SLN-DSN Merger and Financial Issues
The meeting focused on discussing a motion regarding collaboration with the Democratic Socialist Network (DSN) and addressing financial issues within the Socialist Labour Network (SLN). EG explained that the SLN has been discussing its future following the absorption of some members into other parties and proposed a merger with the DSN based on previous agreements and member support. She also mentioned that an independent mediator has been approached to assist with the financial situation, as a significant amount of funds was withdrawn from the SLN’s account without member approval. The conversation ended with I preparing to present the motion, allowing time for members to review the text beforehand.
SLN-DSN Merger Motion Discussion
The meeting focused on discussing a motion to merge with the Democratic Socialist Network (DSN). ID presented the motion (reproduced below this report), highlighting the similarities between the SLN and DSN in terms of objectives and political diversity. He emphasized the need to shift tactics from acting as a think tank to actively building and organizing the new party. The group agreed in principle to merge with the DSN, which plans to organize a fringe meeting at the party conference on November 29th. ML asked about the democratic socialist network’s position on Ukraine and other issues, prompting ID to explain that the network currently has no official stance on these topics. ID noted that several in the DSN had an attitude of avoiding splits on divisive issues and noted that the Democratic Socialist Network is operating in a different context than before, aiming to facilitate democratic functioning within the party. The party itself being the right place for such policy issues to be fought out.
Political Dynamics and Party Affiliations
The group discussed political dynamics and party affiliations. Jackson highlighted the importance of disagreement in politics and noted Adnan Hussein’s resignation from a party that technically doesn’t exist yet, raising questions about entryism and factional competition.
The group also discussed political challenges, particularly focusing on independent MPs elected alongside Jeremy Corbyn who are not working-class socialists but single-issue campaigners. They addressed Adnan Hussain’s recent resignation from the party, with Jackson suggesting that movements on the left should carefully vet potential candidates to avoid future splits.
Political Party Reluctance Discussion
PC expressed reluctance to join YP due to concerns about entryism and the party’s stance on issues like the dustmen’s strike and landlord defence. He noted that some party members had briefed against MOU operations, now headed by Zarah Sultana. ML suggested that before associating with any organisation, it’s important to verify their stance on the landlord class and support for working-class issues, as divisions may arise later.
Democratic Socialist Network Discussion
K raised questions about the DSN’s structure and membership, leading to a discussion about various left-wing political organizations and their histories. ID and EG provided information about the DSN’s origins and its relationship to other groups like NOIS and Talking About Socialism. J responded to ML’s comments about the landlord class, arguing that not all landlords fit the stereotype of profit-driven property owners. The discussion concluded with Ian summarising the group’s goals of pushing Your Party towards becoming a mass workers’ party, emphasising their commitment to socialist politics.
SLN-DSN Merger and Financial Concerns
The motion to merge with the DSN was passed unanimously, with members discussing how to handle the SLN’s financial resources, including a Zoom account and website hosting. There were concerns about a former member who had unilaterally transferred funds out of the bank account. It was explained that the steering committee is working to mediate a resolution. The group also discussed alternative platforms like Teams for meetings and addressed issues with website hosting costs and privacy concerns related to data collection by Google services.
Motion on Democratic and Socialist Network
This SLN AMM notes that the aim of our project, as we said in our resolution of September 2024, is driven by the need:
“… for a movement and a party that acquires its cohesion through freedom of debate and programmatic discussion. Within the parameters and limits laid out above, the watchword of any new party should be ‘freedom of criticism, unity in action’.”
We further noted then that:
“We in the SLN cannot declare ourselves to be such a party. But we can advocate unification of the various forces that have been driven out of the Labour Party by its authoritarian and neoliberal decline, together with other socialists, to come together as a network, on the same basis as ourselves, to deepen collaboration and lay the basis for such a Party. We need a convention of the Left to be convened on a broad basis to begin this task.”
The creation of Your Party has begun to fulfil these objectives, and obviously we welcome that. But the rise of Your Party has also meant the creation of other groupings of socialists, some organised, some networks of independents, who support these objectives. In this vein, the SLN has involved itself in these endeavours by sponsoring the Democratic and Socialist Network, itself the product of a unification of other networks of socialists, to fight to make YP into a genuinely socialist party with the kind of democratic internal life that allows real political development. As is well known, there have been problems with Your Party around aspects of democratic functioning that need to be addressed.
The SLN is now too small to play an independent role in this. We can best contribute to this, and carry out the spirit of our earlier resolution, by joining the DSN in a full merger, also helping to transform that body into a membership organisation that can play a bigger role in the struggles to come. We bring not only the experience and activism of our members, but also the website and financial resources of the SLN. This AMM therefore instructs the SC to work with the DSN and its Steering Group to merge the two organisations.
