www.tusc.org.uk the www.socialistparty.org.uk Socialist 29 May - 4 June 2014 Issue 812 Price: £1 (Solidarity: £2) CON-DEMS GET A KICKING

Now build a mass voice for the working class

Sarah Sachs-Eldridge capitalist parties and was the and council tax arrears. class alternative gained an echo. super-rich get ever richer. Editor, the Socialist main beneficiary of the protest In Southampton, the Labour We were able to ask: who would This election gave us a tiny vote against parties making cuts group expelled Councillor Keith you like to represent you - a party glimpse of what a new mass at national and local level. Morrell. His crime? Standing up led by former stock-broker Far- workers’ party could offer. Now n the elections for English But in reality Ukip is another and voting against cuts. But the age or an organisation founded the campaign for the trade un- councils voters sent a mes- pro-cuts establishment party of working class gave its verdict by by class fighter and former RMT ions to break the link with pro- sage to the Con-Dem cuts the super-rich 1%, which whips re-electing him with over twice leader, the late Bob Crow? Even cuts Labour and build TUSC coalition. Get out! up racism and division. Among its the vote of his Labour opponent. the BBC admitted that RMT must be stepped up. No to cuts! The Tories are now 230 coun- backers are bosses and bankers, Voters were looking for a way to members had “pay rises every See inside for election analysis cillorsI lighter and they lost con- among its leaders are disgraced express their opposition to aus- year even during austerity, good and TUSC trol of eleven councils. 310 Lib ex-Tories, and when faced with terity - planned poverty, as the pensions and good holiday al- reports. Dem local government repre- the choice to cut services and Socialist has explained it. The 561 lowances”. Surely that’s the best Socialist election sentatives were unseated and jobs its councillors have voted in Trade Unionist and Socialist Coa- basis for a party to defend us. victories: in Ireland they now lead only six councils. favour. It actually represents all lition (TUSC) candidates pledged Trade unionists who every day Socialist Party member They were reduced to one MEP in that is rotten in capitalist politics. to vote against cuts and offered a fight to defend workers’ rights Ruth Coppinger was the European elections. In local government Labour working class alternative. in the workplace were able to elected as a TD (MP) as For months the capitalist press councillors have also chosen to TUSC suffered a blackout in explain that they would take well as 14 Anti-Austerity gave Farage a platform to peddle make cuts rather than fight back the capitalist press but nonethe- the same approach in the coun- Alliance councillors and in his false ‘man of the people’ against the cold cruelty of Con- less, where campaigners were out cil - not accepting the capitalist Greece a CWI member image. Ukip was undoubtedly Dem austerity. Labour councils the streets, in the work places, ‘logic’ that workers always have was elected as a presented as the best stick are issuing eviction notices for speaking at meetings and on the to tighten their belts and accept to beat the hated traditional non-payment of the bedroom tax doorsteps, the idea of a working cuts while the bosses and the councillor

PO Box 24697, London E11 1YD  telephone: 020 8988 8777  email: [email protected] 2 elections join the socialists - www.socialistparty.org.uk 29 May - 4 June 2014 the Socialist the Socialist The paper of the Socialist Party. Issue 812. The Socialist, PO Box 24697, London E11 1YD Registered as a newspaper at the Post Office. Published by Socialist Publications, printed by Sharman & Co Ltd. ISSN 1366-9621

article page 9). Only a class programme, involv- ing such concrete measures as a cap Euro elections: a revolt on skyrocketing rents, an emergency council home-building programme, and fighting the cuts, could lay the basis for beginning to answer Ukip’s against the capitalist empty demagogy. Nigel Farage in his ‘former life’ was a stockbroker, a scion of the rich, a member of the bankers’ fraternity, who dragged us into the abyss of a devastating crisis establishment from 2007 onwards. Many confused working people, in desperation, were seduced to vote Peter Taaffe for Ukip because they could not see Socialist Party general secretary an alternative in these elections. In some areas, where they could, they gave one vote for Ukip, and one for he long-predicted ‘earth- TUSC. This is just one indication quake’ - the electoral ‘tri- that there was no entrenched racism umph’ of the far right and among the majority. They could be their allies - took place in won to a radical anti-capitalist party the European elections in some key and a campaign which fought against countries.T In Britain Ukip came first, the shallow, false notion that immi- pushing Labour into second position grants are the cause of the problems and the Tories - the ‘governing party’ they face. This in turn could help to - into an ignominious third position. cement class unity by fighting for the The Liberal Democrats were com- ‘rate for the job’, against zero-hour pletely humiliated, left with just one contracts and for a living wage. MEP! In France, the governing Socialist Party suffered an even worse disas- Establishment panic ter, reduced to just 16% of the overall In complete panic following this vote, with Marine Le Pen’s Front Na- election, the Tories, and even La- tional (FN) claiming victory against bour spokespersons like Ed Balls, both François Hollande’s misnamed have called for “noise” about im- ‘socialists’ as well as the centre-right migration. Without a complete UMP. withdrawal from Europe - which is not favoured by the capitalists, and therefore is unlikely in the short Far-right growth term - they know they will not be In both cases the far right man- able to immediately stop immigra- aged to hoover up the votes of many tion from the EU. workers who had looked towards Therefore, their propaganda is to the left and the workers’ parties stop ‘immigrant welfare scroungers’, in the past. The far right success- so-called benefit tourism, despite fully deflected workers’ anger and the fact that all figures show that very bitterness against their increasing few immigrants to Britain and else- impoverishment into a protest vote where take advantage of these ‘ben- against austerity and immigration, efits’. The only effect of this will be to which was presented as the author play up divisions and racism, which of all their misfortunes. The far-right must be energetically combated by Danish People’s Party also won the the whole labour movement. biggest share of the vote while eu- Not voting was a key trend in these rosceptics and right-wing parties elections and an expression of the gained across the Nordic countries. Ruth Coppinger celebrates her election to the Dail with Joe Higgins and Paul Murphy distrust of the political establishment Even in Germany, Alternative - with a farcical 13% voting in Slova- für Deutschland, a relatively new same time, the neo-fascist Golden Gilmore has been forced to resign. Britain, where the SWP are formally kia. In Britain, well over 50% did not eurosceptic party, gained seats for Dawn got over 9% of the vote and has But, like Spain and Greece, where in an alliance in the Trade Unionist vote, but the results do not necessar- the first time in the EU Parliament, entered the European Parliament for there was a left alternative it did well, and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) with ily indicate how people will vote in which meant that Angela Merkel’s the first time. The neo-fascists would and in the case of the Socialist Party, the Socialist Party. the 2015 general election. Neverthe- party, the CDU, suffered its worst have been undermined even further spectacularly so. The election to the What are the conclusions to be less Ukip threatens to become an en- result in European Parliamentary if Syriza and its leader Tsipras had Dáil of Ruth Coppinger in the parlia- drawn from this round of elections? trenched right-wing factor in Britain, elections. The neo-fascist NPD won not watered down some of its most mentary byelection in Dublin West, Firstly, the results of the national, like the Freedom Party in Austria or a seat, as did a number of small ‘pro- radical demands, such as the cancel- together with a slew of 14 councillors local and European elections repre- the National Front in France. Moreo- test’ parties. lation of the debt and the nationali- in Dublin, Cork and Limerick, rep- sent a revolt against the whole of the ver, the after-shocks are having an The new prime minister Matteo sation of the banks, in the mistaken resents a real triumph for socialism capitalist establishment, including immediate effect in Britain in raising Renzi in Italy bucked the trend be- belief that a more ‘moderate’ ap- and genuine Marxism. the leaders of the ex-workers’ parties question marks over the continued cause he is still in a honeymoon peri- proach would boost its popularity. Unfortunately, Paul Murphy was like Miliband, Hollande, etc. Even direction and leadership of all three od and workers crave some stability. not re-elected as a member of the these leaders speak of mass ‘aliena- main party leaders. That will change as his attacks on the European Parliament, despite nearly tion’ and ‘disenfranchisement’ with- working class are implemented. Left victories 30,000 first preference votes. One of out once really admitting that this However, the presumed unstop- One welcome outcome in Greece the factors leading to his defeat was disillusionment applies not just to We need a workers’ party pable advance of the far right was not was the victory of Nikos Kanel- the shameful decision of the Social- the official right-wing parties but to It is still unlikely that any of them reflected everywhere and particu- lis a leading member of Xekinima ist Workers Party (SWP) in Ireland their parties as well! will be ditched before the election. larly where the working class had the (Greek section of the CWI, the world to stand against Paul, a sitting MEP, Moreover, unless alternative mass But Nick Clegg is certainly a candi- alternative of voting for a mass left or socialist organisation to which the which opened the way for a pro-aus- parties of the working class are es- date for removal as his party faces workers’ party. This was shown in the Socialist Party is affiliated) in lo- terity candidate to win the seat. tablished in time, possessing a clear oblivion in the general election. Netherlands as the advance of Geert cal elections in Volos. This is just a This was a blow not just for Paul, fighting socialist alternative, then Even Ed Miliband faces criticisms Wilders’ far-right Party for Freedom small anticipation of the way the the left of the Irish labour movement these disillusioned masses can turn from his own party, including the was halted, in the main because long-suffering Greek workers will and the CWI, but to all those workers in desperation to the far right. Labour-supporting Daily Mirror: there was an alternative for workers move en masse in the future. who have been involved in struggle Imagine if the trade union leaders “Weird Ed… Odd Ed was always a to vote for in the form of the Social- In Spain the governing party did throughout Europe and wider afield in Britain, particularly those on the greater political danger than Red ist Party. badly, as did the former social demo- than this, including Palestinians, Sri left like Len McCluskey, had assisted Ed. Voters warm to bold policies Notwithstanding the political cratic opposition, PSOE, whose lead- Lankan activists, and others facing in the development of a new mass and a left-wing fairness agenda is inadequacies of this party on pro- er has resigned. But the left parties repression. They have seen him as workers’ party with radical socialist popular.” (Kevin Maguire) But nom- gramme and internal lack of democ- and formations like the United Left an energetic fighter for their many ideas, what effects this would have inally ‘Red Ed’ will still not cut the racy, it nevertheless acted as a pole and Podemos did well. causes. had in this round of elections and mustard with the working class, im- of attraction for workers, managing The same is true of Ireland where, This spiteful and blatant example the general election in 2015? prisoned as he is within the frame- to cut into the expected vote of the in general, the main capitalist parties of sectarianism - putting your own It would have held out the possi- work of capitalism. far right. - Fianna Fail and Fine Gael - suffered, short-term narrow interests before bility of cutting across the effects of A new mass working class party The same is true for Greece, where while the Irish Labour Party received the cause of the left and the working Ukip and all the pro-capitalist par- consistently fighting for radical, so- Syriza topped the poll with 26%, 4% a major drubbing. Labour has been class - has been passed over in com- ties. This is what the TUSC did man- cialist policies can offer a way for- ahead of the main right-wing gov- in government and presiding over vi- plete silence by their counterparts age to do in a small way in some ar- ward for working people in Britain erning party, New Democracy. At the cious austerity. Party leader Eamon internationally and especially in eas - despite a media blackout (see and Europe.

