tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257493550531569180.post5355910904239970828..comments2024-03-18T23:58:10.256+13:00Comments on AGAINST THE CURRENT: HOPELESSUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257493550531569180.post-15211576967536313962014-05-22T13:06:28.190+12:002014-05-22T13:06:28.190+12:00Agreed of course - aside of the idea of "a ne...Agreed of course - aside of the idea of "a new left party". <br /><br />I'd argue that - instead of repetitions of failed, formulaic top-down best-intentions - the working class will be best served by building, at rank & file level, our own independent political movement. <br /><br />Harder to accomplish and less spectacular in the short run, perhaps, but potentially THE extra-parliamentary democratic force capitalism can't reckon with.Jim Gladwinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257493550531569180.post-88787630286686256682014-05-21T20:23:27.776+12:002014-05-21T20:23:27.776+12:00The answer is that Labour Government's, despit...The answer is that Labour Government's, despite the rhetoric, have always been tied to the demands of capital. The difference is that in the past 30 years they have become vehicles to pursue neoliberal policies. They are effectively dead as progressive political forces. I think, from your opening comments, you probably agree with this.<br /><br />It is quite clear that the Labour Party is a lost cause and has been for decades. Of course Labour never was a socialist party, but the prospects in being 'reclaimed' of even a party of mild social democratic reforms is zero. <br /><br />My argument has always been that we need a new left party. But it is the union bosses and various Labour cheerleaders in the media who are peddling the illusion that the 'solution' is voting Labour in November. <br />Steven Cowanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04352539377513132294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257493550531569180.post-34422313100929138562014-05-21T15:15:46.757+12:002014-05-21T15:15:46.757+12:00Serious questions... When, ever, has Labour (Socia...Serious questions... When, ever, has Labour (Social Democracy) not been "tied to the demands of capital"? Who doesn't know how neo-liberalism has been implemented through the past three decades? Even Keynesian reforms were fitting for - and acceptable to - capitalism, and implemented accordingly by "left" & "right" governments globally... <br />As it stands, isn't your opinion piece implicitly suggesting Labour is capable of untying itself from "the demands of capital" - perhaps as simply as via a stuffed shirt stumping-up smarter electoral tactics to counter "danger of falling further behind ... in the polls"? I wouldn't be asking had you not extended to "the consequences of a third term National-led government". Isn't this suggesting that Labour can break from "the demands of capital"? Therefore, isn't this, also, perpetuating/peddling illusion to the working class? Jim Gladwinnoreply@blogger.com