In 1904, the declaration of principles of the Socialist Party of Great Britain were agreed, the final clause 'calls upon the members of the working class of this country to muster under its banner'.
In April 1967, the Socialist Standard the publication of the Socialist Party of Great Britain (SPGB) carried on its front page an exhortation titled 'Let's Protest' with this accompanying article
http://socialiststandardmyspace.blogspot.com/2016/02/lets-protest-1967.html
When the CPGB was riding high, SPGB conference 1938 called a party poll of the entire membership that ruled that
'Are you in favour of a unit representing the Socialist Party marching with and being part of the procession organised to celebrate May Day ?
On 20 December the results were : For: 62 Against 103.
In 2013, Autumn Delegate Meeting discussed an item, asking if this is still relevant and should it be rescinded - adding
'It is important to note that there was an earlier Party Poll in 1938 that resulted in favour of the Party participating 'in the demonstrations of the May Day type'.'
Minutes of this meeting were never published.
I think it was at this ADM that a member suggested we walk in the opposite direction to the crowd.
At conference 2018 a motion
'Should the Party revise its position on activism and protesting reformist decisions made by either Government or local authorities that are harmful to the working class. Do we think that protesting things that are harmful to the working class is an act of reformism in itself.”
' mentioned in supporting statement
'We take the view that we can and should attend protests, strikes, May Day rallies and other demonstrations of activism. These demonstrations can be a great place for the SPGB to educate those who are angry at the current political climate about an alternative to capitalism. Take, for example, the recent march for the NHS. We could have attended that march with our banners, flags and leaflets representing the SPGB,
At this http://libcom.org/forums/theory/labours-anti-semitism-scandal-conclusive-proof-reformists-will-never-be-allowed-an?page=2#comment-608842 it was stated
As an aside i note that Jewish Labour MP Luciana Berger said: "Being 'present' is the same as being involved. "When I attend a memorial, my presence alone, whether I lay a wreath or not, demonstrates my association and support."This is similar to the SPGB position on demos and protests. We attend them, standing on the sidelines selling our literature of leafleting...we do not participate by marching along with our party enemies.
Whether we 'attend' or 'participate marching along' is semantics, we don't stand on the sidelines.
An example of standing on the sidelines?
https://socialiststandardmyspace.blogspot.com/2014/09/piecemeal.html
But my point on re-reading is badly expressed...i was suggesting that Corbyn could be attending the wreath-laying but not participating...as the SPGB does when it goes along to demos and marches, leafletting and setting up lit stalls without endorsing the purpose of the protest or supporting those who are taking part.
Personally, i would like to see an SPGB banner and members marching behind it (even if with zimmer frames and mobility scooters) just so that our fellow-workers do have an opportunity to "muster under its banner".