Discussion & Debate

Fred Leplat from Barnet Left Unity joins the debate about the nature of the party we seek to build. Nick Wrack accuses Mike Marqusee of “avoiding the issues” in his contribution about the character of Left Unity. One could equally retort to Nick that he does not pose the right questions about what sort of […] Read more »

In PART TWO of a 2-part article, Socialist Platform supporter John Tummon argues for a neglected part of the socialist tradition to pave the way for Left Unity to put together a compelling alternative to capitalism which can win the battle of ideas in the long-term, by focusing on issues the Left has too often […] Read more »

Soraya Lawrence, from Southwark Left Unity, makes some proposals for discussion and campaigns.  The debate of ideas is a healthy expression that those involved in Left Unity are striving to create a substantial force to change society. It is, therefore, essential that the tone of the debate should at all times be comradely, with no hint […] Read more »

In PART ONE of a 2-part article, Socialist Platform supporter John Tummon argues for a neglected part of the socialist tradition to pave the way for Left Unity to put together a compelling alternative to capitalism which can win the battle of ideas in the long-term, by focusing on issues the Left has too often […] Read more »

Nick Wrack, a supporter of the Socialist Platform, invites its critics to engage with what it says. In his contribution to the debate, “For what it’s worth,” Mike Marqusee uses over eight hundred words to take up the Socialist Platform but fails to deal with its content in any way save one, which he gets […] Read more »

There seem to be two broad approaches emerging in discussions within Left Unity: some who want to create an overtly socialist party and some who want a social democratic party, says John Keeley from Folkestone Left Unity. What would be better a socialist or a social democratic party? Firstly, let’s understand that social democracy is […] Read more »

A debate has opened up among Left Unity (LU) supporters in relation to the political and strategic orientation and organisational form of the new party of the left that those involved in the LU project aim to launch this November, says Ed Rooksby. Three competing ‘platforms’ have emerged, each proposing a distinct set of founding […] Read more »

The appearance of platforms within Left Unity in preparation for the founding conference is a very welcome development, says Dave Parks.  So far there are three platforms; the Left Party Platform, the Socialist Platform and the Class Struggle Platform.  In one word these platforms could perhaps be summarised as: “broad”, “socialist” and “struggle”.  For myself […] Read more »

Left Party Platform supporter Mike Marqusee adds his thoughts on the debate about the kind of party Left Unity needs to build. I’m one of those thousands who signed up to Ken Loach’s Left Unity appeal a few months back. I did so because I’m convinced we need a left electoral alternative in this country […] Read more »

We face the probability of a terrible decline in the social wealth of the working people in the UK, a critical change in the life experience of working class people, says Felicity Dowling. Hunger, want and fear are coming back to this and other countries. Thousands have signed petitions supporting the call for a new […] Read more »