Just a spoonful of Sugar

posted by: Nick | on: Monday, 21 January 2008, 08:14

A left wing organisation recently produced a critique of the anti-fascist movement from their own political perspective. Unsurprisingly it was critical of the current movement, especially the UAF. While it acknowledged that the emphasis on local campaigning by Searchlight was far more effective it criticised our use of celebrities.

Obviously I’m not going to reply on this blog to their wider political analysis, though I might find another venue for that if I can find a spare hour, but I would just like to make one observation. The Alliance for Workers’ Liberty document was most outspoken about our use of businessman Alan Sugar. Interestingly enough, his picture on our Hope not hate leaflet caused the most interest from ordinary people and many became inquisitive enough to look inside the leaflet.

Given that his popular TV show was on at the same time Searchlight makes no apologies for using him or other celebrities if it attracts interest from people who might not otherwise read our material. This does not negate from a need to address the causes of support from the BNP, indeed, the AWL document praises our Keighley campaign, but if a spoonful of sugar is needed to sweeten our message then so be it.