Comments on: FILM OF DICK COLE: MEBYON KERNOW LEADER

By: Philip Hosking

Philip Hosking — Fri, 16 May 2008 17:01:28 +0000

“I can’t accept the ‘classlessness’ take on things”

Indeed. Society can and should be analysed vertically through the lense of class but also we can take a horizontal approach and consider peoples and territories.

By: Owlman

Owlman — Mon, 12 May 2008 20:38:17 +0000

I can’t accept the ‘classlessness’ take on things- I think that right now MK cater for the people of Cornwall on another level, alongside that of nationalism- and that’s a level populated by worries about housing in the face of money being thrown willy-nilly at luxury apartments and such. Falmouth, amongst others, is being gentrified to a disproportionate extent when looked at next to the relative prosperity of local people, and its a dangerous situation that naturally breeds a growing resentment of ‘incomers’ but can also instill a positive nationalist bent to mainstream concerns.

I’d say that ‘the movement’ is, and should aim to be, connected very much with the class divide.

By: Philip Hosking

Philip Hosking — Mon, 12 May 2008 19:55:45 +0000

What exactly is wrong with adapting socialism and socialist analysis to the cultural, historic and environmental conditions of a specific territory and people? Proudhon didn’t seem to think it such a bad idea and even Marx supported the Irish.

By: Philip Hosking

Philip Hosking — Mon, 12 May 2008 18:09:31 +0000

MK are very much a left wing, green and decentralist party. They are also a member of the European Free Alliance. They are however not state-nationalists like New Labour or the Tories.

By: Doug

Doug — Thu, 08 May 2008 14:30:00 +0000

I’m sorry, what on earth’s ‘a wee bit of humility’ got to do with it? I’m well aware how marginal the Left is thank you very much. That doesn’t mean we have to scrat around for allies regardless of their social basis, political views or practice and then justify this with some vague and woolly references to ‘radical’ or ‘progressive’ politics. Also, it has nothing to do with sharing our analysis. The potential for local groups like Peoples Voice - working class self-activity which may move in a leftwards direction, is a different ballgame entirely to groups like MK (according to you ‘a significant voice on the Left’, which is an incredible claim). And since when was discussion about nationality and a post-union Britain an ‘ongoing vital debate’? It might be on Planet Newman and amongst the Lefty navel-gazers but it isn’t out there.

By: Nick

Nick — Thu, 08 May 2008 13:44:31 +0000

I think we all as socialists need to look at things with a wee bit of humility and realise what a marginal political and social force we are rather than instantly dismiss any potential allies with pronouncements from on high simply because they don’t share our analysis. I don’t think anyone here is offering an uncritical endorsement of MK’s politics, having said this they should be recognised as a significant force on the left who have a lot to contribute to the ongoing vital debate about nationality in the british isles and what a post-union ‘britain’ will look like.

By: Doug

Doug — Thu, 08 May 2008 09:26:41 +0000

Plaid or the Greens? Do me a favour, mate, I’m a socialist.

By: Harry

Harry — Wed, 07 May 2008 19:25:43 +0000

so not plaid cymru or greens then

By: Doug

Doug — Wed, 07 May 2008 15:45:51 +0000

The only possible basis for socialists supporting or working with Cornish nationalists could be clear evidence, past and present of oppression/exploitation by an external power of working class and sections of other classes within the boundaries of the county called Cornwall. To anyone with a cursory knowledge of Cornwall, this is not certainly not the case. As with many nationalisms, there is janus-faced ideological baggage i.e. some ‘leftist’ posturing is the order of the day to win over workers to the cause. Likewise, the other face has a distinctly unpleasant anti-outsider undercurrent mixed in with sub-racist Celtic bollocks. More importantly, the fundamental’classlessness’ of Cornish nationalism makes it a mortal enemy of genuine socialists within and beyond Cornwall - not a potential ally.

By: Nick

Nick — Wed, 07 May 2008 12:45:31 +0000

‘As dust before the breeze’? sweet jesus