What's Wrong With The Euston Manifesto?

A. Preamble

egalitarian liberals and others of unambiguous democratic commitment.

And I think we all know who that means...

Indeed, the reconfiguration of progressive opinion that we aim for involves drawing a line between the forces of the Left that remain true to its authentic values, and currents that have lately shown themselves rather too flexible about these values. It involves making common cause with genuine democrats, whether socialist or not.

"Not", indeed!

The present initiative has its roots in and has found a constituency through the Internet, especially the "blogosphere". It is our perception, however, that this constituency is under-represented elsewhere — in much of the media and the other forums of contemporary political life.

Yer what?!?

B. Statement of principles

"1) We are committed to ... the separation of legislative, executive and judicial powers, and the separation of state and religion."

If either of these separations had ever applied in Britain, then none of the achievements of the Labour Movement would ever have been possible, indeed neither it nor either of Britain's other two principal political traditions could ever have arisen in the first place.

2) No apology for tyranny. ... We draw a firm line between ourselves and those left-liberal voices today quick to offer an apologetic explanation for such political forces.

Like whom, exactly? This is just code for opponents of the Iraq War.

4) We look towards progress in relations between the sexes (until full gender equality is achieved)

What does this actually mean? It sounds like the old 1970s "interchangeability of men and women" argument that feminism itself has largely given up.

and between people of diverse sexual orientations

How "diverse", exactly? And what would such "equality" entail in practical policy terms?

we support the interests of working people everywhere and their right to organize in defence of those interests. Democratic trade unions are the bedrock organizations for the defence of workers' interests and are one of the most important forces for human rights, democracy-promotion and egalitarian internationalism. Labour rights are human rights. The universal adoption of the International Labour Organization Conventions — now routinely ignored by governments across the globe — is a priority for us. We are committed to the defence of the rights of children, and to protecting people from sexual slavery and all forms of institutionalized abuse.

Whereas this is all excellent, of course. But what about when it clashes with feminism or homosexualism? Which side are you on?

5) The current expansion of global markets and free trade must not be allowed to serve the narrow interests of a small corporate elite in the developed world and their associates in developing countries.

It has never had any other purpose, nor can it have.

The benefits of large-scale development through the expansion of global trade ought to be distributed as widely as possible in order to serve the social and economic interests of workers, farmers and consumers in all countries.

What "benefits"? What is proposed here is impossible and self-contradictory. Such is the regression of Socialism to Whiggery and Jacobinism, its archenemies far more than Toryism or any other paleoconservative tradition.

Globalization must mean global social integration and a commitment to social justice.

But it can't. It simply can't.

We support radical reform of the major institutions of global economic governance (World Trade Organization, International Monetary Fund, World Bank) to achieve these goals, and we support fair trade, more aid, debt cancellation and the campaign to Make Poverty History.

Thus contradicting everything that you have already said under this heading.

8) Some exploit the legitimate grievances of the Palestinian people under occupation by Israel, and conceal prejudice against the Jewish people behind the formula of "anti-Zionism". We oppose this type of racism too, as should go without saying.

Then why say it? Seriously, why, exactly?

9) Terrorism inspired by Islamist ideology is widespread today. It threatens democratic values and the lives and freedoms of people in many countries. This does not justify prejudice against Muslims, who are its main victims, and amongst whom are to be found some of its most courageous opponents. But, like all terrorism, it is a menace that has to be fought, and not excused.

Islam itself is the problem. Why won't you admit that? Is it just because you don't like the obvious Western answer to Islam?

10) A new internationalism.We stand for an internationalist politics and the reform of international law — in the interests of global democratization and global development.

What does this latter mean? Based on the foregoing, it seems to mean "global capital". As for "global democratization", liberal democracy can only arise out of, and be sustained successfully by, the Biblical-Classical synthesis that is Christianity. Japan will discover that eventually. So will India, which is arguably in the throes of discovering it anyway. Later (having started later), so will Iran. And so forth. So why won't you admit it?

11) Drawing the lesson of the disastrous history of left apologetics over the crimes of Stalinism and Maoism

Your Marxist roots stand duly exposed. Those of us in the Labour tradition (not now, nor ever, the same thing as simple membership of the Labour Party) have no such history, but the very reverse. The fact that you feel any need to mention this as if it were anything to do with you speaks volumes.

We reject, similarly, the idea that there can be no opening to ideas and individuals to our right. Leftists who make common cause with, or excuses for, anti-democratic forces should be criticized in clear and forthright terms. Conversely, we pay attention to liberal and conservative voices and ideas if they contribute to strengthening democratic norms and practices and to the battle for human progress.

Whereas now you sound like Good Old Labour. Make up your minds!

12) One of the tragedies of the Left is that its own reputation was massively compromised in this regard by the international Communist movement, and some have still not learned that lesson.

Whereas some of us don't have to. Clearly, you feel that you do...

15) We stand against all claims to a total — unquestionable or unquestioning — truth.

You could have fooled me!