The Socialist Workers Party (UK) has purged three high visibility members in a fight ostensibly about whether they should be allowed to hold posts within Respect, the left wing party co-founded by member of parliament George Galloway.
But the fight seems more about the Central Committee of SWP wanting to maintain control than anything else. From the outside, it looks like one of “let’s shoot ourselves in the foot” tragicomedies the Left sometimes inflicts upon itself. From the inside, it may well look different. But bruised feelings, ruptured friendships, and smashed alliances will certainly follow, and the damage will take years to heal, if it does at all.
All a friend can say is, ain’t it a shame. (And yeah, I have been there…)