Have you got news for us? Phone us on 020 8988 8777 or 07958032071 [email protected] fax: 020 8988 8787. editor Sarah Sachs-Eldridge, international news/youth news Sarah Wrack, letters/reviews Roger Shrives, workplace news Alison Hill, news Dave Carr, layout Suzanne Beishon, photographer Paul Mattsson. Deadline: Friday before publication date. Urgent news - Monday the Socialist 29 May - 4 June 2014 join the socialists - www.socialistparty.org.uk news 3 Super-wealthy get richer Them... Dave Carr

To join this club you need a mini- mum of £85 million. That’s right; it’s membership of the Sunday Times Rich List, featuring Britain’s thousand wealthiest people. With sickening regularity, this year’s list shows that the super-rich have got even richer. Out of sight This glaring inequality will further Earlier this year the charity Oxfam antagonise the overwhelming ma- reported that a mere five billionaire jority in the UK who continue to be families owned as much wealth as reducing the number of jobseekers battered with government imposed 20% of the population in Britain. from official figures is the applica- austerity, wage cuts, zero-hour con- More recently, the Office for National tion of financial sanctions on benefit tracts and ever rising utility, trans- Statistics (ONS) has calculated claimants. Used by previous Labour port and housing costs. that the country’s richest 1% have governments, under the Coalition The list reports that the richest amassed as much wealth as the government sanctions have soared 1,000 people in Britain have in- poorest 55% of the population. to affect nearly 900,000 claimants creased their wealth by 15% in the But as shocking as this inequality a year. last year to an unimaginable total of is, critics have pointed out that the According to a former Jobcentre Plus £520 billion. That’s enough money ONS calculations of the country’s adviser’s dossier of evidence to a to run the NHS for several years and £9.5 trillion of property, pensions House of Commons select commit- still have enough left over to build Officially, the richest 1% own as much wealth as 55% of the population and financial assets, leaves out tee, Department for Work and Pen- millions of new affordable homes, measure he’s left open enough tax cialist Coalition will assist in bring- the trillions of pounds estimated to sions officials repeatedly told staff scrap tuition fees and do much loopholes to allow the richest to salt ing about such a vitally necessary be salted away by the super-rich in to find imaginative ways to impose more besides. away their wealth in offshore tax party. offshore tax havens. sanctions on hapless jobseekers, havens. thereby creating the illusion of fall- But is Labour leader Ed Miliband ing unemployment. Deficit jumping up and down demanding Profits before people These mega-rich individuals col- the application of tax justice meas- In the first quarter of 2014 energy lectively increased their combined ures? No. As usual, he’s as quiet as a giant E.ON made a £177 million Unaffordable housing fortunes by £70 billion last year. So church mouse for fear of antagonis- profit - £36 million lower than in 34 first time buyers in Streatham, what is Chancellor George Osborne ing big business. 2013. But despite still ringing up £2 south London, were left stranded waiting for when he demands that And what about the darling of the million a day profit E.ON announced after their “affordable housing” was the budget deficit is eliminated? It’s mass media - the ‘anti-establish- that it was scrapping its 25% saving gazumped by their own social hous- simple George, slap a wealth tax on ment’ establishment Ukip? Not a scheme for the over 60s on pension ing provider, Wandle. these people and restore the cuts in peep from Nigel Farage. But that’s credits. After new valuations by Wandle, jobs, benefits and public services! not surprising as one of his party From June, an estimated 30,000 prices for one bedroom flats soared Of course the millionaire, Oxford- backers is Paul Sykes, who just hap- customers will have to pay the by an average £55,000 and two educated Tory chancellor has no pens to be a member of the rich list higher rate standard tariff. One 84 bedroom properties by £115,000. intention of imposing a levy on his club! year old dual-fuel customer will now A catering worker told the Even- chums. But that hasn’t stopped him Working class people need a have to find an extra £360 a year. ing Standard: “I got my mortgage imposing a pernicious bedroom tax new, mass party with socialist poli- Yet keeping the scheme would only approved and my bags have been and removing council tax support cies to end this unacceptable social have cost mega-profitable E.ON an packed ready to move in. I’ve been for the poorest in society, while inequality. That’s why continuing estimated £900,000 a month. living out of boxes for months just reducing the top rate of income tax the important pioneering electoral waiting for the keys. It’s devastat- and corporation tax. And for good work of the Trade Unionist and So- ing.” Another scuppered buyer Government lies described Wandle as “behaving like The old adage of ‘lies, damned lies, mercenaries”. and government statistics’ has been underlined by the Con-Dems’ pres- entation of the unemployment fig- Social cleansing ures. George Osborne falsely claims Despite an 8% rise in homelessness Join the fightback! Join the Socialists! that Britain’s economic recovery is this year, Tory-run Westminster has www.socialistparty.org.uk • Phone 020 8988 8777 • Text 07761 818206 reducing unemployment. withdrawn funding for two homeless Of course what the Chancellor omits hostels in the borough, forcing them in his boasting is the huge rise in to close. The charity Housing Justice, part-time working, zero-hour con- said services for the homeless in the tracts and low-paid self-employment. West End were already stretched to Another widely suspected method of “full capacity”. Westminster is one of ten London Privatisation threatens postal service boroughs where the net value of Robert McArdle ‘external investment’ was the only see the battle lines being drawn properties outstrips the worth of all CWU member, South Mids Postal way forward for Britain’s postal between a management driven the properties in Wales, Northern (Coventry) service. by market profits and the CWU Ireland and Scotland combined. As we have highlighted in the So- union, who will need to defend cialist, privatising Royal Mail would their members against vicious cost- ...& Us On the very week Royal Mail report- be a big mistake for the public. And cutting attacks. ed a 12% rise in operating profits to now, within months of its underval- The historic deal that has just £671 million, the newly privatised ued sell-off, the threat to the uni- been signed by the CWU and Royal company was complaining about versal postal service is again on the Mail protecting jobs and condi- ‘market competition’ from the likes agenda. tions, will be tested over the next of TNT. The daily delivery service to the two years. Postal workers are right It’s ironic that directors at Royal 29 million homes and businesses to be concerned about their future Mail recently toured the country is threatened because competitor once the agreed pay deal comes to seeking to convince workers that companies like TNT cherry-pick an end. Thousands of jobs were lost end to end delivery in places like at BT after privatisation of the tel- London and Liverpool. ecoms company and those remain- The industry regulator Ofcom re- ing workers have seen their terms sponded by saying: “We would ex- and conditions weaken due to the Have you got news for the ‘fishes’? Email: [email protected] pect Royal Mail to take appropriate ‘partnership’ between management steps to respond to the challenge and the CWU. posed by competition, including The lesson for postal workers is What we Teacher workloads improving efficiency.” In reality this clear – they need the union to fight saw by Marcus Owen means increasing workloads and to protect the gains made over the pressure on postal workers. years. Royal Mail bosses will con- tinue their race to the bottom as they seek to increase profits for Jobs shareholders but the CWU will need The threat of reducing the six-day to stay alert to the dangers of ‘part- delivery service would have a sig- nerships’. Workers’ ultimate power nificant impact on jobs and services lies in the ability to withdraw their within Royal Mail. labour as a last resort. It could also be used by manage- The solution for Royal Mail’s dif- ment as a weapon to try and force ficulties is simple; take it back into through inferior working conditions public ownership. Then the postal and also have an impact on future service could be delivering a service pay deals. based on public need not on private Over the next few years we will greed. 4 Workplace www.socialistparty.org.uk 29 May - 4 June 2014 the Socialist

PCS conference: Preparing for more battles In brief Local government ballot Rob Williams tion in the departmental groups, Local government trade unions are organise targeted action in areas currently balloting for strike action where longer spells of action can after the National Joint Council for PCS conference met from 19 to 22 have a disproportionally strong im- Local Government Services’ re- May, yet again under siege from pact on the employer’s operations, fusal to negotiate over its 1% final this Tory-led government and its national action where appropriate pay offer. The unions are fighting austerity offensive. As one delegate and, this was the main demand of for a £1.20 an hour increase on all remarked, it was an incredible feat members and activists in the con- pay points. to fill out the Brighton Conference sultation, joint coordinated action The Unison ballot closes on 23 Centre, when for the first time, all across the public sector on those June, with the Unite and GMB delegates had to use up their vaca- issues, like pay, pensions, privatisa- ballots running over a similar time- tion to attend as facility time was tion etc, that affect all public sector scale. If the ballots are in favour denied. workers. of action the strike is likely to be Despite all the government cuts The prospect is now raised of over coordinated for 10 July. to jobs and attacks on union rights, a million public sector workers tak- the incumbent Democracy Alliance ing action together. in which socialist-led Left Unity PCS will be pushing for a full cal- Mark Harding plays a leading role achieved a total endar of action that goes into the Transport union RMT branch victory in the recent national execu- autumn, which should also include secretary Mark Harding appeared tive (NEC) elections. NHS workers. in court on 23 May on trumped up PCS members understand that charges arising from the London the best way to defend their inter- Underground dispute over ticket ests and to protect jobs, conditions Welfare ‘reform’ office closures. Outrageously, Mark and services is to support a