of smooth functioning, that will undo thousands of years of by performatively ‘challenging
new channel is straightforwardly platforms is - we have often argued and consent must in the end be ‘Anglo-Saxon liberty’ and bulldog racism’ (etc) it is possible to defeat
a culture war initiative. On offer is in this paper - often overstated, but obtained by the appearance of unity spirit; and so it goes on - pair after the right; but, if anything, at the
strictly the sort of ‘bringing together’ the factor that is itself overstated of interests between the bourgeoisie disconnected pair of opposed moment the opposite is true - the
that is accomplished by the sacrifice is, precisely, the ability of internet- and sections of the popular classes. grievances, united only in their more hysterical official anti-
of the scapegoat. The metropolitan only outlets to set the wider media But that appearance is necessarily vulgarity and their superficially racism gets, the more prone it is
liberal elite woke thought police agenda. Until GB News can get out false by the sheer logic of capitalist seamless assemblage in rightwing to embarrassments, and the more
are not invited to this party, except from under tabloid talking points, society. The proletariat is reduced to media discourse. energised its reactionary opponents
inasmuch as they are the main course there is no reason why it should a slave class; the petty bourgeoisie The utility of this sort of thing become.
at the great feast. triumph over a professionally-run tends to be dissolved into the is, first of all, that it is divisive: in A worthwhile political project
Besides these ideological YouTube channel - which, after all, proletariat, so its fate is hardly better. submitting to it, one assumes that would offer a response to racist,
conditions are the institutional ones. is not subject to Ofcom regulation or So all bourgeois political regimes there is an enemy to be fought, and sexist and other oppression that
GB News has an air of ‘officialness’ the overheads associated with over- must offer concessions - and ideally tacitly assents to this enemy’s endless was not only independent from but
lacking in the YouTube ranters; it is, the-air broadcast. At the same time, sectional concessions that provide shifting in scope. Just as ‘Judeo- sharply counterposed to that of the
after all, regulated by Ofcom. But there is no reason why the press the semblance of a stake in the extant Bolshevism’ could, in the 1930s, liberals; and it would offer a critique
the regulation of the broadcast media should continue to play that agenda- regime. include everyone from freemasons of the liberals that gave no quarter
is changing, and it is plain that the setting role more or less exclusively. Such ideological blocs are built to Zionists to council communists, to reactionary ‘common sense’. To
government wants to start backing (The print media are hardly in better up piecemeal, and hardly need to so ‘cultural Marxism’ today may as offer such things, of course, demands
its kind of media. In the background health than US cable networks.) make any sense. It is admittedly an well be defined as ‘the sum total of what we do not have - a robust set
to this story is the question of who, over-sensational comparison, but things to have annoyed Ben Shapiro of media of our very own, up even
exactly, is to be the regulator’s new Right v left Trotsky’s sarcastic description of the this week’. to the shaky standards of GB News
chair. It is plain that the government Whether GB News or some other programme of the Nazis captures There is a reality, of course, to the thus far l
favours Paul Dacre, the notorious ghoulish outfit ultimately succeeds, well the sheer stupidity of these constitution of this ‘enemy camp’,
former Daily Mail editor, scourge we must confront the fact that assemblages: which is an important part of the paul.demarty@weeklyworker.co.uk
of liberals and a BBC-phobe. His it is far easier to imagine the story. There is a section of the middle
application for the job was rejected breakthrough coming from the right The programme with which class whose means of life is obtained Notes
1. politicshome.com/news/article/gb-news-first-
by Ofcom’s interview panel at the than the left. Partly that is a matter National Socialism came to primarily by control of ‘intellectual week-chaos.
end of May, but instead of proceeding of the institutional support we have power reminds one very much property’ in the form of skills 2. marxists.org/archive/trotsky/
down the list of uninspiring ex-MPs mentioned (the suborning of Ofcom, - alas - of a Jewish department monopolies, but also of informal germany/1933/330610.htm.
