Reformism and liberalism manifest themselves in all sorts of ways. They are so endemic that they have become part of the human psyche. They are a central part of protests and campaigning, no matter what the cause. They have become the hallmark of perceived victories and achievements in campaigning. To maintain that level of “achievements,” no explanation of the cause that underlies the need to campaign or protest is ever mentioned—by the ruling class or their acolytes.
It is a constant battle to ward off the tentacles of liberalism and reformism. They continue to creep into people’s minds and organizations like rising damp. Perpetual vigilance is needed to ensure they never get a grip on revolutionary organizations too. It is the great ‘soft weapon’ of imperialism, capitalism and the ruling class.
Today, in the north of Ireland, there is a lot of unease, many protests and campaigns, along with millions of words written about the demise of our health service here.
As one example—of which there are numerous—a reformist tactic by the ruling class here is outlined in an article in the Irish News (23/2/26) about patients getting treatment outside of the North because they have been on a waiting list for a long time. The deliberate lack of funding of the NHS is covered up with the grand name of: The Waiting List Reimbursement Scheme! In the article, this reformist, short-term solution is even portrayed as a success, in that a tiny fraction of the thousands on waiting lists get to pay for their treatment outside of the North, even though they are reimbursed at a later stage. And this ‘scheme’ is undoubtedly seen, by far too many people, as better than nothing. That is—be grateful for small mercies—is the implied thinking.
The same Irish News article has all the relevant stats and also uses that great journalistic trait of showing both sides of the story. But true to the established ‘journalistic guidelines,’ it never, ever alludes to or explores the cause.
There is no doubt that several editors viewed this piece before its publication, and the journalist himself who wrote it was clearly aware of its content. Gerry Kelly SF MLA, Mike Nesbitt UU MLA, the BMA, Dr Alan Stout (chair of the BMA) are all quoted in the article. But not one of them mentions capitalism as the cause. Why?
Dr Alan Stout comes close when he describes the £10 million Waiting List Reimbursement Scheme as an initiative that is “…at best, a short-term fix to a much deeper problem in our health service.” Why not say what the deeper problem actually is? He goes on to say that by relying on “temporary or individual solutions” over sustained investment in core services, “we risk entrenching and widening a two-tier system where those with the time, resources or ability to navigate the system benefit most.”
He further says that this system “…ultimately deepens existing inequalities in our health system instead of addressing the root causes that leave so many people waiting in the first place. I would be concerned that individuals and families are getting into short-term debt in order to access the treatment they need.” And no mention of class. No mention of neo-liberalism, and certainly not that other very bad word: capitalism.
In a 500+ word article there is no mention of what the root cause actually is. Not by any politicians, not by the BMA and not by Dr Alan Stout. Even though he appears to be alluding to it… but of course he is not. That is a sleight of hand to sound a bit radical. It is safe language.
As revolutionary activists, we have to guard against—not alone the omission of accurate revolutionary language—but also guard against the insipid language of liberalism and reformism clearly on display in this article. And it is everywhere in the lives of the population, trying to exist and navigate the swamp of just living. All the more reason we need to embed ourselves in the actions and lives of the people out there.
