Their launch meeting was addressed by him, Richard Brenner (Solidarity with the Antifascist Resistance in Ukraine), Lindsey German (Counterfire), Boris Kagarlitsky (Institute for globalisation studies and social movements), Andrew Murray (Communist Party of Britain), Alan Woods (International Marxist Tendency) and Sergei Kirichuk (Borotba). (‘Solidarity with the Antifascist Resistance in Ukraine’ launched in London)

Andrew Murray explained that “fascism is as fascism does” and that the recent attacks by fascist thugs, such as the brutal murder of protesters in Odessa, show that we are talking about real fascism, not just the equivalent of UKIP in Britain. He also warned against prettifying the intervention of the EU as if “over there” it is a good thing whilst “over here” it is not. He also stressed that the Left should be united and put pressure on the British government to cease its support of fascism in Ukraine.

Murray’s stand in this campaign was, amongst other reasons, for this decision.

One of Jeremy Corbyn’s top aides has been barred from entering the Ukraine after he was deemed a national security risk with links to Vladimir Putin’s ‘global propaganda network’.

Andrew Murray, a former Communist party member and longstanding ally of the Labour leader, was given a three-year ban from the country in June, reports the Mail on Sunday.

A Ukrainian intelligence officer told the paper the move was taken because he is “regarded as being part of Putin’s global propaganda network, peddling Russian lies, particularly about Crimea and the war in Eastern Ukraine”.

Murray has backed the Kremlin on a number of issues including the downing of MH17, the annexation of Crimea and has previously expressed solidarity with North Korea.

He appeared on the Kremlin-backed RT in January and in an interview with George Galloway, said: “Russia is a capitalist country, it does not pose the ideological or systemic challenge that the existence of the Soviet Union did.”

Huffington Post 2018.

Murray has not lost his interest in Ukraine (via Jim).

Andrew Murray’s ‘Eyes Left’ feature in today’s Morning Star:

“Solidarity is great – but war isn’t popular

The Ukraine Solidarity Campaign demonstration on April 9 appears to have been a flop Despite the official endorsement of several unions, barely a few hundred people showed up.

That is not surprising. Most people surely sympathise with Ukraine and oppose Russia’s invasion and its accompanying brutalities – but they do not want the war prolonged, preferring to see it ended as soon as possible through negotiations.

They understand that the longer combat continues, more civilians will die and more of Ukraine will be laid waste.

People also know that escalating conflict raises the likelihood of war spreading, by accident of design, into a direct Nato-Russia clash, even if some liberals seem intensely relaxed, to coin a phrase, about such a development.

The policy of the Ukraine Solidarity Campaign, mainly motivated by the pro-imperialist Alliance for Workers Liberty, is to dismiss negotiations, urge still greater arms deliveries to Ukraine, and fantasise about Vladimir Putin being overthrown.

It would be fine if the war could end tomorrow with Russia giving up and withdrawing. But to put it at its mildest, a diplomatic solution is more likely. That is not the same as a Ukraine capitulation.

The outlines of an agreement are in view – but there are powerful Nato forces who do not want a deal. Starmer and the Ukraine Solidarity Campaign support them. At best they are completely aligned with Johnson’s government, at worst they are to the bellicose right of it.

The divide in the labour movement today is between those who urge such a peaceful resolution and want the British government to help work towards it and those willing to see Ukrainian people suffer and risk a wider war, as long as the Russians are being held militarily.

Most trade unionists know which side they are on given such a choice. They can recognise dangerous posturing when it parades down Whitehall shouting “arms, arms arms.”

Hopefully, the unions which have allowed understandable sympathy with the Ukrainian people’s ordeal misdirect them into an alliance with the pro-Nato crowd will reflect on the feeble turnout. “

Reject the war propaganda and receive a daily dose of peace & socialism in your inbox. Sign up to the free Morning Star daily newsletter here: https://t.co/hYwwZ2YgmS pic.twitter.com/hAXMveW95n

— Morning Star (@M_Star_Online) April 20, 2022

Now there are many reasons for the small turn out on April the 9^th. One of which it the Solidarity with Ukraine has no national mobilising network, sending coaches and transport to London that Murray’s friends in the People’s Assembly and the Stop the War Coalition used to have. The Stop the War Coalition’s own demo, held jointly with CND, on the 6^th of March attracted 3,000 even with Corbyn speaking, though it is to be doubted if the prospect of hearing Murry’s new mate and comrade Tariq Ali helped build the attendance.

The position of the Ukraine Solidarity Campaign is basically to offer, as the name indicates, solidarity,

THE UKRAINE SOLIDARITY CAMPAIGN SEEKS TO ORGANISE SOLIDARITY AND PROVIDE INFORMATION IN SUPPORT OF UKRAINIAN SOCIALISTS AND TRADE UNIONISTS, CAMPAIGNING FOR WORKING CLASS, AND DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS, AGAINST IMPERIALIST INTERVENTION AND NATIONAL CHAUVINISM. IT SEEKS TO CO-ORDINATE SOCIALIST AND LABOUR MOVEMENT ORGANISATIONS WHO AGREE ON THIS TASK, REGARDLESS OF DIFFERENCES AND OPINIONS ON OTHER QUESTIONS. BASIC AIMS ARE:

• TO SUPPORT AND BUILD DIRECT LINKS WITH THE INDEPENDENT SOCIALISTS AND THE LABOUR MOVEMENT IN UKRAINE.
• TO SUPPORT THE RIGHT OF THE UKRAINIAN PEOPLE TO DETERMINE THEIR OWN FUTURE FREE FROM EXTERNAL INTERVENTION FROM RUSSIAN OR WESTERN IMPERIALISM.

Compare and contrast with Murray’s claims.

He is basically saying to Ukraine, “give up”

Tendance Coatesy

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