cam- National vice-president John McI- is facing imprisonment under the paigning, dedicated, democratic United on 30 November 2011 photo Senan nally set out the union’s strategy in anti-trade union laws and is wait- leadership that is prepared to fight its fight against the draconian ‘wel- ing for a verdict on 2 June. Mark rather than bow down to, or collab- racy that has been established in the main driving force in trying to main- fare reform’ agenda explaining that was held in custody for 13 hours orate with the government’s auster- union. tain it after unions like Unison, with because it was an attack on our en- after his arrest. Draconian bail con- ity agenda. The NEC motion to continue ne- TUC support, had signed up to the tire class it requires a response from ditions were only dropped when gotiations was defeated as was an Tory Heads of Agreement betrayal. our whole class, especially from the the union’s lawyers intervened. openly anti-merger motion. How- The motions that were passed set whole trade union movement. “It is A group of MPs and trade union Coordinated strikes ever, a motion was passed which out a serious strategy that would in- important that it becomes a major leaders have backed the call for General secretary Mark Serwotka favoured continued negotiations clude PCS lining up with the likes priority of our whole movement, not a fair trial and for the anti-trade did not attend conference as he but emphasised some bottom- of Unison, GMB and Unite in the just PCS”. union laws to be abolished. was recovering from surgery. Thir- line conditions PCS should put councils, if the current strike bal- Socialist Party members played teen-times elected president Janice on a merger. The next issue of the lots are in favour, with the NUT and an impressive role throughout the Godrich opened up conference by Socialist will deal with this issue possibly others in the biggest joint national and group conferences. Heathrow Express highlighting the debates on the po- more fully. strike since N30. General secretary Peter Taaffe RMT members working on the tential coordinated strike against In the debate on the pay strike, Conference rejected a cynical spoke at an excellent Socialist Party Heathrow Express are striking the pay freeze on 10 July and possi- fellow Socialist Party members, motion that “turned the PCS strat- meeting on the TUSC electoral chal- on 23 and 24 May and 26 and ble merger with Unite as critical for re-elected assistant general secre- egy on its head” by saying the union lenge and the need for a new work- 27 May. This is in response to conference and the wider union. tary Chris Baugh and Department should take national action on its ers’ party in the week of the council multi-million pound cuts which After Unite approached the PCS for Work and Pensions president own even if other unions were not and European elections. threaten pay, jobs and safety. 201 regarding a merger the leadership Fran Heathcote, highlighted how involved in order to defeat the pay A number of delegates signed up jobs are under threat as a result has looked at first joint work and PCS had been central in attempt- freeze. to join the party. Nearly £1,000 was of the company attempting to pass then potential amalgamation. Last ing to build a coordinated fightback PCS’s strategy based on confer- raised from delegates who donated Civil Aviation Authority cuts to the year’s conference outlined the ex- against the Con-Dem cuts. ence policy, NEC decisions and a from their conference expenses to Heathrow Airport budget directly pectations that PCS would have in PCS was the critical force in build- massive branch consultation is ac- ensure we have the finances to con- onto the workforce. any formal talks with Unite - espe- ing the mass joint pension strike of tually very clear. PCS will pursue tinue the struggle inside and outside cially maintaining the lay democ- 30 November 2011 and was the campaigns including industrial ac- the union. NUT supports coordinated action on 10 July Construction workers protest Martin Powell-Davies paign stalls, Education Question by officers that the survey results be Member of the National Union of Time events, a Lobby of Parliament reported to the July National Execu- Teachers (NUT) national executive on 10 June and the People’s Assem- tive - in time to make sure we could bly national demonstration on 21 - if agreed - make plans for further June. action earlier in the autumn term, The NUT’s executive committee has There will be consultation with perhaps alongside other unions too. voted to make preparations to give local officers and members on pat- Of course, at the same time another notice for strike action on 10 July. terns of further strike action in the ‘survey’ of members will be taking This is the day that school support autumn term, including surveys of place - the election for NUT General staff unions have put forward for reps and random samples of mem- Secretary. I have consistently argued when they hope to be able to call a bers to be conducted after 10 July. for the union to announce a calendar coordinated strike. Reassurances were given that the of ongoing strike action, mobilising Other public sector unions like June Executive meeting could dis- members around a clear set of cam- the PCS have live ballots already in cuss the draft content of any mem- paign demands. I believe that the place and are also discussing the bers’ survey before it was issued (as support for that demand will be re- possibility of coordinating action well as getting an update on talks flected in support for my candidature too. with government and news from in June’s general secretary election. There will also be other cam- other unions). For more see Martin’s blog: paigning activity including cam- Importantly, it was recommended electmartin1.blogspot.co.uk Land Registry strike may just be the beginning A Public and Commercial Services about LR privatisation, detailed ion. At the Birkenhead picket line union (PCS) member plans had been made to move the there were 30-plus members mak- trusted and efficient public service ing a stand, but the picket line also into the private sector. received a visit from a delegation of On 14 and 15 May, PCS members This led to significant support Swedish trade unionists who were working in Land Registry (LR) re- for the strike from customers and in the region and wanted to show sponded overwhelmingly to a call even a former chief Land Registrar some international solidarity for our for strike action. who understand that the dispute is dispute. The action had been called as a not only about defending jobs but The week following the strike, result of the failure of LR manage- is also about defending a public delegates met in Brighton for PCS NSSN members and other trade unionists joined construction workers ment to give the union assurances service. conference and the Land Registry on a day of action on 23 May. This national day of action was against about privatisation, no compulsory In the build up to the strike, lo- dispute was one of the hot topics of the increasing attempts by large construction companies to refuse redundancies and retaining a pres- cal PCS branches set up campaign discussion. to employ workers directly. Workers are being forced to go through ence in each of the current loca- committees involving not only ex- In the coming weeks PCS will ‘umbrella’ companies and are expected to pay large sums just to get tions. isting activists but also members, continue to push for the assurances their wages processed. The action was also called many of whom had never been in- that our members require and we On the same day a further protest took place in Northampton against against the background of a dam- volved in union activity before. will be making it quite clear to both blacklisting in the construction industry. The headquarters of the aging article in the Guardian On the strike days this was further management and the government Danish owned employment agency Atlanco Rimec was occupied. newspaper, which showed that borne out by the numbers on the that if they are not prepared to meet This agency has been exposed on Danish TV as operating a blacklist. despite public assurances given by picket lines, where in many cases our reasonable demands that the photo Neil Cafferky Tory minister Michael Fallon MP dozens of members came along to action on 14 and 15 May was just that no decision had been made show active support for their un- the start. the Socialist 29 May - 4 June 2014 join the socialists - www.socialistparty.org.uk reports 5 Care UK workers plan more action Bradford campaign Alistair Tice equity company that owns Care UK) in London. Petitions were pre- sented to Downing Street. for £10 an Care UK striker Mags Cowling Dave Prentis, Unison general told a strike rally on 17 May: “We secretary, visited the Doncaster hour are currently on our fifth round picket line pledging 100% support. On 24 May a handful of Social- of strike action (just completed Strikers were invited to Unison ist Party members set up a stall in 34 days of strikes so far)! Negotia- head office where they got tea and Bradford city centre to campaign for tions have taken place with Care biscuits and met with Christina a £10 an hour minimum wage. None UK but with no movement except McAnea, Unison’s head of health. of us could have expected the re- a 14 month transitional payment And there was a 200-strong dem- sponse we got. Before the table was of enhancements, but when asked onstration through Doncaster on set up people were standing around what are we supposed to do after Saturday 17 May. offering support. At one point peo- that the reply given was ‘Learn to The election of a strike commit- ple were three deep attempting to budget!’ tee and new shop stewards has sign the petition. “Also it was agreed that our sen- strengthened the leadership of the In the end we sold 30 copies of ior managers would be given a rise dispute and given it more organi- the Socialist paper and 13 people of £2,000 a year. sation and direction. expressed an interest in joining the “So again we fight back saying The last strike meeting voted Socialist Party. Several shop work- Care UK workers protest ‘Enough is enough’ and we the for another two-week strike next photo A Tice ers came and chatted to us in their strikers will not lie down and roll month, but the strikers need and they operate or have contracts. doubt that this group of inspiring lunch break. over while they cut our wages to demand that the words of support More pressure will be applied workers deserve that victory. The history of Bradford includes make profit for themselves and from Unison be turned into action. to Doncaster’s Labour mayor and Requests for speakers, messages the late Pat Wall, the socialist MP. shareholders!” The Doncaster Unison Health council to bring the contract back of support and donations to the Just one of the many reasons why ‘The Angry Mob’ have toured branch motion that was sent to in-house with the NHS. hardship fund: admin@unison- this city needs a socialist alternative the country. They have spoken at the union’s national industrial If that is done, the Care UK dab.org.uk and donations/cheques to the newly elected Labour group. meetings from Scotland to Bristol. action committee holds the key workers could win a famous victory made out to: “Doncaster, District  Bradford Socialist Party meeting: They have picketed Care UK offices to winning the dispute. Unison which could start to roll back the & Bassetlaw Health Branch” and Tuesday 3 June at 7pm. Resource in Sheffield, Leeds and Newcastle. nationally must mobilise all its tide of pay cuts and privatisation send to: Jenkinson House, White Centre, Chapel Street, Little Ger- A coachful descended on Care resources of finance, organisers and give confidence to millions Rose Way, Doncaster, DN4 5GJ. many. UK’s head office in Essex and an- and activists to declare war on Care of other workers that if you stand Visit Facebook “Doncaster Sup- Peter Robson other hit Bridgepoint (the private UK all over the country wherever and fight, you can win. There is no ported Living Unison Strike” page. Bradford Socialist Party Salford: anti-cuts rally defies Fighting the Bedroom council ban and BNP Tax Hugh Caffrey banned by Salford’s Labour coun- excuse of the same laws about elec- Bedroom cil! They claimed that electoral laws tions. A swiftly organised protest Chris Jackson meant there couldn’t be an anti- meant the BNP never showed up. Tax Three hundred people joined the cuts protest on council property this Salford’s burgeoning anti-cuts Salford Against Cuts “Rally on the month. Labour is quick enough to movement exposes the council’s Labour dominated Nottingham Lawn” outside the civic buildings say it’s opposed to the cuts, but even complicity in the Tories’ vicious council issued a claim for a sus- on 17 June. Campaigners from all quicker to attack those actually do- austerity cuts. This is why more and pended possession order for a bed- evictions policy. the services affected by the Labour ing something about it! more people are getting involved in room tax tenant who was less than The claim for possession was ad- council’s cuts rallied together in a But the BNP were allowed by the Salford Against Cuts and supporting four weeks in arrears and whose journed for one year but the ten- fun festival. council to book a public meeting in TUSC, because a fightback is so ob- arrears had been decreasing for the ant’s payments were increased - by Shamefully, this rally had been the same civic buildings, under the viously needed. last four months. £1.10 a week. On the day of the hearing mem- Now the tenant does not have the bers of Nottingham and Notting- fear of eviction hanging over them, RMT members and others hamshire Scrap the Bedroom Tax but how many tenants have slipped demonstrate in Doncaster Defend Council Tax Benefit issued through the net with no legal sup- against the McNulty report a giant ‘summons’ to the council for port in court and are now stuck with photo Karl Lang failing to respond to the campaign’s court costs and a suspended pos- requests for a meeting, failing to session order? follow the eviction prevention pro- As we announced to passers- tocol, failing to prevent possession by, Nottingham council says it is hearings for bedroom tax tenants, against the bedroom tax and that failing to stand up to central govern- it is unsustainable so why are they ment and failing to implement a no- taking people to court for arrears? Wales TUC If it wasn’t for the socialists... Ronnie Job members enriched debates includ- ing those on social housing, bedroom tax, zero-hour contracts and moved “If it wasn’t for the trades councils a resolution, unanimously carried, there wouldn’t be any debate here.” criticising the Welsh government for This was one delegate’s comment to subsidising poor working conditions me while I was selling the Socialist at Amazon, demanding union recog- paper on the last day of Wales TUC. nition be made a condition of Welsh The majority of the Wales TUC lead- government subsidies and calling for ership wants to work in partnership a drive to unionise. with the Welsh Labour government. If it wasn’t for Socialist Party mem- USDAW Time and again we were told we bers, pretty much a single political a fighting have to accept cuts and be realistic. viewpoint would have been heard at Special The Socialist Party demands a conference. This year’s was the last offer to programme fight against all cuts regardless of as an annual conference. From now readers of the who is implementing them. We on the Wales TUC will meet for a full Socialist £5 (including pointed out that Labour leads conference only every two years, a postage). Orders of 5 or eleven of the 22 local authorities in move we opposed as reducing de- more: £4 each Wales and the Welsh government. mocracy and hindering the potential Available soon, contact Socialist £2.50 If they had the political will, Welsh for trade unionists to fight cuts. We Books, PO Box 24697, London (including Labour has a position to be a power- need to find other ways next year to postage). E11 1YD. bookshop@social ful force against Con-Dem austerity. get the ideas of socialism and fight- istparty.org.uk or ring Available from Socialist - Books, PO Box 24697, Lon- But not a single Welsh Labour coun- ing cuts, to trade unionists in Wales 020 8988 8789 Written and Edited by cil has refused to make Con-Dem and a number of delegates suggested don E11Robbie 1YD. Segal bookshop@ (General Secretary candidate 2008 cuts. For that matter, not a single convening a Welsh Shop Stewards and EC membersocialistparty.org.uk 2000 - 2012) or Welsh Labour councillor has refused Network in order to bring together An Activist/Socialistring Party 020 pamphlet 8988 8789 to make Con-Dem cuts. the most militant sections of the As well as providing the main po- Welsh trade union movement. litical opposition, Socialist Party 6 the Socialist 29 May - 4 June 2014 29 May - 4 June 2014 the Socialist 7

2014:Hannah The Sell Turnouts are ‘oftenrejec lowest in working anti-racist but see big business using etc. Thist is a disastrous ionpolicy that cannot the general election. The cynicselec mock has a record of kowtowing to the bil- tion’ Socialist Party deputy general secretary class areas. For example, the turnout in super-exploited migrants to lower reach workers looking to Ukip, while that it is impossible to build a new force lionaires and bankers in whose interests Hull was only 21%, with the national av- wages, as well as over-stretched under- allowing Labour, in part to ‘use’ those to the left of Labour. This is nothing new! Britain is run. Labour implementing aus- erage estimated at 36%. At root this re- resourced public services. opposed to Ukip to bolster their position. At the end of the 19th century, the pes- terity at council level and memories of his was the ‘rejection election’. flects the continued crisis of capitalism. It is anger at the establishment par- simists of the day poured scorn on the at- Labour’s record in office confirm work- It once again demonstrated the The government’s trumpeting of a return ties that has fuelled Ukip’s growth. Cam- tempts of Kier Hardie and others to create ers’ scepticism. depth of anger and alienation to economic growth is largely meaning- Build a movement against cuts paigning together with Labour and the a new workers’ party to the left of the Lib- If Labour forms the next government Now that exists with all Britain’s ‘tra- less. Most people feel worse off today In March 2011, the TUC organised a Lib Dems against Ukip will only allow erals and Tories. History, however, was these fears will be proved 1,000-fold. A ditional’ parties. In the aftermath of the than before the recession. The Trussell 750,000 strong national demonstration Ukip to claim that socialists are ‘no differ- on the side of those that fought to build a Labour government, because it will act electionT all of the major parties are lick- Trust reports that the number of fami- against austerity. Ukip supporters re- ent to the rest’. party of labour, just as it is on the side of in the interests of capitalism, would not ing their wounds, trying to put a brave lies needing three or more days of emer- sponded by trying to call a demonstra- If Ukip was a fascistic party, akin to those today who see that Labour has be- even carry out all of the incredibly mod- face on the results. gency food from one of their food banks tion in support of cuts - a pathetic few Golden Dawn in Greece - with a fighting come another party of big business. est measures it is currently proposing to In the European election a party other has increased from 26,000 in 2009 to over hundred turned up. This showed the bal- force that carried out physical attacks on The Labour leadership has repeatedly improve workers’ living standards, unless than the ‘big two’ won a national poll for 900,000 in 2014. ance of forces at that stage. minorities and trade unionists - it would made it clear that a Labour government it was compelled to, like any other capital- trade the first time since 1910. The Tories were There have been attempts to play The trade union movement, with sev- be correct for workers to organise de- will continue with austerity and public ist party would be, by a mass movement. relegated to third place. The former ‘pro- down Ukip’s result, pointing out that en and a half million members, is poten- fence of all those who faced attacks. spending cuts. When workers take strike Shadow secretary for work and pensions test party’, the Lib Dems, was reduced their council results were lower than the tially the most powerful force in society. Even then the most important prior- action against austerity, Miliband joins Rachel Reeves has talked of ‘saving’ Dun- to one MEP, coming fifth behind the 23% they achieved last year and that they Had the TUC used its demonstration as ity would be to organise independently the chorus of opposition to their stance, can-Smith’s vicious Universal Credit. Greens. Also in the local elections a siz- failed to make a breakthrough in Lon- a launch pad to organise a serious strug- around a clear socialist programme. even threatening that a Labour govern- The task of building an electoral alter- able minority, estimated at 17%, voted don, where they received an average vote gle against austerity, it would have trans- However, this is not the character of ment would consider increasing the al- native to austerity will be urgent, as will for Ukip. Previously with two councillors of 7%. However, last year’s elections were formed the situation. Such a movement Ukip, which is a right-wing populist force ready highly-repressive anti-trade union the trade union struggle to defend work- unions in the seats up for election, Ukip now has mainly county councils, overall more ru- could have also cut across racism and which concentrates at this stage exclu- laws. ers’ living conditions. over 160. ral than the seats up this