Letter to the Herald - In defence of SSPWhatever happened to the smiling, happy-clappy New Labourites of a few years ago? Now they talk and write in Sun editorials.
In reply to my letter pointing out New Labour's double standards on the firefighters' dispute, Peter Russell describes the SSP as "barmy", "odious", and "contemptuous of democracy" (December 4). At least we're not "fascist bastards". Well, not quite. Apparently, Tommy Sheridan and I - and our "dupes" - are "adherents of Trotsky who described social democracy as social fascism".
Personally, I'm not an adherent of any individual. The SSP is a new party that unites socialists from a range of different left-wing traditions. We prefer to look to the future, rather than dwell on the past. But if Peter Russell insists on dwelling on the past, he should at least take the time to read a few history books before parading his ignorance.
He asserts that Trotsky described social democracy as "social fascist". Wrong. This phrase was coined by Stalin when refusing to form a bloc with the German Social Democrats against Hitler. Trotsky opposed Stalin's "social fascist" theory and argued for a united front against fascism.
Such a slovenly approach to history seems to be one of the hallmarks of New Labour, exemplified by Richard Simpson's claim that the Fire Brigades Union would have supported Mussolini. The FBU would not have existed under Mussolini, who banned trade unions and jailed their leaders.
Which is exactly what some New Labour politicians would like to do, judging by their recent outbursts.
Alan McCombes, 73 Robertson Street, Glasgow
