Against socialist participation in Starmer’s shadow cabinet

(Motion to LRC AGM 05.09.20 From Stan Keable)

It was right to condemn the sacking of Rebecca Long-Bailey from Labour’s shadow cabinet, another example of the ongoing anti-Zionism equals anti-Semitism witch-hunt. However, instead of calling for her reinstatement, the socialist left should use her sacking as an opportunity to discuss, debate and agree our attitude to participation in Keir Starmer's shadow cabinet. It is, after all, committed to running capitalism, not replacing it. In effect, the shadow cabinet is a capitalist government in waiting. RLB calls herself a socialist - she is a member of the Socialist Campaign Group of Labour MPs. We oppose the participation of socialist MPs in capitalist governments. Likewise we should oppose socialist MPs being members of shadow cabinets which do not aspire to challenge the rule of capitalism. The place for socialist MPs is on the backbenches as the extreme opposition, directing their fire not only against the Tory capitalist government but also against Labour’s capitalist government in waiting. Socialist MPs should act as tribunes of the people, championing extra-parliamentary struggles and fighting for the replacement of the rule of the capitalist class by the rule of the working class - socialism. As Keir Hardie famously said in 1910, we need Labour MPs, “not to keep governments in office or to turn them out, but to organise the working class into a great, independent political power to fight for the coming of socialism”.

Please forward any suggested amendments to this motion along with the names of 10 supporting signatories to:

lrc.conferenceinfo2020@gmail.com

Supported by:

Stan Keable
Harry Stannard
John McGrory
Mick Brooks
Graham Bash
Patrick Hall
Alison McGarry
Terry Conway
Pete Firmin
Ellen Robottom