It is constantly infuriating for long-standing left campaigners that the ultra-left try to corner the market, labelling everyone who does not subscribe to their centrally imposed, undemocratic theology as the ‘right’. And it’s happening again as the so called United-Left (which of course it never is) wrangles over which contender to support in the UNISON General Secretary election. Anyone who disagrees with their, well, disagreement, is labelled as ‘right wing’.
Opponents of Tory trade union laws, campaigners against fascism, internationalists, activists who believe in popular control of the means of production, who believe in a society and that puts the interests and values of working people at its heart and who want an organised and campaigning union, are all dismissed as ‘sycophants’ and ‘right-wingers’ if they back Dave Prentis for General Secretary.
‘Undemocratic’ is the other allegation that flies about. No lessons in democracy please from one party where only the Central Committee can nominate to the Central Committee (see here) and the other where only the outgoing National Committee nominates the incoming National Committee (see here). What’s the matter with a one member one vote ballot like we’re having over here in UNISON?
Having written off all other left expressions other than their own, grumblings are all over the blogosphere about the current disunity in the ‘united-left’ and what their own platform actually is. In particular, how can they resolve their inability to find one candidate to unite around?
According to the Socialist Party, Paul Holmes has no chance (what was that about groundswell?) but maybe Roger Bannister does
"…our assessment is that Paul Holmes does not have a genuine chance of beating Prentis and we do not believe that he would secure a better vote than Roger Bannister" , they say. http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/print/8771
Socialist Worker comments, "Three candidates have come forward – NEC members Paul Holmes and Roger Bannister, and Delroy Creary, secretary of Manchester Metropolitan University branch. Unfortunately attempts initiated by the United Left in Unison have failed so far to produce one agreed candidate. Socialist Worker supporters are calling for a nomination for Paul Holmes". http://www.socialistworker.co.uk/art.php?id=20221
But they go further with a super-wheeze. Never mind the principles, 'let’s see who gets most nominations and go for them'.
"Every serious activist should also support the call for a national meeting of all the left on 3 April. This will be after nominations close but before the deadline for withdrawals. The meeting should agree a single candidate of the left, based on demonstrable support through nominations.", says Socialist Worker.
Now, if they really go by who gets the most nominations, would they then back Dave Prentis? Doubt it.
So the ‘united-left’ candidate could be based on which one of the three who are not Dave Prentis wins the beauty contest.
UNISON branches might want to note that when they are nominating candidates. No matter who you want, the ‘united-left’ look like they want to decide that for you later on.
On the other hand, you do have an alternative. Nominate Dave Prentis who is not relying on factional support, who will stand and you know exactly what he is standing for – putting the union first.
This election will not be between ‘right-wing’ and ‘left -wing’. It will be between progressive left or factionalised left. It will be between strong and serious trade union organisation and the futility of gesture politics. There is only one serious choice – Dave Prentis.
