The ongoing crisis in the Socialist Workers’ Party –
precipitated by the handling of rape allegations against a senior party member
– has raised fundamental questions about democracy, power and sexism in the
organisations and culture of the left. We believe that the way in which the
central committee of the SWP has handled the situation, and its lack of a
reasonable response to the legitimate protests voiced by many of its own
members, as well as others on the left, point to issues that cannot simply be
swept under the rug.
We have all previously participated in events and
initiatives promoted by the SWP, including the annual Marxism festival, or
written for its publications. We continue to value the commitment and work of
many SWP members as trades unionists, activists and comrades. Nonetheless, we
can no longer in good conscience participate in SWP publications and platforms
until the party recognises and seriously addresses the legitimate criticisms of
its handling of this case and the ensuing crisis.
Greg Albo, Abbie Bakan, Jairus Banaji, Gail Day, Steve
Edwards, Nadine El-Enany, Phil Gasper, Peter Hallward, Adam Hanieh, Owen
Hatherley, Paul Kellogg, Brian Kelly, Conor Kostick, Robert Knox, Thomas
Marois, David McNally, Adam Morton, James Murphy, Kevin Murphy, Ilan Pappé,
Charles Post, Nina Power, Gregory Schwartz, Peter Thomas, Alberto Toscano,
Thomas Walpole, Jeffery Webber, Rafeef Ziadah
