Interview with Cliff - a video

Posted item #1 Video interview with Tony Cliff

Let's get started with an interview with Cliff from 1996, a few years before his death. At the time he was in his late 70s and still a member of the SWP's Central Committee (he remained so right up until he died in April 2000). Cliff outlines here some of the key prinicples in revolutionary socialism and building a revolutionary party, with some well-chosen examples.

About 10 minutes in he recalls taking the initiative with founding the Anti Nazi League in 1977 - essentially a decision taken by the SWP's leadership, but seeking much wider support and broad unity. The need for dynamism and initiative - for seizing the time and daring to act - is one of the core principles of the Leninist tradition which Cliff was so brilliant at applying in practice.

Examples since Cliff's time include the founding of Stop the War in September 2001, after the terrorist attacks in the US, and the launch of Respect a couple of years later. Revolutionaries have to keep ahead and give a lead, not just tail-end others or wait for something to turn up in the struggle. When things change dramatically - the start of a new phase in imperialism, a major new economic crisis, etc - revolutionaries have to take the initiative in instigating broader coalitions and pursuing political interventions.