The Green Party socialist meeting held today in the meeting room at Party office exceeded all expectations. The discussions were excellent, it was well attended 36 of us plus a few apologies. The real coup was seeing how strong the Left is, Party chair Cllr Richard Mallender came and is strongly supporting the Headcorn declaration. Other members of the 10 person executive who came today included Peter Cranie (elections), Matt Selwood (local party support) and Jim Killock (communications). Sian the excellent campaigns member of executive gave her apologies. I guess we can pick up others on the executive. Danny Bates who works with Jean Lambert MEP also came and supported. Matt Wootten, who has done some excellent communications work and is an ex-GPEX member also came, which surprised me, I am a great fan of Matt's excellent communications work so it was nice to see him as an out leftist. Joe Rooney the one Green member of the National Students Union exec also sent apologies. Amongst councillors Romayne Phoenix newly elected cllr in Deptford sent her support.
Can you imagine if a socialist group was affliated to by the Labour Prime Minister, half the NEC and held its inaugral meeting in the Party office?
Can you imaging setting up a platform in a the Socialist Workers Party?
Can you imagine a left group which works with consensus?
All these scenarios are as likely as Ming Campbell opposing privatisation of the post office?
About a dozen of us (not me!), were ex-SWP or other left groups, who want a more democratic and inclusive socialist politics. Amongst long standing ecosocialist Tim Summers, John Johnson and myself were pleased to have so much support.
New members included a couple of people who had joined after reading The Enemy of Nature by Joel Kovel, David Schwartman from the US Green Party ecosocialist came as well all the way from Washington DC. Jim Jepps from socialist unity has also just joined
You will be seeing a lot of outreach including green/red flags, debates with socialist groups, presence on demos, website.
Convenors are cllrs Sarah Farrow and Matt Sellwood,
Tim Summers, Sue Bineham and myself are on the steering committee....much smoother ride than previous socialist green groups.
Any way will post the Headcorn statement soon!
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3 comments:
I note you say you were not from a left grup Derek, but didn't you used to be in the SPGB?
I ask for clarity only, not too create a red scare!
Not to be a pedant, but it's Danny BATES and Matt SELLWOOD. :)
Cheers,
Matt
hi,
No never been in the SPGB...Ecology Party since 1980...although in more green socialist groups than you care to mention from SERA through to Green Rev mark one.
Have been involved with Red Pepper, socialist self management, socialist society as well.
will post some more on spgb in a day or to
will amend Matt's and Danny's details
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