George Galloway: My part in his downfall

The other day I received a couple of jolly emails from comrades, who told me that the blog site Socialist Unity, had a post by its editor, Andy Newman, suggesting that “Dave’s Part” and “John’s Labour blog” are responsible for the current split within diss-respect!

Apparently the SWP Central committee are claiming, that one of the major reasons for the split, is that SWP members (who “had gone native” and supported George Galloway) in early September 2007, had “leaked” very sensitive information to the deputy editor of the East London Advertiser, Ted Jeory. This is why they expelled a number of long standing SWPer's and led to a complete and utter breakdown of trust between the Central Committee and the Gorgeous one


The Socialist Unity post refers to a draft article being circulated by a SWP Central Committee member, Chris Harman (who apparently who was the model for a character in a play by Tariq Ali called “Nutty Shardman... who menaces others on the left with whom he has theoretical disagreements” – yep, this figures).

“Nutty” Harman implies that the leak was by the now expelled SWP member and Respect national officer, Rob “where has the money goneHoverman.

If true, then of course this would have significantly contributed to the breakup. However, “Socialist Unity” is now a “born again” fervent supporter of the Gorgeous one. They claim that the pure and honest Hoverman did not leak the information; Ted Jeory got it instead from my blog and Dave Osler’s.

Ted [the journalist who wrote the article] confirmed that he had picked up the letter on two websites, one run by sad sectarian Dave Osler and the other by right wing Tower Hamlets New Labourite John Grey (moi?). Ted had also read comment on the letter on those websites and the key paragraph five was based on what he had read there”.

I think my post that he is referring to is “Respect is cursed; moribund; weak; exhausted; amateur, mismanaged; unhealthy, irresponsible…says Galloway 2 September 2007 .This was also posted on Labourhome as “Respect is cursed...by Galloway” and has only recently dropped out of the “Recommend” list.
No further comment on the sources of this post.

Of course, I personally would have been very pleased to have contributed in anyway to the break up of diss-respect. I have been told that I will be awarded the Order of the “Silver Ice Pick" for some old reason?

However, the duplicitous old rogue Galloway is still a MP for now. I still think he is doomed politically. He may have got rid of the SWP and got some new “useful idiots” such as “Socialist Unity” for now. However, I think that he will just “use and abuse” them and they will eventually, just like the SWP, retire hurt licking their wounds. I know this is really political “la la” land, but just check out the posts at Socialist Unity even a few months ago about Galloway, when they all hatred him. Now (1984-ish) he is their hero.

For example... “Even were .....Galloway to have a damascene conversion, would anyone on the activist left trust them?.

It’s equally ironic and enjoyable to see Andy Newman “defending” Rob Hoverman. When in the past Andy (bravely to be fair) published this very personal retort from Rob about him.....

Andy....."You were a complete tosser the last time you flickered on to my radar and clearly nothing has changed. Now flicker off.”

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Re: George Galloway: My part in his downfall (#1)

If there is one thing more baffling, frustrating and pointless than the random sectarian hatreds, vendettas, denunciations and realignments that go on in the nether-regions of the non-Labour left, it is the astonishing amount of attention that people like John Gray and Luke Akehurst choose to pay them!

Re: George Galloway: My part in his downfall (#4)

Hi Doctordunc

 

I take your point – however where I happen to live (Newham) and work (Tower Hamlets) and in my trade union, “Respect/SWP” are actually the main (ish) opposition to the Labour Party.  I know this perhaps shouldn’t really matter but a minority of this mob have also been particularly ‘orrible in recent election campaigns (violent, threatening, racist and deliberately abusive).  Being called to your face a “white c**t who needs stabbing” does tend to concentrate the mind.

Re: George Galloway: My part in his downfall (#2)

I agree Dunc!


Although I'm aware John that you live in Tower Hamlets where Respect is actually a political force (I understand the members there have stuck with Galloway) but they aren't really a subject of discussion in 99% of the country!


Oh and its Hoveman, not Hoverman!

Re: George Galloway: My part in his downfall (#3)

Hoverman sounds like a rubbish superhero.  Like Tim Henman (is it a bird?  Maybe, but one that can't really fly!)

Re: George Galloway: My part in his downfall (#5)

Hi Repub

See reply to Dr Dunc ( I actually live in Newham).  Apologies to Rob H if I have got his name wrong but this is how SU spell his name?

 

Re: George Galloway: My part in his downfall (#6)

repub, I don't care if the BNP are 'only' a force within Barking&Dagenham and Burnley. It doesn't make Respect any less dangerous 'just' because they're 'only' a force within Tower Hamlets and Newham. These two parties are the most dangerous parties in the UK. If Respect become the main force within these two boroughs, what makes you think they can't become a force within other boroughs?

Re: George Galloway: My part in his downfall (#7)

I totally disagree.

The BNP are a fascist organisation, Respect - if we're talking about Respect Renewal without the SWP - are largely disillusioned traditional Labour supporters standing on a social democratic platform.

What's your point?

Re: George Galloway: My part in his downfall (#8)

Respect is made up of traditional Labour supporters. Bollocks. Respect espouses some pretty bigoted stuff, not to mention arrogant, and our Respect Correspondent, Grayee, I believe once told us of a candidate who thought that trade unionism- meant free trade. Not that social-democratic. It second, exacerbates the pseudo-jingoistic ethnic bloc parties. Respect is largely made up of many Muslim supporters. BNP efforts slowly trickled into the neighbouring borough. Respect knew they wouldn't be able to covince alot of people who were anti-war to convert to the far-left, so they concentrated their efforts on ethnic bloc voting.

My point is that if they lay their foundations in their East London boroughs, and Galloway gains Poplar, Respect hold onto Bethnal Green, the dominoes start rolling. The rest of Tower Hamlets, newham, maybe Selma Yaqoob gains a seat in Birmingham. The BNP will be beneficial factors of this.

Re: George Galloway: My part in his downfall (#9)

OK so they've engaged some people not previously involved in the political process on the basis of opposition to war, any may not be the most progressive on economics.

But I think if you look at the general election manifesto you would term it broadly social democratic.

And let's be clear, our own Labour government seems to favour free trade and privatisation.

Re: George Galloway: My part in his downfall (#10)

Labour has perhaps given into privatisation, confusing it with Jung's vision of a maiden: representing lust and innocence. The all too luring aspect of 'not spending as much', and political posturing seduced them. In fact, subsidies for companies end up costing more, and being less effective. However, free trade, doesn't necessarily mean unfair trade, it's an issue that needs to be explored.


Respect's 'social democracy' is bathing on quick sand. 'Social Democracy' is a concept in this paticular party which was a compromise by those who wanted to form an ethnic-bloc party, and far-left members who had never dreamed of gaining influence.