WSA at the crossroads
Jim | 12.01.2002 17:43
WSA at the crossroads
The Welsh Socialist Alliance holds its annual conference on January 19. It’s no exaggeration that its fragile unity could collapse as the Socialist Party threatens to withdraw from the Alliance if the SWP’s constitution is passed.
Cymru Goch has also made it clear that it sees no future in the WSA if it persists in avoiding taking a clear pro-independence position on the national question.
We also want a deeper alliance that puts class interests before sectional ones.
The prospect of the alliance’s two founding affiliates leaving has, at least, helped spark a debate among WSA members with non-aligned members determined to push the WSA into a more active role.
The recent resignation of a long-time SWP member suggests that, even within the majority organisation, all is not well.
The January 19 annual conference will be a cross-roads for the WSA. We cannot continue to fudge the issue by merely submitting standard motions opposing cuts, condemning bosses, calling for workers’ control of this, that and the other. They won’t mean a thing unless the alliance means something.
Either we take the WSA seriously and move it towards being a party committed to independence or we merge it with the English SA.
The Welsh Socialist Alliance holds its annual conference on January 19. It’s no exaggeration that its fragile unity could collapse as the Socialist Party threatens to withdraw from the Alliance if the SWP’s constitution is passed.
Cymru Goch has also made it clear that it sees no future in the WSA if it persists in avoiding taking a clear pro-independence position on the national question.
We also want a deeper alliance that puts class interests before sectional ones.
The prospect of the alliance’s two founding affiliates leaving has, at least, helped spark a debate among WSA members with non-aligned members determined to push the WSA into a more active role.
The recent resignation of a long-time SWP member suggests that, even within the majority organisation, all is not well.
The January 19 annual conference will be a cross-roads for the WSA. We cannot continue to fudge the issue by merely submitting standard motions opposing cuts, condemning bosses, calling for workers’ control of this, that and the other. They won’t mean a thing unless the alliance means something.
Either we take the WSA seriously and move it towards being a party committed to independence or we merge it with the English SA.
Jim
e-mail:
serengoch at hotmail.com
Comments
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Not much of a choice!
12.01.2002 21:26
That isn't much of a choice you present us with Serengoch.
There isn't the necessary agreement for the Welsh Socialist Alliance to become a party. There certainly isn't the necessary agreement there for it to become a pro-independence party!
At the same time, merging it with the now SWP-controlled English Socialist Alliance would be a disaster.
Why can't the WSA become what it was designed to be? A network within which Welsh leftists can cooperate on issues of common interest?
Brian Cahill
e-mail:
nigel_irritable@yahoo.com
Homepage:
groups.yahoo.com/group/thebell