- The Socialist Party has dozens of branches in towns and cities up and down the country.
- Visit socialistparty.org.uk/events to see a list of upcoming public meetings.
- Get in touch for more info about meetings in your area, or to discuss joining – socialistparty.org.uk/join or text 07958032071
West London: Lively debate on the way forward
by Dara Fitzgerald, West London Socialist Party
Over 30 people attended a Socialist Party public meeting to discuss the fight for a new workers’ party in west London. Socialist Party National Committee member Jared Wood was the main speaker, giving an introduction about the importance of trade unions being at the heart of fights against the far-right and cuts to councils and services – not just supporting Labour come what may, as some other trade union leaders wish to do. He also spoke about the failures of Labour to give a proper fight to the far right, and instead kowtowing to anti-asylum rhetoric.
Jared then turned to the ‘Your Party’ formation. While it’s a great step forward that a political alternative to Labour is coming together, with independent meetings popping up across the country, the character and structure of the new party will be key initially. The Socialist Party argues for a federalist structure that will allow different groups to work together in the same party, and the involvement of the trade unions in an integrated way is also vital.
Bill Reed chaired the proceedings and after Jared had given his contribution, he opened the floor to questions and contributions from the audience. The discussion was lively with attendees interacting with each other and debating points such as Trump’s effect on politics, why Reform is rising in popularity, the importance of talking to people but also having different viewpoints in the new party, and standing up for the oppressed.
A big round of applause followed Jared’s closing remarks, and from speaking to people at the end there was a great buzz and response. Over £150 was raised for the Socialist Party fighting fund, and we had a long list of names of people who left details about wanting to get more involved. A very successful night all round!
Enfield meeting points to no-cuts council budget
by John Dolan, Enfield and Lea Valley Socialist Party
The Socialist Party hosted a local meeting in Enfield on the way forward for ‘Your Party.’ The attendance illustrated the potential for a new workers’ party and several young speakers in the discussion said this was their first political meeting. Four people asked to join the Socialist Party at the end of the meeting and others gave their details.
Socialist Party Executive Committee member Isai Marijerla introduced the discussion and explained the potential for a mass party and how it can be democratically run involving young people in particular.
Khalid Sadur from Enfield Community Independents spoke of how fast their group had developed; initially as a response to Gaza but now putting a radical socialist alternative. He explained that canvassing experience showed that Reform voters can be won over if presented with an alternative.
Paul Kershaw, Chair of Enfield Trades Council, proposed that the meeting agree to prepare a ‘Peoples Budget’ for Enfield before next year’s election. This would set out what council budgets based on need in the community rather than ongoing austerity cuts would look like. Like Unite nationally, Enfield Trades Council has adopted a policy of opposition to all cuts, calling on councillors to campaign to protect their communities rather than implement yet more cuts.
There was open discussion with different viewpoints expressed and people left with an appetite for more.
East London discusses trade union role
by Linda Taaffe, Waltham Forest Socialist Party
This was an ‘unofficial’ gathering of around 150 new party supporters. The mere announcement of a potential new party has brought a breath of fresh air to workers, particularly all of us activists who have been campaigning against all kinds of cuts over many years.
The three platform speakers were Noor Begum, an Independent Redbridge councillor, Michael Lavalette, another Independent councillor from Preston, and Andrew Feinstein, who stood against Keir Starmer in Camden in the general election last year.
We had a good contingent of Socialist Party members present. Two of us managed to catch the eye of the chair, and got two minutes to speak.
We both emphasised having trade union bodies in this new party, not just individual trade unionists. The six million workers in the Trades Union Congress (TUC) could be a tremendous resource for a new party – just as it was in the formation of the Labour Party.
Unfortunately, Counterfire, the organisers of the meeting, dismissed this idea saying that the new party can’t be “Labour Mark 2”. But we can’t forget that this early Labour Party set the tone for the ‘spirit of 1945’ Labour government – setting up the NHS, building masses of council housing, and nationalising utilities.
If we don’t have good organisation, then our action on the streets can disappear. When two million marched against going to war in Iraq, Labour prime minister Tony Blair initially thought the game was up, and was ready to step down. However, the anti-war coalition never followed up street protests by pressing the TUC to call mass strikes. Blair survived, and the invasion of Iraq was given the go-ahead.
When Egyptian workers brought about the mass occupation of Tahrir Square in 2011, and successfully forced the dictator president to resign, they had no organisation ready to contest the elections that followed. As a result, the right-wing pro-capitalist Muslim Brotherhood won, having a network of well-organised mosques across the whole country.
The new party has to say what it would specifically do, especially in the council elections next year. We should pledge to not vote for cuts in services, to freeze rents, and to advise anyone threatened with no-fault eviction to stay put – we’ll organise masses of members to come and defend those tenants. These ideas went down well.
It was apparent that One Member One Vote (OMOV) will become a contentious issue. But it will be one of many issues where there is lively debate. Can’t wait!
- Read also about Your Party meeting in Blackburn
- Read also about Socialist Party Meeting to discuss Your Party in Coventry
Tell us what was discussed and debated at meetings of ‘Your Party’ supporters in your area – [email protected] – and let us know about Socialist Party public meetings on ‘What next in the fight for a workers’ party?’ too