6 June 24 2021 1353 worker
weekly
LAW
No-platforming fraud
Government proposals for legislation to ‘protect free speech’ in universities are part of the ongoing culture
wars designed to please the rightwing press, argues Mike Macnair. This article is adapted from his June 20
Online Communist Forum talk
T
he government announced in always possible to argue that it raises
the May 11 queen’s speech ‘difficult issues’, which need to go
that it would legislate to to the high court - or to run up costs
protect “free speech” in universities by appealing. Indeed, these claims
and other higher-education are probably going to be treated as
providers (HEPs). The proposal analogous to defamation claims:
is accompanied by an escalating because certainly what a speaker
‘culture wars’ campaign in the Tory who has been no-platformed is really
press, which complains of both complaining of is the reputational
‘wokeness’ and ‘cancel culture’. damage of being accused of being a
But these proposals arrive racist, or a trans-exclusionary radical
contemporaneously with the same feminist (Terf), or whatever - not the
Tory press campaigning for ‘cancel loss of the price of a rail ticket and
culture’ in relation to pro-Palestinian such-like expenses. So, although this
speech. At the university where I claim is not a defamation claim, it
happen to work, Oxford, March is very much like one - and it will
this year saw a no-platforming almost certainly wind up being taken
campaign mounted in the name of over by the specialists in defamation.
‘political correctness’ - ‘anti-racism’ The best description of the activity
- against Ken Loach being invited of these specialists is to say that
to speak at St Peter’s College. In the house of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha
this context, the idea that we should (Windsor) has since the middle
believe that the Conservative Party is of the 19th century been selling
committed to freedom of speech and and denying justice in violation of
academic freedom in universities Magna Carta chapter 29, which is
and other HEPs would become one of the few parts that have not
frankly laughable if it were not for been repealed: the crown promises
the evident success of these ‘big lie’ not to sell or deny justice. True, you
techniques in recent years do not personally pay the queen,
‘Leon Trotsky was a fascist, and I as people used to personally pay
know it for a fact. First I said it, then I King John for expedited treatment,
read it in the Hitler-Stalin pact.’ And or to stop their opponents’ judicial
then you have: ‘Saddam Hussein proceedings. Queen Victoria,
had weapons of mass destruction’; Edward VII, George V, Edward VIII,
‘Barack Obama was not born in the George VI and Elizabeth II have not
USA’; ‘Jeremy Corbyn is an anti- Big mouth: advertising-funded media personally been taking money for
Semite’; ‘Donald Trump is a Russian selling and denying justice. Rather,
agent’; ‘Brexit will allow a massive administrations against campaigns does not propose to change that the OfS as opposed to the Charity they have been franchising the sale
increase in health spending’; ‘British like the attempt to no-platform Ken requirement, and I do not think that Commission is supposed, according and denial of justice to the Bar of
success with vaccination is the Loach, and St Peter’s College was it will insist on student assemblies at to the government’s consultation England and Wales and the Law
product of the private sector’, and so tough-minded enough to see this which the vice-chancellor will stand paper, to produce a more hands-on Society through the ‘free market in
on, and so on … one off. The government proposes up and read out the government’s regulatory operation through the free legal services’ - and in particular in
The government already trailed to ‘tighten up’ the section 43 rule, favoured text about free speech speech tsar dealing with complaints relation to defamation claims. The
the idea of legislating for ‘free although it does not say exactly how policy. against student unions that they have extortionate charges of barristers and
speech in universities’ and ‘academic it proposes to do so. Fourth, student unions will be promoted anti-free speech operations solicitors dealing with defamation
freedom’ in February.1 If what it Secondly there will be a new directly regulated by OfS. The in some way. claims operate to price both lower-
now puts forward is even remotely ‘director of free speech’ within the present position is that student Fifth and finally, there is going class claimants and lower-class
similar to its February proposals, it Office for Students regulatory body. unions have the rather ambiguous to be a new tort liability against defendants out of the right to their
will in substance be sham legislation, Now the OfS technically already character that they are in theory universities for violation of free day in court.
