Dear all,

This is an open letter to all those on the left who are planning on visiting, participating in or speaking at the Marxism 2014 conference from the 10th to the 14th of July this year. It comes from a collective of other left activists, students and workers – we hope that you’ll understand that this is in no way an ‘attack on the left’ or a petty sectarian squabble. In fact, we would like to see a stronger, more inclusive movement in this country and internationally where all people are able to participate and work for real liberation. And it’s because of this we are asking you to reconsider, and not attend Marxism 2014.

You might already know that the festival is hosted by the Socialist Workers Party (though not everyone does when they agree to take part or buy a ticket), and that the Marxism festival is their main event of the year where they hope to boost membership and sign up hundreds of new members. The event also bolsters their reputation as one of the largest and most important groups on the left in the UK through the number and range of speakers. However, this year the diversity of speakers is not what it used to be, due to a growing number of people on the left unwilling to work with the SWP, or withdrawing public support for them. They’ve also had to admit in their party notes that they’re now trying to recruit people with “little or no knowledge or experience of left politics”. This is because of a crisis the party is unwilling to discuss. It’s the the same crisis that leads us to ask you not to support Marxism 2014 or the SWP.

In 2013, a report was leaked showing that a senior member of the Socialist Worker’s Party had been accused of the sexual harassment and rape of two younger members of the party. They chose to deal with the issue internally, through their 'disputes committee’ in a victim blaming show trial run by long time friends and colleagues of the man accused. To give an idea of how bad this was, the women who had come forward with the allegations were questioned on their past relationships and even asked “if it was fair to say [they] liked a drink”. These kinds of questions do nothing but lay the blame for what happened to these women on their own actions. At the end of the process, the accused 'Comrade Delta’ was essentially let off the hook – although he was suspended from his public position, he stayed in the party, close to those running the show. We only know anything of what happened because other party members were so shocked that they leaked transcripts onto the internet – the SWP has been keen to hide the whole affair. When people did start to talk about it, the SWP Central Committee (the 'ruling body’ of the party) responded by threatening to kick out members who wouldn’t shut up and accusing those who complained of allowing 'creeping feminism’ into the organisation. As if that was something terrible. This was not an isolated incident and others have since spoken out about similar cases and treatment in the organisation.

Following this, almost all of their student groups have abandoned them. But the SWP refuses to change its position or admit it did anything wrong. Individuals who have challenged them in public have been met with intimidating behaviour and abuse and been called everything from misogynists to Nazis for daring to say that these attitudes towards rape are not ok. We all feel that it’s unacceptable for the SWP to carry on as if nothing has happened, covering up allegations of sexual abuse, shouting down dissent and bullying people who question them. We think that people should know about the allegations and how the SWP handled them, since they’re trying to make it all disappear. Our movement should be safe from this kind of misogyny and rape apologism.



Please join us in sending a clear message to the SWP that sexual abuse is not something that can be covered up, dismissed or ignored by refusing to support Marxism 2014. A left movement needs to be inclusive of women and it is vital that we reject the attitudes held by the SWP to build towards a strong, powerful movement for all.