year. nationalism - making clear that the only sively on electoral politics. It is only the It is the lack of any alternative to aus- Continued public sector pay restraint This year, it is probably true that the way to prevent ‘the race to the bottom’ absence of a mass workers’ party that has terity that is responsible for Labour’s in a so-called recovery is one issue pro- Ukip threat, coupled with the Con-Dem was a united struggle for all workers to allowed them the room to partially fill the lacklustre performance on 22 May. While voking a mood for action now. Planned Anti-establishment vote experience, actually helped Labour in receive ‘the rate for the job’. vacuum. Labour won over 300 seats, its 31% of the coordinated strike action on 10 July will The central mood was a desire to kick the capital. Alarmed at the nationalist In particular, if a significant part of Unfortunately, at this vote is only up two points from 2013. This be important preparation for the huge all the ‘establishment’ parties or, as one and racist ideas put forward by Ukip can- the trade union movement had stage, the majority of the is not enough for the Labour leadership struggles that will take place under the Ukip voter put it, to “scare the govern- didates, a layer unenthusiastically voted launched a new workers’ trade union leaders to feel confident of winning the general next government. must ment”, with the EU acting as a catch-all Labour because they saw this as the best party at that time it could are continuing to election. It is not yet possible to work out the for a generalised anger. Six in ten Ukip means to block Ukip. have won the support of call for a vote likely outcome of the general election, supporters described their vote as a gen- In some other major cities the same many of those work- for Labour. given the unstable nature of politics in eral protest because they were “unhappy thing happened to a degree, with Ukip ers who are currently Nonetheless, Labour fails to capitalise this period. If Labour manages to win, it with all established political parties at the doing less well than in many smaller con- looking to Ukip as an impor- The election results and subsequent will be down to the extreme unpopularity moment”. urbations where a larger section of tra- a means to express tant minor- opinion polls have probably been of the Tories and Liberals rather than It has not been reported in the capi- ditional Labour voters voted for Ukip. In their anger. ity of trade enough to secure Miliband’s continued enthusiasm for Labour. lead our talist press, but an important minority Rotherham, Ukip won nine of the 21 seats Building a clear unionists leadership, at least for now. Undoubtedly A Liberal/Labour coalition is also a of workers expressed their anger by vot- up for election, while Labour lost seven. electoral voice - including the conclusion that the ‘ultra-Blairites’ possible outcome of the general elec- ing for the Trade Unionist and Socialist The reasons workers voted for Ukip for workers is the RMT will draw is that Labour needs to move tion. In some senses this would suit the Coalition (TUSC). In the biggest left-of- are multi-stranded. Central is a desire to the only way to transport further to the right. Shadow chancellor Ed Labour leadership, as they could use Labour stand since the war, 561 no-cuts protest against the major parties but Ukip cut across Ukip. union - are Balls has already said Labour must have ‘a the Liberals as a fig-leaf to justify their candidates stood in the local and other also used racism and nationalism. The Unfortunately, begin- louder drum beat on immigration’. Blair- anti-working class policies. However, elections. They received over 65,000 BNP vote collapsed in these elections but some on the left, ning the ite careerist Alan Milburn and others are having spent the last five years acting fightback votes. probably transferred to Ukip. It should be including the vital work demanding that Miliband becomes more as a fig-leaf for the Tories, it is doubtful In 21 councils TUSC polled over 1,000 no surprise to socialists that Ukip’s na- Socialist Workers of creating ‘pro-business’. there will be enough Liberals left! Clegg votes. In ten of these, it was over 2,000. In tionalism has gained an echo. Party - one of the a new voice In reality, whenever Miliband has made could even be pushed aside in the com- Southampton anti-cuts councillor Keith Nationalism has long been a political components of TUSC for workers via statements that appear to be siding with ing months in a desperate attempt by the Morrell was re-elected with a crushing weapon used by the capitalist class to try - have launched a TUSC. Fifty RMT the 99% against the 1%, they have been Lib Dems to limit the scale of their defeat. majority. Labour, who had expelled Keith to shore up support for their system in a ‘don’t be used by Ukip’ members stood as popular. A ComRes poll taken just before The Lib Dems’ meltdown should be a for voting against cuts, was reduced to time of economic crisis. Both Tories and campaign together with TUSC candidates 22 May showed that Labour’s announce- warning to trade unionists still looking to third place behind Ukip. Labour have used nationalism to some the parties of austerity, and aim to build on ments on the minimum wage, capping Labour about the fate of parties that act The Socialist Party - together with the extent over recent years, creating space including joint this. This is essential rent increases, freezing energy prices and in the interests of the capitalist class in a RMT - also took part in No2EU-Yes to for Ukip. leafleting, media preparation for the increasing the top rate of tax made voters time of economic crisis. The inevitable Workers’ Rights to offer a left and interna- And - in a semi-conscious attempt to stunts, period beyond more likely to vote Labour. However, the result is extreme unpopularity at best, tionalist opposition to the bosses’ Europe create a ‘safe’ electoral outlet for workers’ same poll showed that voters - correctly - and oblivion at worst, as has been seen in seven regions. anger - Ukip was given enormous pub- did not believe that Labour would imple- in Greece, France and other European The Socialist Party had argued for the licity by the capitalist media. The New ment these policies. countries. TUSC banner in the Euros and the locals. Statesman found that since 2011 The fact that Labour is overall This would undoubtedly have given both Ukip has received press cover- still only a few points ahead campaigns a higher profile. However, it age far greater than any in the polls is because it Need for a new workers’ party was not possible to convince some other other ‘minor’ party, It is not possible to judge how well Ukip forces involved in No2EU, particularly including those with will do in the general election. At this the Communist Party of Britain, of this MPs. Farage was stage only 51% of Ukip voters say they and unfortunately, it made less impact given four times as will vote for them at the general election. than it did in 2009, when it was able to much as the ‘peak’ However, it is not excluded that they can draw around it combative workers like coverage received increase this on a local basis with an in- the Lindsey construction strikers and by George Gal- tensive campaign. If Ukip manages to get Visteon car plant workers. loway of Respect one or more MPs elected it is possible TUSC’s campaigns, in particular, were or Caroline Lucas that a number of the Tory Eurosceptic practical steps on the road to a new of the Greens, for MPs could defect to Ukip after the gen- mass workers’ party. The need for such example, never eral election. a party is increasingly urgent. Ukip is a mind the media The establishment of a semi-perma- right-wing populist party, controlled and blackout suf- nent right-wing populist force in Brit- funded by millionaires, aristocrats, press fered by TUSC. ain - comparable to those that exist in a barons and stockbrokers, but it was given Ukip taps into number of European countries - would a media platform to pose as the party of the widespread be a dangerous development in British the ‘little people’. It has been able to par- fears about the politics. The only way to cut across this is tially step into the huge vacuum in British consequences the development of a genuine mass par- politics. of increased ties of the working class in Britain and Never before has the gap between the immigration. internationally. Westminster parties and the people they These fears While they are modest, the achieve- are supposed to represent been so great. are felt by ments in this election - particularly the Profound anger appears on the surface as many workers breadth of TUSC’s local election chal- so-called ‘apathy’. Over 30 million poten- who consider lenge - mark an important step on the tial voters stayed at home. themselves road to building such a force.

Trade Unionists take to the streets on 26 March 2011 photo Senan 8 feature join the socialists - www.socialistparty.org.uk 29 May - 4 June 2014 the Socialist Local elections 2014: A good base for TUSC to build on The final vote tally for the 560 local in Manor Castle ward and 8.4% in election and three mayoral Trade Burngreave ward. In Doncaster TUSC Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) polled 1,556 votes, in Barnsley 1,361, no-cuts candidates in the 22 May and in Wakefield 1,257. elections is 68,031. In London there were 5,482 votes cast In 21 councils TUSC has polled over for TUSC candidates in Waltham Forest, 1,000 votes. In ten of these, it has 4,166 in Haringey, 2,260 in Hillingdon, been over 2,000. There are 78 council 2,162 in Enfield, 1,887 for the ward wards where TUSC has polled over 5% candidates in Newham (in addition to of the vote. the 1,708 votes, 2.2%, for Lois Austin, Anti-cuts councillor Keith Morrell was TUSC’s candidate for mayor), 1,315 in re-elected in Southampton’s Coxford Lambeth, and 1,134 in Southwark. ward with 43% of the vote. In Coventry, What is clear from the results is that while Labour held on to the city’s ‘the party that doesn’t exist’ for the St Michaels ward, TUSC’s national national media has made its mark chairperson Dave Nellist polled a very and prepared the ground for broader good 974 votes, coming second with a and deeper electoral challenges in the 29.7% share. future. In Birmingham TUSC’s 12 candidates The TUSC national steering committee polled 1,766 votes, with James Redfern is meeting on 28 May to discuss the scoring 9.3% in Tyburn ward and Ted results and plans for next year – the Woodley 7.6% in Stockland Green. Also general election but also the 2015 on 9.3% was Amanda Dilley, the top local council elections, being fought in TUSC result in Stevenage council. more seats (excluding London) than In Sheffield TUSC’s candidates have were contested this year. A full election collectively polled 2,657 votes across report will be ready for the meeting the city, with a 10.2% share of the vote (see www.tusc.org.uk for latest).

