My first experience of the SWP’s “Marxism” event was mixed. The session which I found most alarming was the forum on the future of Respect, which seemed more like an adoration rally for George Galloway than a political debate on what the organisation stood for or where the project was going.
There were no criticisms from the floor of either Respect or Galloway. No-one attacked his politics or recent behaviour, such missing votes in the Commons on the terror and education bills. However, not all the sessions lacked real political debate; one I attended on the fight for abortion rights was inspiring and useful with open debate about what can be done in the future, the role of men in the fight for women’s rights and about religion and its influence on abortion across the world.
Another session worth mentioning was one on how the school system is failing black children, where there was a useful discussion on the effects of setting and streaming and New Labour’s continued use of the private sector in state education.
Overall, “Marxism” attracts a wide spectrum of left-wingers, and there were some good sessions. However, I found the way that people were chosen to speak from the floor (through handing in speaker slips with your name, organisation and what you roughly wanted to say) slightly disconcerting as contributions could be carefully selected. I also found the way in which I was constantly asked if I would consider joining without them knowing what my politics were somewhat shocking.
Anna Longman, York AWL
