Over the last few weeks there have been various initiatives from the left to woo a larger anti-Labour Party front to fight the elections. We as anarchists have historically not got involved on in the election machine as we have always seen it as irrelevant and divisive. But there have been developments which mean that, in the current climate, we as anarchists should re-examine our position.

One such development is the break from the Labour Party of the RMT and the proposal that the RMT would support a pro-working class alternative to the Labour Party. If the RMT called for a united Left front, would we not be mad not to get involved? Would it be more palatable for anarchists if a trade union called for a party of class unity rather than another socialist party? Maybe? But the real issue is a working class organisation is asking for real working class support and we should back this call.

Secondly the current economic crisis has made the ground fertile for anarchists to argue that the system can’t be changed, it is corrupt to its core and can’t be overhauled but must be put out of its misery.

Finally, being involved in an election campaign would allow us to get our anarchist ideas out there to a wider audience. This is not the converted types who pass through the anarchist book fairs, but real people who, during an election, are more likely to talk to you about issues than at any other time. Can we let such an opportunity pass by again?

The BNP have done well organising in those white working class areas where there is genuine disillusionment with the political process and politicians. These areas should be fertile ground for anarchists as well. We need to get in there and get our ideas across on the doorstep and mix it up with the BNP.

We need to start a process of debate and revaluation within our anarchist communities to understand where we are, how we can build working class solidarity and move forward for the future in order to bring our anarchist ideas into the present. We need to do this as soon as we can or else, once again, developments will have passed us by. We need to try an reach some agreement for an anarchist federation/umbrella, whatever you want to call it, to stand as a joint anarchist block in any call for a class unity at the election.

Tom Cullen