The loser left departs its ivory tower: Sanders, Corbyn and principled pragmatism for the Anglophone communist movement

Corbyn/Sanders
Corbyn/Sanders

libcom.org is proud to announce that we will be taking part in the formation of the new transatlantic initiative to fight the rise of the far right in the UK and US.

Submitted by Steven. on April 1, 2016

We are living in dark times. For years now, on both sides of the Atlantic, we have been watching the ever-rightward shift of the political centre ground. We must now do what we can resist that shift.

For this reason, we are throwing all the weight of libcom.org behind the recently-formed North Atlantic Anti-Fascist Front and support the electoral efforts of Bernie Sanders and Jeremy Corbyn. Though we may have strong criticisms of both candidates, we must put those aside to stand united against a greater enemy, the threat to democracy posed both by Donald Trump and UKIP and the Tories' Brexit faction.

As such, we will not longer be running articles criticising the policies of either candidate. The time is simply not right.

Yes, it is true that we normally support principled abstention but this election really is the most important one of our lifetimes. As such, while not forgetting the core principles which define us as a movement, we must not allow them to become fixed dogma. As such we feel now is the time to be pragmatic and flexible to adopt the most beneficial approach for our class.

What can you do?

  • Campaign and vote for Bernie Sanders in the Democratic Primaries!
  • Campaign and vote for Sadiq Khan in the upcoming London mayoral election!
  • Campaign and vote for Britain to stay in Europe!
  • Get your political group or union branch to sign this statement!

Against Republican Trump fascism! Against Tory Brexit fascism! For a truly democratic and anti-fascist North Atlantic!

libcom.org

Supporters' signatories

Solidarity Federation
Fight Racism! Fight Imperialism!
RS21
Twin Cities IWW
Class War
Hackney Unison
Rail, Martime and Transport Workers Union
Noam Chomsky
Anarkismo
Michael Albert
Novara Media
West Midlands NUT
David Graeber
Unite Against Fascism
Northern Anarchist Network
Andrej Grubačić

Comments

Spikymike

7 years 12 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Spikymike on April 1, 2016

Love it!! just right for an announcement on this auspicious day. Beats the UK Guardian spoof hands down. Might get a few complaints from some of our 'friends' though.

Entdinglichung

7 years 12 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Entdinglichung on April 1, 2016

:-)

Serge Forward

7 years 12 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Serge Forward on April 1, 2016

Post removed for flaming Jeremy and Bernie.

Entdinglichung

7 years 12 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Entdinglichung on April 1, 2016

I thought that SPGB, CWO, AWL and NCP would participate, have they backed down?

Entdinglichung

7 years 12 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Entdinglichung on April 1, 2016

dp

Sharkfinn

7 years 12 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Sharkfinn on April 1, 2016

Fight Fascism!!! ARM JOHN MCDONNELL NOW!!!

-although I am beginning to find even more revolutionary praxis in the feudal communist thought of Saint Thomas More, "the Peoples Lord Chancellor"

rooieravotr

7 years 12 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by rooieravotr on April 1, 2016

I would propose to include the SWP in this broad, progressive, democratic alliance. And the Meakly Worker.

gram negative

7 years 12 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by gram negative on April 1, 2016

*post that implies that the real politics of libcop are finally revealed*

jondwhite

7 years 12 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by jondwhite on April 1, 2016

:)

Pennoid

7 years 12 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Pennoid on April 1, 2016

TC IWW Would tho. (jk)

Chilli Sauce

7 years 12 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Chilli Sauce on April 1, 2016

Suprised not to see Zizek on that illustrious list of signatories.;-)

Entdinglichung

7 years 12 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Entdinglichung on April 1, 2016

Chilli Sauce

Suprised not to see Zizek on that illustrious list of signatories.;-)

he is secretly a member of most of the listed orgs

Chilli Sauce

7 years 12 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Chilli Sauce on April 1, 2016

The lead member of the libcom admin group, I hear.

jef costello

7 years 12 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by jef costello on April 1, 2016

I've recently joined the ICC and as such cannot comment on this until it has been approved by the central committee, so with any luck Bernie will be able to reach the same heights as FDR and I will be able to support him in his bid for a third term.

As communists we demand that Corbyn and Sanders issue an unequivocal statement repudiating all links with the parasite Philippe Bourrinet.

http://en.internationalism.org/icconline/201502/12079/doctor-bourrinet-fraud-and-self-proclaimed-historian

Chilli Sauce

The lead member of the libcom admin group, I hear.

I would like to express my solidarity with Zizek in the face of this attack.

petey

7 years 12 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by petey on April 1, 2016

jef costello

Chilli Sauce

The lead member of the libcom admin group, I hear.

I would like to express my solidarity with Zizek in the face of this attack.

:D

WithDefiance

7 years 12 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by WithDefiance on April 1, 2016

WTF is going on here? Is there a coup-détat taking place at LibCom? Is this a 1st of april joke?!

