WHO'S WHO ON THE UK LEFT:
The following is a brief (sometimes very brief) overview of some of the main groups on the left. The descriptions are the opinions of this Site's authors and are open to debate. Feel free to get in touch if you disagree or want to make alternative suggestions redsignpost@fsmail.netSocialist Workers'Party (SWP)
Claims to be the largest group on the left.
20,000 members? Actually has 1200 active. It is possible to join several times during the course of one demo! Fronts 'the stop the war coalition' and the 'RESPECT Coalition'
Produces monthly 'Socialist Review'
Socialist Party (SP)
Formerly known as Militant. Infamous for it's work within the Labour Party during the 80's. Disappeared to the rump it is now after purges by then Labour Leader- Neil Kinnock. Is recovering in size and does have some local councillors.Left the Socialist Alliance due to a tiff with SWP. Probably has about 300 active members.
Alliance for Workers' Liberty (AWL)
Formerly known as Socialist Organiser. Active in the Socialist Alliance and student movement. Obsessed with Palestine, thus leading other left groups to label it 'Zionist'.
Close links with'No Sweat'-anti-sweatshop campaign. Has about 100 members.
Communist Party of Great Britain (CPGB)
Very well organised and resourced group.Rumour has it that is funded indirectly by Sketchley (dry cleaning company)Was active in the Socialist Alliance.Trying to be active in RESPECT. Produces the best weekly paper for an overview of the left. Membership levels negligible.
Red Action
Muscular radical left group which is known for it's uncompromising attitude when confronting the Far right (ie it attacks known BNP/C18/NF supporters) Fronts IWCA (Independent Working Class Association) has several local councillors.
International Socialist Group
Produces a monthly paper: socialist resistance.Members of what used to be socialist outlook are involved. Membership around 50 or so active.
Communist Party of Britain (CPB)
Perceived as old-style Stalinists by the rest of the left (See 'Morning Star'). Only national daily paper of the left
The Red Party
The latest split within one of the sects (CPGB) led to the formation of another even small sect. Believe it or not they split due to disagreements about level of engagement with the RESPECT coalition. Nothing like having principles is there?
That's as much as we're contributing, the rest is down to you. If you'd like to write a short piece about one of the other left groups oor you want to adapt one of the above descriptions please get in touch.