Great TUSC victory in Support still strong for Southampton socialists in Coventry In Coventry, standing as TUSC for the first time, socialist can- Keith Morrell has re-won his coun- didates received a total of cil seat in Coxford, Southampton, 2,592 votes (3.5%) across standing as part of TUSC. Keith was the city. Dave Nellist previously kicked out of the Labour recorded a solid 974 Party for voting against cuts. (30%) in second He has been decisively re-elected place in St Michaels with 1,633 votes, 43%. This is a great ward. result and vindication for his stand, We expected our alongside fellow rebel councillor campaign to be Don Thomas, in opposing all cuts. impacted by the Ukip came second with 796 votes, ‘European election Labour third with 724 votes, the To- factor’ which un- ries fourth with 500 votes, and Lib doubtedly boosted Dems last with 168. the votes of the main parties plus Ukip and the Greens (neither of which really exist on the Keith’s result has ground in Coventry). lit up the idea that TUSC supporters can be increasingly pleased with the result given those transient fighting councillors conditions. More importantly we population replacing former settled have laid the foundations for future communities. can help build TUSC work in the city. A significant Our campaign and material fo- support for a real number of leading local trade un- cused on raising socialist demands Keith and campaigners celebrate at the election count photo Nick Chaffey ionists took part in the campaign for and policies - calling for a £10 an alternative to the first time. hour minimum wage, thousands of leader Simon Letts who nearly lost “Other significant results across A fantastic campaign launch new jobs and homes and kicking austerity his seat to Ukip after two years of the city for TUSC Against Cuts can- meeting of 65 people was held in privatisation out of the NHS. implementing Tory cuts. didates show the potential that ex- March where many signed up to be Unlike every other party, our Keith said: “This result is a vic- ists for a new party - a party that part of a campaign team which dis- campaigning won’t stop on elec- The result has lit up the idea that tory for the people of Coxford who stands up for working people, cam- tributed over 30,000 leaflets across tion day. We have established bet- fighting councillors can help build fought to save local services and paigns for jobs and housing and the city, with multiple leaflets in St ter roots and support in the city to support for a real alternative to won an important victory to re- tackles the growing poverty that af- Michaels. build upon for the general election austerity. It is in sharp contrast to open our local swimming pool. It fects so many families in the city”. In St Michaels we still have a and for future class struggles. the close shave for Labour council shows what is possible. Nick Chaffey strong base of support despite an Lenny Shail the Socialist 29 May - 4 June 2014 join the socialists - www.socialistparty.org.uk feature 9 TUSC local election reports

real option in the future for workers by collecting the 4,000 signatures in this borough. needed to force a debate on the is- Tower Hamlets TUSC sue in the council chamber. Sarah Wrack Waltham Forest In our first time standing widely North-east across the east London borough, The north-east generally has been Waltham Forest TUSC gained 5,480 regarded as a Labour heartland but votes. This is a great success for our Labour’s support is now fraying at 33 candidates and all supporters the edges. It is against this backdrop and campaigners. that there were 21 TUSC candidates TUSC candidates received 3% across Tyne and Wear. of the overall vote, which is about The election campaign, whose 5% when adjusted for the number candidates included trade union of seats we stood in. In High Street activists and many young people, ward, where we stood a full slate, was given a welcome boost when we got 5.2% of the vote. Our highest activists from Sunderland Against By Elephant and Castle tube station, election day vote, 362 for teacher Dan Gillman in Cuts joined the campaign. Labour because he stood against Markhouse, means more than 11% When one of our 18 year old Lewisham the Labour candidate last time. of voters in the ward voted for Dan. candidates heard the BBC was in- For weeks we have been pounding There have been allegations of cor- That our vote held up regardless terviewing candidates for the Eu- the pavements and front doors of ruption in his administration and of how many candidates stood in ropean elections in her local town Candidate, Corrina Smith New Cross and Brockley, looking for even a Panorama special which led each ward shows the real advantage centre she and her mam boldly those TUSC votes that would elect to police raids on his offices -or of standing widely and will hope- went down, armed with placards spired over 1,000 people to reject a socialist back onto the chestrated by Tory com- fully encourage more trade union- asking: “Where’s our Recovery?” the notion that austerity is a neces- council in Lewisham, Comment munities secretary, ists and campaigners to join us next Our candidates and volunteers sity. We also had a great deal of in- south east London. Eric Pickles. The time to ensure we can contest all 60 in Sunderland had ‘blisters on their terest from people who are willing We have had so- on Facebook Labour candidate, seats. blisters’ as they delivered 14,000 to get involved with TUSC and we cialist council- from Coventry John Biggs, was If election results depended pure- leaflets. On Facebook after the elec- now need to build in anticipation of lors in Telegraph voter: “Voted for you in the borough’s ly on who had run the best cam- tion one of them posted: “We’ve next year’s elections. Hill ward before, Greater Lon- paign, TUSC would have been the only TUSC begun!” The fact that Bill Stevens, newly Chris Flood and Sherbourne ward. Really nice don Authority hands-down winner. Our demand In Newcastle we were ap- re-elected Labour councillor for Ian Page, and resi- to have somebody to vote for representative. proached by a Labour candidate Devonport, saw fit to make a dig at us dents on the door- rather than usual bag of Undoubtedly the who requested we stood down as by proclaiming that he is a “real trade step and visiting other mainstream he was on the left. We asked if he unionist and socialist” shows that unscrupulous bastards. our stalls had fond parties would have would vote against cuts. He said Labour are already feeling the pres- memories of this. In Thank you :)” preferred the safe La- he would argue within the Labour sure that we are exerting on them. the end, Chris received bour candidate to Rah- group against cuts but conceded The irony of his statement was 659 votes. Many people man. that he was not prepared to that at the same time as he was signed up to get involved in TUSC In this highly polarised election guarantee us that he making this proclamation, and in the Socialist Party. TUSC received enthusiastic support would vote against On the Labour-led coun- Unlike when we have won in the for a programme of rent controls, all cuts. For us Twitter from cil was at the courts past, there is no unpopular New La- building council houses, a £10 an this was not Natasha Hourau (who petitioning for bour government that helped us in hour minimum wage and a fight to good enough stood on the No2EU Yes To the next batch of our argument that an alternative to return £123 million stolen from the and we stood Council Tax Li- Labour is necessary. With residents council by the government over the against him. Workers’ Rights list in London ability Orders. mainly wanting to punish the Con- last four years. One of in memory of her father, general 20,000 people, Dems, the Labour ‘brand recogni- The TUSC mayoral candidate, Gateshead’s secretary of the RMT, Bob Crow): in a popula- tion’ and party machine is a formi- Hugo Pierre, got 871 first preference Labour “Well done in your victories! Looking tion of around dable hurdle to overcome. votes, which given the circumstanc- councillor’s 250,000, have On election day Labour didn’t es was a creditable result. In the bragged in her forward to seeing how TUSC now found them- bother to appear until late after- council seats we got a total of 2,144 election ma- moves forward from here!” selves in council noon. For the last couple of hours, votes. terial that they tax arrears since the the Labour candidates degenerated The count still hasn’t finished at were “supporting Welfare Reform Act into blocking the polling booth en- the time of writing but Tower Ham- Leafleting in Waltham Forest over 250 volunteers to was introduced in April trance and aggressively interrupting lets First and Labour hold 18 seats help run five libraries and 2013. our conversations with residents. each with the Tories holding 4. The for rent control to bring down rock- 15 community centres.” This is be- Remember, if you’re against cuts, Of course it is best for Labour to collapse of the Lib Dems, who ran eting rents and investment in build- cause Gateshead’s Labour controlled sign up to TUSC! keep the conversation short - why ing affordable council housing got a council has sacked workers! Ryan Aldred get into any awkward conversations huge echo. In North Tyneside we stood can- about the services they’ve closed, We spoke to thousands of peo- didates but also worked alongside the jobs they’ve already cut or the ple on our rent control flashmobs, an independent socialist candidate. Salford hundreds of millions of pounds knocking on doors in our target Elaine Brunskill Across Salford 2,150 people voted worth of cuts they plan to make wards and leafleting at supermar- TUSC. Across the nine wards we over the next four years. If Labour in kets and schools. On all of these stood in (six of which TUSC had Lewisham continues with its plans, activities it was clear that the ma- Plymouth never stood in before) we received there won’t be much of a council left jority in Waltham Forest are sick of This is the first time that TUSC has 9.9% of the vote. In Little Hulton for them to run. the parties of big business and were undertaken such a huge campaign ward we came second. TUSC stood more widely than pleased to learn of an anti-cuts, in Plymouth, managing to stand We’ll be meeting on 28 May to talk we have done before with 12 candi- working class alternative. On our candidates across all 19 wards. 17 of about the results and discuss where dates in ten wards and Chris Flood final canvass, the night before the our candidates had never stood for next for TUSC in Salford. We need to for mayor. Chris received 1,354 election, someone said he would TUSC before. continue building and growing so votes in the mayoral contest and all definitely vote for us because we are With relatively small numbers on that there are 20 TUSC candidates bar three of our candidates gained saying what Labour leader Ed Mili- the ground, we have managed to standing in Salford in the 2015 local more than 150 votes. It is an excel- band should be saying but is too achieve 1,168 votes. With 19 can- elections. lent foundation to build on. scared to. didates and a modest number of Matt Kilsby We will continue to campaign On election day it was clear that supporters we’ve already in- against cuts, the bedroom tax, the campaign had made a mark - service closures, and local housing people enthusiastically wished us and all the other attacks on our Hugo Pierre good luck and told us that they had community. the council for eight years until or would vote for us. One Cheryl McLeod, Chris Flood and 1994, was quite spectacu- woman told us she was In James Kerr lar, as they fell behind so pleased she had Ukip and the Greens. Hillingdon: met us as she wasn’t Lutfur Rahman’s While we were sure what she was Tower Hamlets re-election opens up going to do at the In Tower Hamlets, east London, a new stormy chap- leafleting Northwood Hills ballot box or if she TUSC stood for the elected execu- ter in the borough, a young man came up to would even both- tive mayor and candidates in 13 not least how he will us and said: “Are you the er voting. wards. Some on the left argued be- deal with a gaping socialists? Then I’m We will now fore the election that we shouldn’t £80 million hole in have monthly stand because the independent the budget and a con- voting for you” TUSC committee mayor, Lutfur Rahman (standing tinuing and deepening meetings, open to any- during these elections as Tower social crisis. one who wants to help Hamlets First), is left-of-Labour. Our stand was a modest but suc- build TUSC in the area. We will The political background was ex- cessful start to place working class continue our campaign for rent plosive. Rahman was targeted by action, solidarity and socialism as a control in the borough – initially At the Sunderland count 10 reviews/letters join the socialists - www.socialistparty.org.uk 29 May - 4 June 2014 the Socialist