Khawaga

7 years 12 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Khawaga on April 1, 2016

Definitively a change in libcom's politics. Through the grapevine I've heard that there have been an intense internal fight about this new direction, and from what I understand this is just the opening salvo. The admins that dissented were sent to the bitcoin mines..

The Pigeon

7 years 12 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by The Pigeon on April 1, 2016

You totally got me libcom you foolsters!! My heart skipped a beat when I found out the party heads wanted me to sign up for the Popular Front

Juan Conatz

7 years 12 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Juan Conatz on April 1, 2016

I thought that the Nightmare Communist Party (NCP) had also endorsed this?

LauraMarx

7 years 12 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by LauraMarx on April 1, 2016

historic

Devrim

7 years 12 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Devrim on April 1, 2016

I saw this, and didn't realize it was an April fools thing at first because I wouldn't be at all surprised by anarchists supporting electoral campaigns.

Devrim

Cooked

7 years 12 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Cooked on April 1, 2016

Devrim

I saw this, and didn't realize it was an April fools thing at first because I wouldn't be at all surprised by anarchists supporting electoral campaigns.

Devrim

I didn't think this April fools article was very funny until I read Devrims "dour faced leftcommie" impression. Suddenly the whole thing is hillarious!

Devrim

7 years 12 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Devrim on April 1, 2016

It's nice to know I made someone smile.

Devrim

Pennoid

7 years 12 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Pennoid on April 1, 2016

Leftcoms are principled anti-electoralists. That's why they boycott orgs with more than 1 member.

Biffard Misqueegan

7 years 12 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Biffard Misqueegan on April 1, 2016

My heart was broken til i figured it out.. SOBs ;)

noslavery

7 years 12 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by noslavery on April 2, 2016

Not funny, actually disappointing!

Steven.

7 years 12 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Steven. on April 2, 2016

Devrim

I saw this, and didn't realize it was an April fools thing at first because I wouldn't be at all surprised by anarchists supporting electoral campaigns.

Devrim

screw you, Devrim

Entdinglichung

7 years 12 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Entdinglichung on April 3, 2016

jef costello

I've recently joined the ICC and as such cannot comment on this until it has been approved by the central committee, so with any luck Bernie will be able to reach the same heights as FDR and I will be able to support him in his bid for a third term.

As communists we demand that Corbyn and Sanders issue an unequivocal statement repudiating all links with the parasite Philippe Bourrinet.

btw.: Is there any way how I can become a parasite WITHOUT joining the ICC before?

Devrim

7 years 12 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Devrim on April 3, 2016

Steven.

screw you, Devrim

Have Class War supported electoral campaigns before? Does Chomsky support electoralism?

Devrim

radicalgraffiti

7 years 12 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by radicalgraffiti on April 3, 2016

you said anarchists before, now your talking about class war and chomsky? which is it devrim?

Devrim

7 years 12 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Devrim on April 3, 2016

They both refer to themselves as anarchists.

Devrim

Joseph Kay

7 years 12 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Joseph Kay on April 3, 2016

Every election there's at least some anarchists arguing this time it's different. Hardly a majority, but Devrim's not pulling it out of thin air.

Anyway, since we forgot to edit in [April Fools] at 12:00, we're now committed to this policy by collective responsibility, so if people can start linking to anti-electoral content that will help the purge. Thanks.

Steven.

7 years 12 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Steven. on April 3, 2016

Devrim

Steven.

screw you, Devrim

Have Class War supported electoral campaigns before? Does Chomsky support electoralism?

Devrim

Yes, but they are not us, and you've known us for over 10 years!

Devrim

7 years 12 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Devrim on April 3, 2016

No, I know they are not you. I didn't actually read the piece properly. I just skimmed through it. I checked the signatories at the end. I wasn't surprised by some. I was surprised by others, such as SolFed. I've only just noticed its signed by libcom now. My feeling about it was 'it's pretty awful, but yeah, not totally surprising. Someone later told me it was an April fool's joke. I suppose I was taken in, so the jokes on me. I'd imagine though that I'm not the only person who believed (though maybe I am particularly stupid), and that some of them read the article, and didn't read the thread. In which case some people may have gone away thinking tie is what anarchist politics are today, which I suppose means that the joke is sort of on you too.

Devrim

Steven.

7 years 12 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Steven. on April 4, 2016

Devrim

I've only just noticed its signed by libcom now.

Fair enough then, assumed you had seen it as it says it in the first line.

I'd imagine though that I'm not the only person who believed (though maybe I am particularly stupid), and that some of them read the article, and didn't read the thread. In which case some people may have gone away thinking tie is what anarchist politics are today, which I suppose means that the joke is sort of on you too.

That was the point of the joke; we assumed it would be believable to everyone except libcom regulars. We have seen quite a few muppets sharing this favourably on Twitter, for example