Does Joe Higgins allow dissent in his party ?

[patronsaint]

Met a distant relative over the weekend. I knew he used to be a member of Joe Higgin's party ( can never remember is it the SP or the SWP ) and canvassed and did the usual stuff for him about 20 years ago when they were known as the Militants.
Anyway, when I asked him if he was still involved, he said no, that he had been ostracised and eventually chose to leave when he disagreed with Joe on one issue ( think it might have been something to do with the North ). When I said I was surprised at this, he laughed and said the party is different to all others, disagree with the leader and you're finished. But, come to think of it, I don't remember any disagreements publicly by some members the way you would find from time to time in other parties , particularly at conferences, etc. Can anyone confirm that what the guy said was right ? Surely, they can't all be on message on every single issue ?

[odie1kanobe]

Mao didn't allow dissent either.

[Darren Mac an Phríora]

Met a distant relative over the weekend. I knew he used to be a member of Joe Higgin's party ( can never remember is it the SP or the SWP ) and canvassed and did the usual stuff for him about 20 years ago when they were known as the Militants.
Anyway, when I asked him if he was still involved, he said no, that he had been ostracised and eventually chose to leave when he disagreed with Joe on one issue ( think it might have been something to do with the North ). When I said I was surprised at this, he laughed and said the party is different to all others, disagree with the leader and you're finished. But, come to think of it, I don't remember any disagreements publicly by some members the way you would find from time to time in other parties , particularly at conferences, etc. Can anyone confirm that what the guy said was right ? Surely, they can't all be on message on every single issue ?

There is a chapter on the SP in Ireland in the below book. Actually it is on their international grouping the CWI. They are strongest in Ireland which is illuminating on how strong they are. The author Dennis Tourish debated with some on their members on indymedia.ie about four times. Do a search for him there and have a read. Note though: you may be disturbed.

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Chapter

[patronsaint]

Mao didn't allow dissent either.

I don't think Joe ever described himself as a Maoist.

But, interestingly, if what the oul 2nd cuz says is true, he could hardly describe himself as a democrat either.

[toughbutfair]

How does one man get so much publicity. His philosophy is a loser one with little support among washed people.

He is an irrelevant little man.

[No.11]

Nobody takes that piece of fiction seriously.

What Next? Journal Review

And Joe Higgins isn't the leader of the Socialist Party, there's an executive committee democratically elected by the membership every year at conference. It's a collective leadership elected by the membership.

[JollyRedGiant]

Met a distant relative over the weekend. I knew he used to be a member of Joe Higgin's party ( can never remember is it the SP or the SWP )

It's the Socialist Party - and if you were in the least interested in politics you would know that.

and canvassed and did the usual stuff for him about 20 years ago when they were known as the Militants.

20 years ago Joe Higgins was a member of the Labour Party.

When I said I was surprised at this, he laughed and said the party is different to all others, disagree with the leader and you're finished.

As has been pointed out - Joe Higgins is not the leader of the Socialist Party - he is one of 28 members of the national Committee who run the party.

But, come to think of it, I don't remember any disagreements publicly by some members the way you would find from time to time in other parties , particularly at conferences, etc. Can anyone confirm that what the guy said was right ? Surely, they can't all be on message on every single issue ?

Unlike the other political parties in this country - the Socialist Party is not a vehicle for personal political ambition and operates on the basis of democratic accountability (other parties operate on the basis of shafting the oppsoition). Any disagreements are discussed within the party and a democratic decision of the members is taken to decide which direction to follow. Publically all members will support a decision that is arrived at democratically within the party structures. If someone feels they cannot support an aspect of party policy in a public arena then they keep quiet.

[Fab]

20 years ago Joe Higgins was a member of the Labour Party!

[Darren Mac an Phríora]

Nobody takes that piece of fiction seriously.

What Next? Journal Review

And Joe Higgins isn't the leader of the Socialist Party, there's an executive committee democratically elected by the membership every year at conference. It's a collective leadership elected by the membership.

Rejected by (to give them their full title) "What Next? Marxist Discussion Journal". Well if they rejected it...

[toughbutfair]

How does such a nobody get so much publicity?