Why Jeremy Corbyn should support the boycott of the Socialist Workers Party Beyond noticing that they seem to have cornered the market in protest placard distribution, I imagine the average reader doesn’t […]

Beyond noticing that they seem to have cornered the market in protest placard distribution, I imagine the average reader doesn’t know much about the Socialist Workers’ Party. It’s part of a vast ecosystem of tiny parties and organisations situated to the left of Labour, which together form a radical left subculture that can be confusing and opaque to outside observers.

So it might be tempting to greet the news that various left-wing organisations and figures are calling for a boycott of SWP events (and criticising Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn for his continued attendance) with a shrug. After all, leftist infighting is nothing new.

However, the widespread revulsion towards the SWP from other parts of the radical left has nothing to do with petty ideological differences.

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Why a boycott?

In 2013, the way allegations of sexual violence made by a 17-year-old girl against a senior figure were dealt with by the party led to its near-collapse.

She was asked questions about her alcohol consumption and sexual history and left the room in floods of tears

The SWP politically disapproves of police involvement, so the teenager was asked to testify in front of a kangaroo court made up of the accused’s close associates. She was asked questions about her alcohol consumption and sexual history and left the room in floods of tears.

In addition, a sustained campaign of harassment was launched against two female party members who helped the victim bring her allegation to the party committee. At the SWP’s national conference the committee announced it’s verdict: not guilty. Anyone who disagreed was asked to leave the party and around 700 resigned in disgust.

How the party tried to move on

In subsequent years, the SWP has made an active effort to rehabilitate its image. There has been no apology, change in power structure or serious attempt to tackle the culture of sexual violence apologism and misogyny.

Instead, the organisation sets up and latches onto other campaign groups, often in the anti-racism space. Left-wing Labour MPs and other external figures are recruited into often ceremonial committee roles. The extent of SWP involvement is masked and affiliations are formed with trade unions and other organisations. However, organisational power rests primarily with SWP figures.

Using other groups as a front

Though some supporters are unaware, Stand Up To Racism and Unite Against Fascism are two such organisations. SWP committee member Weyman Bennett is joint secretary of Unite Against Fascism and on the organising committee of Stand Up To Racism. Labour MPs Diane Abbott and Kate Osamor have ceremonial committee roles.

Younger activists are particularly unwilling to accept SWP associations

Activists who oppose the culture of the SWP have called for a boycott on any events organised by these groups. As such, groups including Black Lives Matter UK, East End Sisters Uncut and Southall Black Sisters signed a letter to speakers booked for a recent Stand Up To Racism conference explaining the situation and urging them to pull out. The goal is to stifle insidious attempts by the SWP to use anti-racism activities to rehabilitate its image and recruit new members.

Corbyn is alienating supporters

Jeremy Corbyn and left-wing commentator Owen Jones were two of the speakers contacted and both responded saying they’d no longer be appearing at the event. Only Jones was telling the truth. Corbyn’s team has released a statement claiming there was simply a misunderstanding about scheduling, but he’s managed to alienate some of his strongest left-wing supporters.

Many are questioning what kind of movement they’ve signed up for. Though longstanding associations might make it awkward, it’s essential that Corbyn makes a sharp break with groups of this kind. Younger activists are particularly unwilling to accept SWP associations and he relies on their energy, enthusiasm and support to succeed.

I don’t personally believe that Corbyn shares the SWP’s attitude towards sexual violence, but there’s nothing admirable about tacitly condoning this behaviour. From a politician whose main sell is supposed to be his honestly and moral consistency it’s particularly disappointing.

If this was an isolated mistake, fine. But he needs to reassure supporters that it’s not going to happen again.