the Socialist postbag Why I didn’t rejoin Labour Do you have something to say? Send your news, views and criticism in not more than 150 words to Carl Harper Socialist Postbag, PO Box 24697, London E11 1YD, The Labour Party recently sent me an email asking me to rejoin Labour. I sent back or phone 020 8988 8771, email: [email protected]. this response: We reserve the right to shorten letters. Don’t forget to give your name, address and phone number. I originally joined the Labour othing would please rich and the collection of the es- party believing that as a mem- Confidentiality will be respected if requested. me more than to join a timated £120 billion of tax uncol- ber I would be able to influence “Nworkers’ party which was socialist lected mainly through evasion and ultimately prevent the move and represents the interests of the and avoidance? Of mice… Martin Powell-Davies, NUT to the right which has systemati- working class. However, I must Further to this, does the state- Michael Gove is a hated figure to any- national executive cally taken place since at least the ask questions about the leaflet ment also propose introducing a one who genuinely understands educa- mid-90s. I believed that the so- you sent outlining Labour’s Living Wage, a minimum of £8 an tion. However the news that Gove has cialist ideology upon which trade policies. hour, a 50% increase in the state insisted that classic American literature ….and Tories unions and socialists formed the It claims that Labour “will retirement pension and a 35-hour like Steinbeck’s ‘Of Mice and Men’, Ar- The personal interference of Michael party could be democratically re- freeze gas and energy bills until working week? Would Labour Gove as Education Secretary in what introduced from ‘the bottom up’ 2017”. Energy ‘controller’ Ofgem then also bring the top 150 or so can and cannot be taught in schools and reach the forefront of party says that dual fuel prices rose by companies, banks and energy is a gross abuse of his powers. By ban- policy. 24% between 2009 and 2012 and companies into public ownership ning the teaching of classic fiction Gove Unfortunately this belief was suppliers’ retail profits from £233 with democratic working class has revealed a level of pettiness on crushed by repeated neoliberal million in 2009 to £1.1 billion in control and management? what should contribute to learning un- policy announcements, the com- 2012, an increase of 372%. The leaflet says Labour will seen in the last 50 years. mitment to remain imprisoned Would “freezing bills until “ban letting agents from charging His philistinism shows him to be ideo- within the capitalist EU and the 2017” be an initial step to break- rip-off fees”. Does this mean a cap logically unsuited to holding any post in party distancing itself from the ing up the ‘Big Six’ energy firms on rents with a nationalised and/ education. The books are to be exclud- trade union movement in the and creating a nationalised ener- or council run letting agency and ed not because they are of poor quality, Collins Report. gy supplier with affordable prices a commitment to a programme lacking in meaning or compassion, or Labour conference saw the for all after 2017? of the mass building of affordable because they have no thematic signifi- overwhelming call from delegates On the NHS, the leaflet says housing? cance. They are banned because they for Labour to renationalise the Labour will “renew it for the 21st I welcome the claims that La- are American contributions to English Royal Mail. Labour’s leadership Century”. Does this statement bour will give working parents literature. denounced this motion shortly mean that the NHS will remain “25 hours of free childcare for kids Michael Gove has taken English edu- after, making a mockery of the de- publicly owned, with all parts pri- aged 3 and 4” and that they will cation to the edge of a pit where our mocracy of the party. Would you vatised under the Con-Dem gov- “scrap the bedroom tax”. Would history and culture is cast into flames commit to supporting the mo- ernment renationalised? there also be a commitment to tion and fully renationalising the And does this statement in- release funds to local councils for Michael Gove Royal Mail? clude an end to all PFI schemes the running of children’s centres? thur Miller’s ‘The Crucible’ and Harper The leaflet rightly condemns Finally, would you also commit Lee’s ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ must be in the future? Would all debt cre- - the government’s austerity agen- to reinstating Clause 4 of Labour’s dropped from the new English literature ated by past PFI schemes be writ da which has led to the ‘cost of liv- constitution, which was removed GCSE has angered teachers, parents ten off? Will assets sold off also be - ing’ increasing faster than wages. and paved the way for the trans and students. brought into public ownership? Does Labour therefore commit formation to a centre-right party? Of course not only are these books Does this statement also include to a democratic socialist plan of As your leaflet claims, Labour fantastically written and enjoyed by fully nationalised NHS council production based on the interests would indeed be ‘stronger’ with the young people who study them, services for elderly care and chil- of the overwhelming majority of people like me, working class so- they are also thought-provoking – and dren’s services? people and always use the RPI cialists, on its side. For me to con- of thoughts that perhaps Gove doesn’t The leaflet says Labour will index rather than CPI as a fairer sider rejoining your party I look want them to have. With The Crucible “help make work pay with a 10p measurement tool to ensure wag- forward to a positive response to perhaps Gove doesn’t want students rate of tax”. Will you also commit es match the ‘cost of living’. the issues I have raised.” to consider what life would be like in a to an increase in tax of the super- world where dissent became unlawful – perhaps better to ban such ‘satanic’ literature instead! My ‘demands’ went unanswered. In any case, I knew Labour would never meet them. It is a Gove’s narrow-minded act may prove clear indictment of Labour’s move to the right which led to me leaving and joining the Socialist another miscalculation. Books like this Party. have made an impact on many a young John Steinbeck person – and young people who are now parents. because it does not meet with the ap- Gove’s ignorant decision will help make proval of a reactionary demagogue with Get involved I’d like to join the Socialist Party o I’d like more information about the Socialist Party o crystal clear why teachers have to take the intellectual instincts of Martin Bor- action to stop the damage being inflict- mann. Donate I’d like to donate £ to the Socialist Party please make cheques payable to Socialist Party ed on education – and why we are call- Peter Flack, Assistant Secretary, ing on parents to support our struggle. City of Leicester NUT Subscribe 12 issues £15 o 6 months £28 o 1 year £50 o please make cheques payable to Socialist Publications Ltd Western Europe: 12 issues £16, half year £32, year £50 Rest of world: 12 issues £25, half year £50, year £90 Return slip or pay at www.socialistparty.org.uk/subscribe Name The Socialist Party’s Address and postcode magazine tel/email The May issue Return to: Socialist Party, PO Box 24697, London E11 1YD or phone 020 8988 8777 to pay by card, to arrange a direct debit, or to join. includes: Credit card No: Name: Start Date: Expiry Date: Security Code: Issue No: lThe struggle against poverty pay: 15 years of the minimum wage Judy Beishon lLabour and the ‘immigration The debate’ Election appeal – don’t delay! Case for Hannah Sell Socialism lHow a socialist won in Seattle Now is the time to pay any remain- - Why You Ramy Khalil ing pledges into the Socialist Party Should Join Election Appeal! £1 including £8,030 has been paid in so far, and postage £2.50 including postage: we have almost £7,000 to go. The Socialism Today appeal is to help pay for the TUSC Available PO Box 24697, London E11 1YD. challenge in the council and may- from Socialist Subscribe for £18 a year at oral elections, where Socialist Party Books, PO Box www.socialismtoday.org 24697, London, E11 1YD members and other TUSC candi- 020 8988 8789 dates won over 67,000 votes for a so- cialist alternative to austerity. The remainder will go to help pay Socialist Party World Cup 2014 for the No2EU election campaign, Fantasy League providing a trade union and work- ers’ alternative to Ukip, and for the Pick your dream squad for the greatest courageous challenge launched in football tournament on the planet. £5 South Africa by the Workers’ And waged £2 unwaged Socialist Party. Enamel Socialist Party badge £2.50 each, including postage. All proceeds to be divided between prize lThanks to: Dave Gorton £80, Phil Barnard £70, Helen and Mark Kerr and Bulk rate: £15 for 10, money and Socialist Party fighting fund other TUSC supporters in Stevenage £300, John and Alexis Edwards £50, (including postage). Entry forms can be obtained from David Hofman £40, Tower Hamlets branch £170, Waltham Forest branch Ring 020 8988 8782 or email [email protected] £160, Roger Bannister £110, Andrew Wilkins £25, Kevin Wilson £25, Leeds collection £25. [email protected] the Socialist 29 May - 4 June 2014 join the socialists - www.socialistparty.org.uk international 11

The Committee for a Victory for Modi in Indian election: Workers’ International The Committee for a Workers’ International (CWI) is the socialist But resistance will grow international organisation to which the Socialist Party is affiliated. Senan The CWI is organised in 45 (CWI) countries and works to unite the working class and oppressed peoples against global capitalism t the end of a five weeks and to fight for a socialist world. election process in India, For more details including CWI Narendra Modi will head publications write to: CWI, PO a government of the right- Box 3688, London E11 1YE. wing Hindu nationalist Bharatiya email [email protected] JanathaA Party (BJP). It gained the largest number of seats of any party (282 out of 543 seats). www.socialistworld.net But, in spite of all the hype, his party received only 31% of the pop- The CWI website contains ular vote. It also remains in a weak news, reports and analysis from position in the upper house of par- around the world. Recent articles liament (Lok Sahba) where the BJP include: and its allies have only 63 of the 250 seats. On a national basis, no other party managed to obtain more than 10% of the vote - the requirement to form an official opposition. The Congress Party, which has been in government for all but 18 years since independence, has no more support than some regional parties. It was reduced to a mere 44 seats nationwide and couldn’t man- age a double digit result in any state. Given their immersion in im- mense corruption scandals, their fall was expected. Thirteen out of the Egypt: Election of 15 Congress ministers who stood for The gap between rich and poor is growing in Inida almost faster than anywhere else in the world strongman al-Sisi - a re-election lost their seats. foregone conclusion Last year anti-corruption move- Modi overwhelmingly won the gress on the implementation of But, in the Indian context, it can ments, anti-nuclear moments, vote among young people, with the plans for a nuclear power plant, de- also be seen by some poor people Three years after 25 January women’s rights movements and majority citing job creation as the spite the proven health catastrophe and workers as a demonstration of a revolution, workers need various others emerged, as well as a motivating factor. But a significant for the people living in the area of principled stand. It further attracted independent unions and a general strike that involved over 100 number took a decisive step to re- Tamil Nadu. a number of campaigners who have workers’ party million workers. ject all the establishment political Having lost 13 seats (reduced played, or are a playing, a key part in organisations. to two) in its former stronghold of a number of significant local strug- David Johnson, Socialist Party Modi, however, is now hoping West Bengal, the CPI(M) can no gles such as that of the anti-nuclear (CWI, England and Wales) Economic growth to deliver a miracle with one of the longer claim national party status. movement in Koodankulam. The rhetoric about a ‘Shining India’, most-used tricks in the capital- In the name of ‘defending secular- The AAP performed relatively a ‘rising middle class’ and a return ist book – a privatisation offensive. ism’, they have often played second well, winning four seats in Punjab to 10% economic growth rates, as in Pro-capitalist economists are aware fiddle to the corrupted Congress and increasing its votes in Delhi the peak times of the Indian econ- of the potential for opposition from party. The CPI(M) never set out to (by 6%). It failed to secure much ex- omy, is now empty. A speeding up the disappointed masses. But they seriously challenge Congress. pected seats in Tamil Nadu and in in the country’s urbanisation did are warning Modi not to hesitate or There is therefore a massive po- Mumbai, but it has now emerged as create a small but significant well- employ ‘caution’, as the Congress litical vacuum, with no anti-capital- a significant anti-corruption party. to-do middle class during the boom government did. They are egging ist, anti-caste, anti-sectarian, pro- If the AAP fails to build on the times. But the most under-reported him on to bulldoze through his neo- working class voice. lessons learned, it is inevitable that story is the fall in the economic liberal agenda. they will be forced to compromise growth rate, now somewhere be- However, it is “mission impos- or split. tween 3% and 4%. sible” as the real economy slows Common Man The election has revealed the Huge hopes for a future of jobs and the buying power of the masses Tears of joy rolled from the eyes of mounting anger that is simmering and prosperity was created among continues to be eroded by inflation. the urban poor when the Common under the surface in the sub- youth in particular. A staggering More than 69% of the Indian popu- Man Party (AAP) scored a signifi- continent. 