Ian Bone's Class War - Inspiration for a Crach War?

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Class War, a Libertarian aka ''Autonomist Anarchist'' Collective of radical Revolutionaries, made a big impression in England for much of the last decades of the 20th Century. Many might not know that it's founder Ian Bone very much ''cut his revolutionary teeth'' in Swansea during the 60's into the 7o's. I had the privellege to meet Ian during the early 70's when I returned from exile in Ireland, it was whilst living and working in Dublin that I started to get a proper political education by being introduced to the writtings of James Connolly. Dublin during the early seventies was quite a radical Capital City with numerous ''left wing'' organisations and groups involved in various forms of Socialist Struggle and other expressions of radicalism. Plus of course it was at this time I witnessed the ''Republican Split'' between the ''Provos'' and the ''Officials''. I shall write up more fully on this at another time, suffice to say that it was in Ireland I first seen the film; The Battle of Algiers' which definatly opened my eyes and got me thinking leftward.

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Enough about me, back to Ian Bone and Class War, on my return from Ireland my brother and I (he had always been more politically to the left than I, due to his deep interest in hostory of the Spanish Civil War and of the IWW) started up a 'Welsh Socialist Vanguard', this brought us into contact with Idwal Dyer a long time Socialist member of Plaid Cymru. Idwal was keen on establishing an Independant Welsh Labour Party, producing a number of pamphlets to advance this political ideal but it was the brothers Mike and Cris Haines who had the idea of establishing CYMRU GOCH (I) that more successfuly advanced an active ''Welsh Socialist'' ideal. It was this that brought Ian Bone into the frame, as he had began to be active in Swansea with Cymru Goch, it was Ian who advanced the more ''Libertarian Left'' ideals with this Cymru Goch and moved us along to be activelly involved in squatter campaigns and campaigns in supporters of Workers on strike etc. I am familier with all this but you might not be, so yes, do get and read Ian's book: BASH THE RICH.

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It is an excellent read, a kind of Libertarian Anarchists 'To Dream of Freedom', but of course Ian's dream of freedom was not so much about any National Freedom or Patriotic Struggle but more for Peoples Freedom and Popular Struggle. Thus whilst Ian crossed over into area of Patriotic Struggle, envolving himself in ''Nationalist issues'', first and foremost he did so as means towards advancing Peoples Freedom and Popular Struggle. Nevertheless Ian Bone made excellent contribution to both causes in Wales, not least with his production and distribution of Penderyn, a radical Journal for Wales. Ian's book is not too kind to Welsh Nationalists and the Nationalism he was often involved with but I understand to some degree where he is coming from, as often as not. However, I would not have considered all my Patriotic Comrades as ''Gethin's Nutters'' but relax, knowing Ian's sense of humour that may not be as derogatory as it sounds. I at least get some kind words thrown in my direction and the feeling is mutual, Ian Bone, is a ''One Off'', absolutly committed plus a real good guy and I am sure Ian would be one you could trust to be by your side at the Barricades, not running off in other directions when ''Push Comes To Shove''.

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Other than that Ian, is one of the nice guys to know, not least because he as a sense of humour, I was roaring over the pages dealing with the comrades who sought to advance the none to ''democratic'' idea of ENFORCED BI-SEXUALITY! That brought tears to my eyes, yee god! they were serious? I think it was better to be more a ''Marxist - Lenninist'' that go down this path of total Libertarianism. However, lets not dwell on ''Ian's Nutters'' but move on to say, that whilst much Ian writes about concerning some wild dealings with some Welsh Nationalists as the Invasion of Hereford by a Lost Lands Liberation League is somewhat bizzare other experiences are more telling. A most intersting area he writes about which I seem to have missed out on his concerning the Welsh Socialist Republican Movement, WAWR (Workers Army of the Welsh Republic) and subsequent conspiracy trial. Much here is news to me, possibly because by the late 70's I was getting disillusioned with politics of any kind and had thrown myself totally into Cofiwn. So these chapters are interesting and illuminating but the best bits are when Ian moves to London, establishes Class War and gets down to bashing the Rich, altogether Ian and Class War could teach ''Alternative Nationalists'' and those who seek to be radical ''Welsh Republicans'' a thing or two!
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The part I find most interesting however, is Ian's early years as an ''Libertarian Anarchist'' in Swansea, whilst at College and later whilst working in Swansea. Obviously geting a degree was not going to lead Ian into ''Selling Out'' his beliefs or desire and destiny to continue the struggle, these 60's Swansea chapters are to be like some kind of ''Parallel Universe'', of an urban Wales I knew nothing off with it's Radical Socialism and Left Wing Activism. At this time Plaid Cymru had made me very anti - labour with it's campaigns against Labour Party Corruptions in local goverment, also in this 60's period I had become more interested in ''right wing'' Nationalist Struggles, I was reading books about the Jewish Struggle in Israel/Palestine, about General Grivas in Cyprus. Before that even, my first political awkenings were over the Hungarian Revolt against the Communists, for some reason Suez had not caught my very young imagination so much. When ever, I did come up to be aware of ''Welsh Socialism'' in the 60's it's supporers, old and young seemed more interested in CND 'Ban the Bomb' and marching to stop the war in Vietnam than anything to do with Wales (same today for many). I had little time for all that and for much of the 60's with my growing ''Knee Jerk Super Patriotism'' being sufficient not to consider any ''Political Education'. I guess I had my own nationalist Tunnel Vision or if you want, my patriots head was well up my ass where neither sun no sense shines maybe?

