The ILP has maintained a singular vision throughout Labour’s history, argues CHRIS WILSON. Born more than 130 years ago, its political ethos is needed now as much as ever.
The ILP (now Independent Labour Publications) holds a unique position in Labour’s ecosystem.
It is unique, not only because of its history, with origins in the Independent Labour Party, nor because of the galaxy of left-wing figures associated with it, from past to present. We need only consider Keir Hardie, or George Orwell, or Fenner Brockway. Those associations alone ought to command greater attention for the ILP from the wider movement.
It is unique, too, because it seeks to articulate a political position that unites three distinct strands of thought: ethical, democratic and socialist. Many left groups express any one or two of these, but only the ILP has tried for so long and so hard to demonstrate the value and inter-relationship of all three, and to convey how each is vital to the success of the Labour Party.
Perhaps we should begin with the ethical. The ILP believes that how political movements conduct ourselves really matters. You cannot manipulate your way to socialism, nor shout your way to it.
The early pioneers, right back to William Morris, understood that to get to socialism you needed first to ‘make socialists’. In other words, you need to do the patient hard work of winning hearts and minds, and, as importantly, to demonstrate in your own values the world you seek to build.
It means that comradeship and courtesy really matter. If our movement doesn’t aspire to make sisters and brothers united in respect and common endeavour, why would anyone join us? Ends never justify means; ends and means were and are always related.
Then there is that word democracy. The ILP is an organisation of democratic socialists. This means, not only that we believe in contesting for power through legal and democratic means, but that this objective needs to be reflected within the Labour Party itself.
The party needs to be democratic from top to bottom, to be a place where all shades of opinion are valued and respected, and where there is a willingness to learn and collaborate. The temporary triumph of one wing of the party over another does little, in the end, to help either, let alone to win elections. A culture of membership collaboration and participation is still urgently needed.
Democratic principles
Finally, socialism: the ILP is socialist because we are democrats. It is because our economy can still be manipulated by the wealthy and powerful, that ‘fire and rehire’ still exists, that exploitation by the few against the many still exists, that new tech barons have emerged to replace the industrial barons of old, that socialism is still needed.
Our socialism represents the extension of democratic principles to the world of work and beyond. This does not mean state ownership is necessarily the answer, nor that nationalisation equals socialism. National ownership might make no difference at all if questions of control, as well as ownership, are not addressed.
That is why the ILP is interested in the co-operative movement. It may not be perfect, but what chance do we have of establishing industrial democracy if we don’t begin with consumer and worker control through co-ops?
Ethical; democratic; socialist – such is the unique vision of the ILP. Maybe you agree with us. If so, let us know, write for us, share your experiences, find out about our perspectives.
After all, there is still a world to win, injustice to be challenged and ordinary, decent, working people still need to be empowered.
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Reverend Chris Wilson is an active trade unionist, a Christian socialist, and a member of the ILP.
To read more about the ILP’s political perspective, click here.
To read more about the ILP’s history, click here.
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