Stand with Corbyn, but go beyond politics of Labour

Jeremy Corbyn has been ousted from the Labour Party (Picture: Peace and Justice Project)

The decision by Labour’s national executive last week to ban Jeremy Corbyn as its candidate in Islington North at the behest of Keir Starmer is beneath contempt. But just as shameful, is the betrayal by some of Jeremy’s former supporters such as Momentum founder Jon Lansman.

He subsequently penned an article entitled, “Barring Corbyn is wholly unjustified. But I hope he won’t stand as an independent.” And the feeble protests of Jeremy’s fellow left Labour MPs have, frankly, been pathetic.

Sadly, though, I am not surprised. Jeremy is an honourable exception to the string of Labour leaders who have been willing to sell out whatever principles they ever had in order to get elected or advance their political careers.

It’s not just a matter of duplicity, betrayal or personal ambition. It’s in the DNA of parties such as Labour, which sets out to use parliament to improve the lives of working class people within capitalism rather than mobilise their collective power to overthrow it.

Since I began teaching in Islington more than 30 years ago—most of the time as a school NUT or NEU union rep, branch officer and, latterly, joint secretary —I have been involved in many disputes, strikes and campaigns. In that time, we have always been able to turn to Corbyn for support, whether it’s been striking over pay, opposing academisation and cuts, defending the NHS or fighting racism and war.

If Jeremy decides to stand as an independent in the coming general election, I along with many other local trade unionists and campaigners will mobilise to support him. But the future doesn’t lie with Labour, or with a more left wing version of the same animal. It lies with the workers striking and protesting here in Britain, France and around the world.

Ken Muller

North London

Plymouth’s tree-felling scandal

Plymouth City Council behaved disgracefully last month when it ripped up some 120 mature trees in one night. The devastation of our city centre was despite a petition, signed by over 16,000 people, to “save the trees”. This forced a fresh public consultation where more than 90 percent of people said no to the destruction. The council did it anyway.

The backlash and mass protests finally forced the Tory council leader to resign and exposed cross-party hypocrisy and negligence. Plymouth City Council has destroyed these mature trees, which operated as a carbon sink—absorbing pollution out of the air—and wildlife haven. Now the trees have been replaced with stone slabs and stunted saplings.

A complete ecosystem was destroyed at a time of ecological crisis. Why? Years of cuts to council budgets and jobs made the cost of environmental maintenance too expensive. And the priority of commercial interests alongside the profits of contractors and property speculators trampled over our quality of life and environmental protections.

Our campaign raised public concern for local democracy, accountability and climate-informed planning regulations. There are more than 600 grassroots campaigns fighting environmentally damaging town developments in Britain. Join yours, and fight back.

Tony Staunton

Plymouth

Thank you for support during our rail strike

The 30 March and 1 April rail strikes have been paused. This is because a very slightly improved offer is being closely looked at by the RMT union and considered.

Nevertheless, I’m writing on behalf of RMT union members in the Waterloo Station and Clapham Junction area. I want to thank members of the Socialist Workers Party, solidarity groups in Southwark and Lambeth, plus Battersea and Wandsworth TUC for giving us so much support.

Solidarity with all the workers that have been on strike recently is so important in lifting people’s spirits. Not all strikes end positively, but with good solid support who knows what can be achieved? It really helps us in our struggle for better terms and conditions, and once again—thank you everyone for your kind support.

Richard Alcock (pc)

Waterloo RMT branch

Guardian distorts the French protests

I am currently in Lille in northern France, where the strike on 28 March and the demonstration was massive. There was an article in the Guardian newspaper entitled, “French protesters and police clash in marches against pension changes.” It said, “In Lille, police used teargas after bus stops were smashed.”

The incident took place in Rue Gauthier de Chatillon, outside the post office on the Place de la Republique. Rue Gauthier de Chatillon is not a bus route, therefore there are no bus stops to smash.

I took part in the march that terminated at the Place de la Republique. It was a good natured trade union demonstration, composed overwhelmingly of working class trade unionists and students.

The police behaved in the most provocative manner. And when they were unable to provoke the demonstrators, attacked with a water cannon, tear gas and snatch squads. I wrote to the Guardian to point out their error, but the online report is unchanged. It makes me wonder about the rest of their reporting.

Steve Cushion

By email

I’m leaving the Labour Party

I’ve just read your article about how Jeremy Corbyn is being barred from standing as a Labour MP, (Socialist Worker, 28 March). I cancelled my membership last night, a sad sad day for a life-long Labour Party supporter.

Ben Bundy

On Facebook

Struggle—c’est bon!

I agree with your piece on the UCU union leadership’s attempts to surrender to the bosses, (Socialist Worker, 26 March). The trade union leadership in Britain is far too meek and reformist. France shows the way to go! Militant action now!

Scott Sutherland

Aberdeen

Thatcher’s real legacy

This week will be the tenth anniversary of the death of hated Tory prime minister and ruling class warrior Margaret Thatcher. A decade on, Britain in 2023 is one Thatcher would recognise.

Workers under attack from a nasty Tory government, a housing crisis and the vast sweep of privatisation of public services. But it’s not just misery. She would also recognise the picture of workers fighting back.

Thatcher’s attacks weren’t passively accepted by people, and the same is true for many groups of workers under the Rishi Sunak regime. We should hold onto the fact that the legacy of Thatcher is not just one of attacks, but also left a history of working class resistance, which we can draw on today.

Janice Owens

Suffolk

More bang for your buck

I loved the expanded issue of 24-page Socialist Worker, published on 28 March. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if it could be this size every week? Great stuff.

Mike Newman

Ceredigion