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So, much that Ian writes about of the 60's really does appear to be a Welsh ''Parallel Universe''. So, all in all I really do find these chapters very interesting and illuminating, leading me to wishing that Ian had crossed over a lot sooner into our Patriotic ''Parallel Universe''. In our Cymru the majority of activism and extra-parlimentary struggle revolved around the struggle for the rights of the Welsh Language, I myself was not so ''taken away'' with all this as many non - student patriots I knew were and whilst they got keen on tearing down road signs, I was more keen to lob smoke bombs at English Princes visiting ''their principality''. Anyway, horses for course but these years later, see at very end.

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I have included this post on Ian Bone and Class War here, but it might as well just have been included in my ALTERNATIVE WELSH NATIONALIST MOVEMENT & STRUGGLE ARCHIVE Blog at http://awnms.blogspot.com/ However, generally that is more an Archive Blog recording the past that does not have much of a future, in so far as offering much to present day struggle, or maybe it does? But Bone! Ian and Class War does perhaps have more to say to us? not that I am advocating a 'Libertarian Anarchist' march on the ''Pontcanna Patagonia'' or go and have a ''Llandaf Laff'' with the media muckers up there, as Ian Bone and Class War did in their infamous 'Bash the Rich' March on Kensington. To anyone who as attempted organising anything at all in the nature that might be a bit ''Bolshie'' or even Patriotically Radical, then see pp 202 - 4, this is a classic good little revolutionary read before it gets really tough at Henly pp 230 but disasterous at Hampstead pp 264 - 266. I can only wonder what it might have been like at Caernarfon on 1 July 1969, if only Ian Bone had been aboard the Anti - Investiture Campaign? Food for thought! There is much talk today of the ''Green and the Red'' amongst the ''Guardianesque Left Republicans'' down in Bae Caerdydd but it's all rather tame compared to Ian Bones attempt to give Welsh Nationalism/Republicanism a real radical, full on revolutionary attitude. However, Cymru Goch I & II as well as the WSRM made a good go of it themselves, but now the ''Green & Red'' in hands of PRO PLAID PUNDITS sounds more about the time table of a Bus Company than some get up and go for it real radicalism of Ian Bone. Come Back Ian, all is forgiven!

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On the subject of Radicalism and Revolution, keep in mind that 2008 marks the 160th Anniversary of 1848, a year of Revolution in a number of European Cities. In Wales it is an anniversary year that marks conclusion of the Rebecca Rebellion also of course it marks anniversary of the BLUE BOOKS. 2008 also marks the 40th anniversary of ''Student Revolts'' of 1968 and in Wales, a very revolutionary year for radical Patriots and Militant Nationalism. If not socialist in aims, then certainly with a rather ''Lumpen Proletariat'' base of support. I suspect much in the nature of some of those who rose up in the Workers Insurrection of 1831. This leads me to inform you that despite the failiure of the ''1831 Merthyr Commune", in 1848 an anonymous ''Son of Liberty'' called for another Insurrection to take pllace in Merthyr. Unfortunatly, it fizzled out before it even got started properly. no doubt the dire consequences of 1831 were still raw on the memory of the people, so in 1848 only a few dozen ''Revolutionaries'' gathered outside the Castle Inn and when it started to rain they all headed off home or to the pubs? However, still perhaps worth commemorating as is done annually regards Red Week 1831, this year perhaps a conference on 1848 would be a good addition to the annual commemoration, what do you think?
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Following on mention of 'Yr Hen Iaith' matters above, might it not be a good idea also at such a Merthyr Red Week 1831 Commemoration, consider the 1848 Blue Books in following terms. Whilst no one disputes that the ''Language Struggle'' was needed the question begs to be asked, ultimatly has it been a success regards it's ultimate objective a truelly bi-lingual Wales. Somehow, I think not! Indeed the question seriously needs to be asked, the bullshit aside of Crachach pulling wool over our eyes to justify their existance, has not the native language declined and will go on declining unless perhaps it's time to pull the plug on the ''Welsh Language Industry'', as all that seems to have done really is just create Y Crachach Newydd - Englands Client Tribe in Cymru. I am too busy to disbute, discuss and debate this but I suggest those who do really have 'Yr Iaith' first and foremost on their mind as their ''Uno Numero'' Cultural Nationalist objective still, do themselves consider doing so. In my humble oppinion there is an urgent need for a most major Moritorium on this issue, time to Stop! and Think! as to some serious strategy to save 'Yr Iaith', not least in it's 'Pura Walliae' Cymric Heartlends, take a lesson from our history. What I am saying is this, if the Princes had not consolidated their rule in that Pura Walliae, then I doubt if the struggle for Welsh Independence would have been able to continue for us long as it did. I draw your attention to fact that the Cymric Victory at Grug Mawr 1136 not only bought time for the Princes of Gwynedd and Deheubarth but also bought time for the native language to consolidate itself, in native poetry and law both crucial to sustaining 'Yr Hen Iaith'. May it not be good idea if not better stategy to focus on a very real radical struggle to sustain 'Yr Hen Iaith' first and foremost in Pura Walliae, for if 'Yr Hen Iaith' is lost here what hope elsewhere. What is the alternative, more of the same? I do not think that is really working option, do you, seriously? Think about it, I feel that CYMUNED is the real alternative way forward but is not the solution one that lays in a struggle that is more socialist strategy than that of what suits the Petite Bourgeouise of our ''Crachach Newydd?'' largelly living in Caerdydd in Pontcanna, Llandaf or Bae Caerdydd.
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Gethin.
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No, not of Strictly Come Dancing fame but my grandfather did come from Abercaniad, and worked as a young miner in the Gethin Pit there. I believe that ''Other Gethin'' is from Abercaniad? Yes! I admit, I watch ''Stritctly'', is that too bloody Bourgeoise? HHHhhhmmm!!!