In the run-up to the by-election, I was horrified to see comments on some left social media platforms that stated that it didn’t matter if RefUK won in Makerfield – and even that it wouldn’t matter if Farage became PM!
Another worrying attitude expressed on some of those sites was that Burnham was worse than Farage! All such people needed to do was call Burnham a ‘social fascist’, and they would have committed the same criminal political stupidity as the leaders of the German Communist Party before 1933, who described the Social Democrats as ‘social fascists’ and therefore saw them as more of a threat to the working-class movement than the Nazis!
Not creeping but striding
These are all worrying indications that at least some on the left haven’t fully comprehended just what a threat we’re currently facing from the far right in the UK. Such complacent attitudes are particularly worrying, given how – despite its short existence – Restore Britain has moved closer to positions shared by outright fascist groups. And, in doing so, is pulling Reform UK even further to the right.
As the most recent ‘Farage Riots’ – in Belfast, Glasgow, and elsewhere – have shown, we on the left are clearly facing a clear and pressing danger from well-funded far-right and fascist parties and groups in the midst of neoliberalism’s increasingly barbaric and destructive global polycrisis.
An equally-worrying indication of the nature of the far-right threat is provided by what RefUK have already started to do in the councils they now control after May’s local elections. As well as steps to abandon DEI policies, we’ve also seen some RefUK councils refuse to fly rainbow flags during Pride celebrations. For those who have watched Russell T. Davies’ recent Channel 4 drama Tip Toe, those are both really chilling developments – especially, but not only, for the LGBTQ+ communities.
Together we win – divided we fall
The rise of far-right and fascist parties has already plunged us into dark and ‘interesting’ times – making the UK part of one of the biggest political storms currently hitting many other European countries. To face that existential threat, the revolutionary left will need to help create and build – and act decisively in – mass anti-fascist movements.
For all its current weaknesses, the Together Alliance is something that anti-fascists in the UK cannot safely ignore. Because one thing has to be recognised by the revolutionary left in the UK: currently, we have limited numbers – and even less by way of means of defence against the looming threats presented by the UK’s far right.
In such circumstances, we cannot afford to become isolated from the Together Alliance which, despite several shortcomings, managed to put 500,000 people on the streets of London behind one very clear political slogan: ‘Against the Far Right’. This was by far the biggest demo in UK history against the far right:
Fig. 3 – Half a million march together: Against the far right
During WW2, much of the revolutionary left – often already divided – were slow to get involved with the main Resistance groups fighting fascist occupation, whether it was the Italian or the German variety. The main reason was because many of the leaderships of such Resistance groups were bourgeois/pro-capitalist, socialist and/or Stalinist.
Today, limiting ourselves to criticism, explanation and advice – though necessary – is nowhere near enough to block the rise of the far right. Revolutionaries in particular cannot just be spectators – especially in such dangerous times. And by getting involved, organising and campaigning within such broad fronts is how we make them stronger and head them in the right direction, in an ultimately revolutionary and anti-capitalist orientation. And it’s also how we grow the revolutionary left. We certainly won’t grow by standing on the sidelines like small propagandist groups, voicing our criticisms – no matter how right those criticism are.
Yes, there are groups involved with Together Alliance which do not see fascism as being a feature of capitalism. But surely one crucial aspect of the Together Alliance is that the major trade unions are also involved, as are the TUCs of England, Cymru and Scotland. If they are there, then surely the revolutionary should be too? If we are a formal part of that movement, despite being aware of its weaknesses, we can help shape its future direction.
‘Splendid isolation’ – remaining apart from where important sections of the organised labour movement are – isn’t the best recipe for influencing the Together Alliance, or for successfully preventing a RefUK government. Nor, for that matter, is it the best way for revolutionary left groups to attract new members and supporters. We should get fully involved, despite its shortcomings – because that’s where many of the most-committed anti-fascist working-class militants currently are.
Essentially, we can’t afford to limit ourselves to general – but essentially sterile – political propaganda about the ‘right’ ideas and positions. Surely, with such an actual and potential increase in anti-far right mobilisations, that is where we should be, in the centre, offering practical help towards building that movement – not mainly standing on the sidelines, offering little more than healthier perspectives?
Taking history as it is
As Beckett showed, ‘Waiting for Godot’ was no use as regards gaining salvation. But waiting for the ‘perfect’ mass working-class united front against fascism to appear is not going to get us anywhere either.
As Marx said:
“World history would indeed be very easy to make if the struggle were taken up only on condition of infallibly favourable chances.”
Elsewhere, he also pointed out that:
“Men make their own history, but not of their own free will; not under circumstances they themselves have chosen but under the given and inherited circumstances with which they are directly confronted.”
Or as Trotsky put it more succinctly:
“History must be taken as she is.”
Thus, all anti-fascists – and especially revolutionary anti-fascists – arguably have no other choice, right now, but to support the best that’s currently available, even though it’s not perfect. And then we work hard to make it better. At the moment, there doesn’t appear to be any other organisation better than the Together Alliance capable of building the most effective anti-far right movement possible.
And such a movement is something we need increasingly urgently. As the Together Alliance is arguably the best material we have at hand at present, we can’t afford just to adopt a ‘purist’ attitude, and stand on the sidelines as regards that organisation.
The first stage of trying to forge a revolutionary anti-fascist politics and movement consists of working with the best available – no matter its imperfections – and helping it evolve into something closer to what’s needed. It isn’t effective anti-fascism – or revolutionary Marxism – to stand apart from the struggle, and thus fail to make the links and interventions needed to move from the present given situation to a more advanced one.
Two easy first steps
So here are two suggested easy first steps:
- Revolutionary left groups should become official supporters of the Together Alliance
- Then members of such revolutionary left groups should take part in the planning conferences that the Together Alliance is holding in October – and urge a more ‘United Front’ approach
As Captain Barnacles of the Octonauts might say if he were an anti-fascist: “Anti-fascists, let’s do this!”