which serves merely to support the requires universities to lay out how charities, and as such are regulated speech duty under section 43. Thus It is, of course, not just in
Tory press’s culture-wars agenda they are going to comply with section by the Charity Commission. In the a civil action for damages will lie defamation, but more generally
and win favourable headlines in the 43 as a condition of their registration 1970s it used to be a fun activity in favour of people who claim to true that usually in litigation ‘deep
Daily Hate Mail, without making and hence their being entitled to for rightwing law students to bring have suffered loss as a result of pockets win’ - the research has not
any significant difference to what award degrees. But all that means judicial review proceedings against a cancellation: the organisers of been done in this country, but in the
happens in the real world. is that universities have to submit student unions which tried to pass meetings which have been cancelled USA it turns out that it is predictable
Even if the government had forms and tick boxes to show that anti-apartheid motions and such-like, and have then still had to pay who will win in public nuisance
had a serious and honest intention they have a pro-free speech policy. on the ground that this was political money for rooms they have booked; cases in connection with pollution
of increasing freedom of speech The new director of free speech activity which student unions are speakers who have incurred travel on the basis of who spends more. Out
in universities and other HEPs, it within the office for students will be not allowed to engage in! There costs, and so on. of court, Hazel Genn’s 1987 book
would be radically inconsistent to a person who will be responsible for is a curious conflict between the The background to this is that Hard bargaining4 demonstrated
run a campaign in favour of no- promoting this regulatory framework idea that, on the one hand, student the courts have ruled that section 43 empirically that tort claimants
platforming people like Ken Loach, and further will be responsible for unions are charities and, on the other, does not create a civil (tort) liability. in relation to industrial and road
campaign against so-called ‘anti- hearing and dealing with complaints they represent student interests in This is part of a much more general accidents usually wind up settling
Semitism’ (meaning merely support from students and others about negotiation with universities. In phenomenon of the courts trying for much less than the law says
for the Palestinians) and demand that violation of the section 43 duty. addition, it is generally part of the to limit the scope of tort liabilities they should get for their injuries,
universities adopt the “International The OfS is to be given increased culture of higher education that for breach of statutory duties. The because the ability of the defendant
Holocaust RemembranceAssociation power to sanction universities student unions are supposed to be purpose of this general policy, which insurance companies to exhaust the
definition of anti-Semitism”. which are not compliant with its autonomous bodies and not simply started in the late 19th century, is resources of the claimant’s lawyers
This activity, backed by the Tory free speech instructions. But, given emanations of the university or to protect businesses against being is so effective. Again, Vince Cable’s
government, is from beginning to that it already has the power to take state; and in consequence they are liable to compensate workers for wizard wheeze choked off most
end a no-platforming/‘cancel culture’ away the degree-awarding powers also supposed to be the institutions breaches of the factories acts and employment tribunal applications
campaign on the basis of political if there is non-compliance with the through which students learn how to later safety legislation; or neighbours by pushing the fees up so much that
correctness. The political correctness section, it is not clear that ‘enhanced do politics (albeit the politics of the in relation to ‘statutory nuisances’; people could not afford it - to the
in this case being that anti-Zionism powers’ will make any difference. labour bureaucracy). or ‘statutory undertakers’ like water point that finally the UK Supreme
is allegedly anti-Semitism, and By analogy with similar figures, It is true that they are not companies against liability for Court struck it down as being an
therefore racism, and that it therefore the ‘director of free speech’ could financially autonomous. This has failing to maintain a sufficient water abuse of the power to set fees.5
ought to be no-platformed and so on. be known as the ‘free speech tsar’ a history, connected to the issue of pressure for fire brigade use (the So my point here is that what the
(like the ‘drugs tsar’), which would political action. Because student original case).3 Because there is not government proposes in creating a
Proposals be a nice contradiction in terms - the unions have not been reliably a tort liability, the only remedy is tort liability is carefully designed
What then are the concrete proposals February consultation paper avoided Conservative, Tory governments judicial review proceedings. There to be under the control of this
which government is making this problem by calling the official have gradually attacked their is merely a right to apply for the mechanism. Tort liability as such is
for legislation on ‘free speech in the “free speech champion”. practical autonomy.2 But the Charity decision to be quashed by the court necessarily controlled by the use of
universities’? The background Thirdly, there will be tighter Commission, while promoting - useless after a meeting has been legal fees to choke off or facilitate
context is that already - by virtue regulation of universities’ free speech “independent” trustee arrangements cancelled, for instance. So creating access to justice. We can see that
of the Education (No2) Act, 1986, policies: ie, a body of text prescribed and lawyer control of student a new tort liability is supposed to be also in relation to the Labour Party’s
section 43 - universities and other by the OfS to be compulsory in union decisions, has been relatively beneficial from the point of view of disciplinary proceedings in the ‘anti-
institutions of higher education are university free speech policies. The hands-off in practice - reflecting deterring anti-free speech decisions. Semitism’ campaigns, where the
under a statutory duty to secure OfS already requires universities to the underlying conflict between How will a tort liability be litigation brought by supporters of
and promote freedom of speech on tell students about their free speech charity status, and representative and enforced? In theory, if it is for a small the witch-hunt has been heard very
campus. This section can indeed policies every year; HEPs merely put political-training purposes. Bringing amount of money, it can be brought rapidly and this has been backed up
help put backbone in university them on websites. The government student unions under the remit of in the small claims court, but it is by no doubt very substantial sums
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