The decision of Compass to open its ranks to persons not eligible for Labour membership is indeed bizarre (Letters, 12 March). While it is not an affiliated organisation and it has the right to urge members to vote for who it wants to in elections, it has always argued that the priority was electing a Labour government, and only Labour could stop the Tories winning. This argument was the basis of its successful politics to now. Abandoning this view suggests it thinks that Labour cannot win the next election ? and that a rainbow alliance of non-Tory parties is possible. Neither is the case.
It is particularly unfortunate that having backed Ed Miliband to be Labour leader, it now effectively withdraws support from him. There is no alternative to the Labour leader as the alternative prime minister, and it is not serious politics not to campaign for him to win the next election. Compass focused on Labour when there was a Labour government. Now there is no Labour government, it believes it can base its politics around vacuous discussion of a windy progressive politics. There maybe a large and expanding audience for hot air. But it is not serious politics, which must be focused on securing the return of a Labour government.
Trevor Fisher
Compass executive member 2007-08
? I joined Compass precisely because it is not a Labour party organisation ? membership of the Labour party is seen as nice to have, but not essential for membership of Compass. This is the attraction: a democratic leftwing organisation not bound by adherence to party political dogma. Those Labour members who feel unable to accept this should return to their bunker and prepare for many more years in the political wilderness.
Philip Collerton
Newcastle upon Tyne
? It was with great disappointment that I read in your letter of the defection of Ben Folley and others from Compass. I am struck that at a time of increasingly severe and, in many cases, unnecessary cuts to public services we, on the progressive left, should be avoiding at all costs further splits to our movement. I only wish the co-signatories of the letter had given Compass's new rules a chance.
Matthew Butcher
Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2011/mar/14/compass-points-in-different-directions
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