65% of the Indian population is un- lation are acutely poor. cant victory in Delhi earlier this year. The Left also needs to appeal to Turkey: Mass protests and der the age of 35. Half the popula- Modi is expected to use commu- Subsequent activities and demands the majority that did not take part strikes erupt against AKP tion is under 25. nal violence to supress any opposi- forced the Delhi police to effectively in the election, as well as those who government and mine- The young Indian masses had a tion and push through his attack on blockade roads and subways on sev- will quickly become disillusioned as owning cronies taste of a better life. But all the hope labour rights and pro-big business eral occasions in an attempt to ham- Modi’s mask slips, and call on them of this generation now hangs in the policies. Communal violence was per AAP activities. to step forward to form a mass or- Soma mine disaster deadliest in air as the impact of the world eco- orchestrated in Uttar Pradesh (UP) The AAP was attempting, if im- ganisation of workers, peasants and the country’s history nomic crisis is felt across India. Mil- state in the weeks before the elec- perfectly, to give expression to the poor. The vote for the Common Man lions of young people now entering tion which aided the consolidation Party, the AAP, was significant. But Socialistworld.net the job market will only find an ut- of the so-called ‘Hindu’ votes for the the AAP leadership has so far not terly bleak prospect. BJP. Given their immersion spelled out its plans for how it is Significantly, Dalit (“untoucha- planning to effect the change it says bles” caste) votes were won on a in immense is needed. ‘Hindu nationalist’ basis and by the corruption scandals, Left parties, such as the CPI(M) BJP drawing in some ‘Hindu’ Dalit and CPI, although their leaders have leaders. The result was that 73 out of their fall was damaged their reputation in the UP’s 80 seats fell to the BJP - up by a expected. Thirteen out past by not building fighting oppo- staggering 63 seats. sition to the Congress-led neoliberal The potential for further riots and of the 15 Congress offensive, could change their tactics attacks on religious minorities in too. An appeal should be made to places like UP and Bihar cannot be ministers who stood all serious activists - in the existing ruled out. for re-election lost parties, in the unions, in the com- In India, the so-called Marxist munity and resistance campaigns - parties such as the ‘communist’ their seats to look at how mass resistance can CPI(M) and the CPI have failed be prepared. grossly. They collaborated with, and aspirations of workers and ordinary The habit of calling ritual strikes China: What lies behind the acted to create a soft cushion for, people for a decent life and a politi- must end. Instead, the enormous anti-corruption drive? the Congress-led offensive against cal voice, free of corruption. potential power of the working class workers’ rights, democratic rights But the whole AAP cabinet in - which strikes can most effectively Case against former security czar and national rights. Delhi resigned after 49 days to ‘keep demonstrate - must be mobilised risks dangerous splits in ruling These parties maintained a crimi- their reputation intact for the com- properly. On that basis, an all-India party nal silence in the face of the massive ing election’. This resignation was 24-hour general strike would pre- corruption scandals. An effigy of the attacked as a ‘stunt’ to secure a ‘na- pare the way for building up the Editorial from Socialist CPI(M) leaders was burnt by anti- tional profile’ and the leaders of the kind of mass workers’ movement magazine, CWI nuclear protesters in Koodanku- AAP now admit that it was a mistake that will be necessary to defeat the lam. The CPI(M) leaders had stood to give away the responsibility they vicious anti-working class pro- Narendra Modi shoulder-to-shoulder with Con- had so recently taken on. gramme of the Modi government. 12 www.socialistparty.org.uk 29 November - 5 December 2012 the Socialist£1 Solidarity price £2 29 May - 4 June 2014 the Socialist Issue 812 Unemployment Kills Fight for jobs - fight for a future Clare Laker-Mansfield employers who failed to even sup- fightback, by young people working Youth Fight for Jobs (YFJ) ply him with a courteous response. alongside trade unionists, socialists For hundreds of thousands of and other campaigners, can chal- young people this familiar process lenge the cuts consensus and help he heart-breaking story of is no doubt made even more dif- secure a decent future for the ‘99%’. 20 year old Martin Hadfield, ficult by smug, privileged pro-cap- Youth Fight for Jobs is helping to who tragically took his own italist politicians joining the right- build this fight and to organise un- life following months strug- wing press in a relentless campaign employed young people to demand gling to find work, is a shocking re- of myth-making about unemployed their right to work. We say not one minderT of the real lives broken by a ‘scroungers’. Perhaps this kind of single young person should be left system that offers so many so little rhetoric played a part in Martin’s on the scrap heap. The cold cruelty hope. decision not to claim any benefits of the Con-Dems leaves many thou- The human cost of nearly one mil- while out of work. sands facing despair. But hope can lion young people unemployed can This human tragedy was the fault come in fighting to change society. never be fully expressed in the form of an inhuman capitalist system. But We say: of cold numbers. As Martin’s step- any economic system which sees lPrevent job losses. Stop public dad eloquently put it: “He was never such vast accumulation of wealth sector cuts a statistic to us”. for a few, while it presides over the lBailout workers not bankers. Britain’s out of work youth are real wasting of the skills and talents of Nationalise big industries people, with real hopes and dreams. so many young people, does not de- threatened with closure or large- Each of them is an individual with serve its continued existence. scale job losses unique potential - with talents, skills The solution to youth unemploy- lShare out the work. For a 35-hour and energy they’re desperate to use. ment is not ever harsher and more working week with no loss of pay. It is both a tragedy and an outrage punitive treatment of those who are No increase in retirement age that so much of what this generation out of work; it’s the creation of mil- lFor government investment in has to offer is being criminally laid lions of secure, well-paid socially well-paid socially useful jobs with to waste. useful jobs - jobs that can provide full trade union rights for workers Just like for the vast majority of the foundation for stable and happy lFor a massive public programme those who find themselves out of lives for the next generation, as well of house building, renovation and work, laziness was never a factor in as homes and services for those who infrastructure projects Martin failing to find a job. A trained need them. lScrap workfare and all unpaid gardener, he became unemployed Not one of the mainstream politi- work schemes when the firm he worked for cal parties currently offers us that. lFor secure jobs with guaranteed downsized. For young people facing unem- hours – scrap zero-hour contracts Next he found himself faced with ployment - anger, frustration, stress lA living wage that’s enough to the demoralising task of sending and even despair can be normal live on – fight for a £10 an hour out applications and CVs - only to responses to the bleak prospects minimum wage and no youth be knocked back by rejections and austerity offers. But a concerted exemptions Youth Fight for Jobs on the march photo Paul Mattsson

What we stand for  Free, publicly run, good quality education, available unions, democratically controlled by their members. New workers’ party to all at any age. Abolish university tuition fees now Full-time union officials to be regularly elected and  For a new mass workers’ party drawing together The Socialist Party fights for socialism – a and introduce a living grant. No to academies and receive no more than a worker’s wage. Support the workers, young people and activists from workplace, democratic society run for the needs of all and ‘Free schools’! National Shop Stewards Network. community, environmental and anti-war campaigns, not the profits of a few. We also oppose every cut,  A socialist NHS to provide for everyone’s  A maximum 35-hour week with no loss of pay. to provide a fighting, political alternative to the pro-big fighting in our day-to-day campaigning for every health needs – free at the point of use and under Environment business parties. possible improvement for working class people. The democratic control. Kick out private contractors!  Major research and investment into replacing  Trade unions to disaffiliate from the Labour Party organised working class has the potential power to  Keep council housing publicly owned. For a fossil fuels with renewable energy and into ending now and aid the building of a new workers’ party! stop the cuts and transform society. massive building programme of publicly owned the problems of early obsolescence and un-recycled Support the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition as As capitalism dominates the globe, the struggle for housing, on an environmentally sustainable basis, to waste. an important step towards this. genuine socialism must be international. provide good quality homes with low rents.  Public ownership of the energy generating Socialism and internationalism The Socialist Party is part of the Committee Work and income industries. No to nuclear power. No to Trident.  No to imperialist wars and occupations. Withdraw for a Workers’ International (CWI), a socialist  Trade union struggle to increase the minimum wage  A democratically planned, low fare, publicly owned the troops immediately from Afghanistan! international that organises in 45 countries. to £8 an hour without exemptions as an immediate transport system, as part of an overall plan against  Tax the super-rich! For a socialist government to Our demands include: step towards £10 an hour. For an annual increase in environmental pollution. take into public ownership the top 150 companies Public services the minimum wage linked to average earnings. Rights and the banking system that dominate the British  No to ALL cuts in jobs, pay, public services and  All workers, including part-timers, temps, casual  Oppose discrimination on the grounds of race, economy, and run them under democratic working benefits. Defend our pensions. and migrant workers to have trade union rates of pay, sex, disability, sexuality, age, and all other forms of class control and management. Compensation to  No to privatisation and the Private Finance employment protection, and sickness and holiday prejudice. be paid only on the basis of proven need. Initiative (PFI). Renationalise all privatised utilities and rights from day one of employment.  Repeal all laws that trample over civil liberties. For  A democratic socialist plan of production based services, with compensation paid only on the basis of  An immediate 50% increase in the state retirement the right to protest! End police harassment. on the interests of the overwhelming majority proven need. pension, as a step towards a living pension.  Defend abortion rights. For a woman’s right to of people, and in a way that safeguards the  Fully fund all services and run them under  Reject ‘Workfare’. For the right to decent benefits, choose when and whether to have children. environment. accountable, democratic committees that include education, training, or a job, without compulsion.  For the right to asylum. No to racist immigration  No to the bosses’ neoliberal European Union! For a representatives of service workers and users.  Scrap the anti-trade union laws! For fighting trade laws. socialist Europe and a socialist world!