As
so you do not hear it from a third party, I would
like to inform you as a matter of record that from
yesterday 27/10/04 I have resigned from the Belfast
SWP. I do so with a fraternal parting. The decision
was a decision that I came to myself and many knew
it was coming.
My
problem is not with comrades or indeed even with
many of the issues that the SWP stand for, therefore
I will still be an active supporter of them in Belfast,
more so than any other Socialist organisation. In
fact there will be little visual difference, but
I will no longer be a member.
My
problems stem from the issue of Democratic Centralism,
and what I feel is a situation that has intensified
to become a straight-jacket to my creativity and
thought. In a sense, I had become suffocated. This
has become more acute as I begin in my own head
and through one's own life experiences to develop
an understanding of the world that would not fit
into such an unbending historical tradition.
I
firmly believe that as the world changes, such organisations
that hold such traditions need to also change to
adapt to that changing world. This not only in the
political sense, which many do, but also in the
organisational sense. While many can find they can
work in such circumstances, I have after much thought
and reasoning have decided that I cannot. Therefore,
from now on in, I am to be an Independent.
While
in the Belfast SWP I have gained much experience;
not only in the organisational side through being
both a founding member of the Anti-War and Anti-Racism
Movements in the North in recent times, but I have
also been able to develop my own political understanding
both internationally with going on protests from
Genoa to Geneva, through engagement with organisations,
political, community and trade unions, from across
the local political spectrum and none.
With
that I have come to my own understanding. While
saying this, it is, as I state, a very fraternal
parting and I will still be an activist within and
around the Belfast SWP, with keeping that friendship.
On many occasions I have found that such partings
of ways are less than friendly, for me, though I
did not want to see that, and we will not only work
together but our friendships will remain.
So
in conclusion, from now on in I am no longer a member
of the Belfast SWP but an Independent Socialist,
and a committed activist for change.
