Building a mass revolutionary party is a task that has faced the extreme left since the after shocks of the Russian Revolution in 1917 The history of the movemichr- Coc somerSe the carly communist movement followed by its degencration due to stalinism, accompanied by the betrayal of social democracy and the Kowt o asesu nasc Deck discussed by others, particu• larly by Trotsky and his followers.
The question I am posing (and it is a question not an answer) is this:in the current situation in Britain, how should Marists expedite che 2 break of Labour Party members and sympathisers from that Party, overcome the cynicism of millions who don't vote - particularly the youth- and win back a secton or the poorcat workers and middle class attracted to Tne Tas iss sutEr The "entry tactic" will never solve the problem of the absence of a mass revolutionary party, nor will it lead to its formation. That tactic has been around for nearly 70 years! I well remember the Group round Gerry Healy and John Lawrence entering the Labour Party in 1948, As a member 1 know the experience was useful, indeed enlightening. Yes, we made some recruits. Ted Knight was one. We partici. pated and helped in the growth of Bevanism in 1952, 1953 and 1934 (an important lobs +services _ RICH Dudley hospital strikers challenging PFI and forcing UNISON to "reciew" Labour link New Labour have resulted in a shift in the mood within the Labour Party and in the mood of those normally voting Labour.
The vote for Livingstone, the parlamentary dissent over the Chairs of Select Committees, the abstention of millions of voters, the increasing opposition (mainly of youth) to global estore the link on pensións. CC Wl rOwin oE fascism and a serious increase in racist attacks in SITH IS the pensions link; an increase in the minimum We welcome readers' letters on any topic. Letters over 400 words may be cut for space reasons. Write to Socialist Outlook, PO Box 1109, London N4 2UU. email: [email protected] Under these circumstances Soc s oes wakeei