Jonathan Joseph looks at other soclalists' responses to the SLP THE PRESS had a field day. Here was 'old Labour' squab. bling again. Tommy Sheridan had stormed out of the room.
Such events give a flavour of how ill-prepared the birth of the SLP has been.
There is a major problem concerning Militant Labour's involvement in the project.
All along Militant has welcomed it. The big problem is see does nor wantar organised current in his party.
The draft constitution drawn up by barristers Michael Mans. field and John Hendy excludes "individuals and organisations other than bona fide trade un. Ions which have their own pro. gramme, principles and policies". more misplaced considering that the politics of the SLP have yet to be properly debated.
This puts Militant In a difficult position. ney nave stateo their displeasure at being excluded from the SLP but have pledged to carry on supporting it from the outside.
Such a position can only be understood if we examine the political justification Militant have given for the SLP.
For them It is no longer possi. bie to change the Labour Party. The SLP is seen as an alternative based on the supposedly socialist values of Labour's past.
This shows Militant are still deeply influenced by labourist definitions of socialism.
Coupled with this is the dismanu omans own electoralist project. The SLP is their last straw.
For the Socialist Workers' Party the SLP also provides a problem.
It is threatened by another pole of attraction outside the Labour Party, although it has now welcomed it as "putting social.