Dear Jimmy, Terry
and Mickey
A number of the
Liverpool 47 have considered your invitation to attend the
founding meeting of the USP. We were first of all surprised
that, as part of the body that founded the original campaign,
we were not involved in the discussion in which you arrived at
your decision. We also understood that there would be a
further meeting of the general body to consider the way
forward.
However, we have
carefully considered your proposed constitution and the
conditions of membership and, regretfully, we have decided not
to participate.
The reasons for
this decision are that we believe that there has been a
misunderstanding between us on how to proceed with the
massive task of forging a new party of the working class.
Our original
concept was that of a campaign in which we would appeal to the
trade unions, community groups, students, shop stewards
committees, in fact all sections of the working class involved
in struggle. The campaigning body would be all-inclusive
and pluralistic, and, as the campaign developed ongoing
consideration would be given to a name and to the type of
organisation that would best reflect the interests of the
working class.
This federalist
approach, we believe, was generally acceptable to those who
attended the launch meeting addressed by Dave Nellist. It is
clear now that this strategy is not acceptable to you,
although there was no suggestion at the launch that a
centralised party would be proposed at this early stage.
We would not expect
any organisation to give an undertaking that they would
be required to dissolve in twelve months or even two
years. Is this not a re-run of the SLP and the Socialist
Alliance?
We also believe
that before deciding on the character of the new party, a
major discussion should have taken place involving all
participating bodies and individual members after a period of
campaigning activity when we would have been in a position to
judge how the movement had developed.
We note and fully
endorse your remarks that this decision will in no way
fracture the fraternal relations we have enjoyed over a period
of thirty five to forty years when mutual support has been a
watchword of workers’ solidarity here on Merseyside.
We wish you the
best of luck and hope we can continue to work together in any
future activities that seek to defend working people in
struggle. Given the intention of the Blair government to
continue with its policies of kowtowing to the capitalist
class, that struggle is bound to intensify in the coming
period.
As we believe that
members who sign up are entitled to an explanation, can we
request that you bring this letter to the attention of your
meeting or, if you consider it appropriate, we can send a
speaker.
Fraternally yours,
Paul Astbury, Frank
Mills, Tony Mulhearn and Harry Smith, surcharged Liverpool
councillors.
