Update #61

Hello everyone,
Welcome to the fightback against the Tories - here's your guide to the political week in Derby!

Branch Meetings

The SWP is a party of activists who know that we need to understand the world to be effective in our actions. Our meetings have a discussion about key issues: economic, political, historical and cultural; as well as planning for events and activities.


Last night's discussion of the horrific death toll of migrants attempting to enter the EU was informative and although the subject matter was grim there was a lot to talk about. We hope to have the text of the speech available on the blog shortly.

Next week's meeting, on Thursday 21st May, will be especially important for any political activist - or anyone who wants to take action to stop the Tories as they try to bring back fox hunting and hanging, remove legal aid, harass more people on benefits to suicide, drive more families to the point where they need food banks and scrap human rights legislation, prevent trades union members from striking (and no doubt we will see more attacks on abortion rights, the democratic choices of the Scottish people, and race-baiting anti-immigration rhetoric along the way).

We will have a guest speaker from the SWP Central Committee, our senior decision-making body, to discuss strategy for the left as this weak but exceptionally vicious Tory government takes office. Fighting racism and austerity - where next after the elections? Thursday May 21st 7 pm, West End Community Centre.

The following week we will have a more cultural focus as our speaker will look at the heyday of social realist 'kitchen sink' drama and the Angry Young Men. Did they want to change the world, or reluctantly surrender to post-war capitalism's long boom? Come down and find out (or tell us!) Accommodation or Revolution? Kitchen Sink Drama and the Angry Young Men, Thursday 28th May, 7 pm, West End Community Centre.

Derby Stand Up To UKIP

We are proud to have taken an active part in campaigning against UKIP in the run-up to the elections. Although there was an upswing in UKIP support in the parliamentary elections, this was below the national average and they gained no councillors. The SWP has a proud tradition of working alongside others to achieve a common goal, and we look forward to working with anyone who opposes the anti-working class, anti-migrant, misogynistic, homophobic and racist populism of UKIP in future campaigns.

Go all out for June 20!

Tens of thousands of people have already signed up for the June 20th People's Assembly demonstration in London. The People's Assembly is a national anti-austerity movement in which the SWP takes an active part. This demonstration will be an opportunity for the 76% of us who didn't vote for the Tories to let our opposition be known, and begin to organise for a renewed fightback against the Tories and the politics of austerity.

Join the demonstration - book your place on the coach today! 

The Derby Trades Council has booked a coach leaving from bays 26-28 of the Bus Station at 8 am on Saturday June 20th.
It is free to unwaged and a donation of £5 is requested for waged.
To book your place email mozgreenshields@gmail.com or text 07889 274 723

As part of the People's Assembly campaign, the People's Assembly in Derby is holding a 'lively leafleting' session at 11 am at the statue of the Ram in Derby city centre this Saturday, 16th May. Join it if you can!

Can't make our meetings?

If you want to find out more about us, meet some of our comrades, sign up to any of our petitions, find out about campaigns we are involved in, buy our paper or get hold of some of our other literature, why not come along to the campaign stall on Saturdays?

Find us on St Peter's St from 12 pm!

(NB this Saturday there will be no stall due to commitments with Derby Against UKIP. Normal stall place and time next week!)