EDIT: Following the vote for airstrikes, tonight's meeting will be even more significant - what can Stop the War do in Derby?
And a reminder that the national climate change demonstration in London is tomorrow - get there if you can!
This is the blog of the Derby branch of the SWP.
Saturday 28 November 2015
Update #77
This is much briefer than usual - it will be edited later. For now, just briefly - next week's meeting:
EDIT: Following the vote for airstrikes, tonight's meeting will be even more significant - what can Stop the War do in Derby?
And a reminder that the national climate change demonstration in London is tomorrow - get there if you can!
EDIT: Following the vote for airstrikes, tonight's meeting will be even more significant - what can Stop the War do in Derby?
And a reminder that the national climate change demonstration in London is tomorrow - get there if you can!
Sunday 22 November 2015
Update #76
Hello everyone,
Welcome to this week's update from Derby Socialist Workers Party. What's going on? Find out below!
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.
In the wake of the killings in Paris and the attempts of the right both within and without the ruling class to stir up anti-Islamic sentiment and justify a further drive to the wars that created ISIS in the first place, we have decided to change our next branch meeting to:
After Paris killings: no to racism and war.
What should our response to these events be? How can we prevent a drive towards racism and war from the right and the ruling class? Join the discussion and help plan our course of action!
Thursday November 26th, 7 pm, West End Community Centre.
All welcome. See you there!
It is becoming ever more clear that the ruling classes of the world, left to their own devices, will simply work in the short-term interests of their class - and that means untold destruction for the climate and the lives of millions, if not billions of people. There is another way: join the campaign for climate, justice and jobs. There is at least one coach going to London on the demonstration on the 29th November.
This has become even more vital as the French authorities have used the horror of the murders as a fig leaf to ban the demonstration planned for the 12th December.
Join us in London on the 29th!
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!
Welcome to this week's update from Derby Socialist Workers Party. What's going on? Find out below!
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.
In the wake of the killings in Paris and the attempts of the right both within and without the ruling class to stir up anti-Islamic sentiment and justify a further drive to the wars that created ISIS in the first place, we have decided to change our next branch meeting to:
After Paris killings: no to racism and war.
What should our response to these events be? How can we prevent a drive towards racism and war from the right and the ruling class? Join the discussion and help plan our course of action!
Thursday November 26th, 7 pm, West End Community Centre.
Junior doctors petitioning in Derby
On Saturday some of Derby's junior doctors held an outstanding petition in the city centre, collecting signatures from the public to support their imminent strike action. Some comrades were there - see our report on the blog here.The People's March for Climate, Justice and Jobs
It is becoming ever more clear that the ruling classes of the world, left to their own devices, will simply work in the short-term interests of their class - and that means untold destruction for the climate and the lives of millions, if not billions of people. There is another way: join the campaign for climate, justice and jobs. There is at least one coach going to London on the demonstration on the 29th November.
This has become even more vital as the French authorities have used the horror of the murders as a fig leaf to ban the demonstration planned for the 12th December.
Join us in London on the 29th!
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!
Solidarity With Junior Doctors
On our campaign stall we also collected signatures to support them and presented them to the doctors to add to their collection. Comrades' support was warmly received by doctors present and it was generally a really positive event that showed what unity can achieve.
The strike ballot was really impressive. It would have allowed national action even under the Tories' new laws that attempt to repress trades unionists and suppress our efforts to take action to defend ourselves. At last week's Unite the Resistance conference, junior doctor and BMA activist Yannis Gourtsoyannis spoke to explain the reasons for the action and the urgent need for solidarity:
The campaign was very popular with the public and at times there were queues to sign and take support selfies for Twitter. Unless the DoH backs down, the junior doctors' plan of strike action is as follows:
- Emergency care only – 8am, Tuesday 1 to 8am Wednesday 2 December 2015
- Full withdrawal of junior doctors' labour – 8am to 5pm, Tuesday 8 December 2015
- Full withdrawal of junior doctors' labour – 8am to 5pm, Wednesday 16 December 2015
It is important for comrades to show solidarity on picket lines if at all possible - details will be posted on the blog as soon as they are known.
This fight is only the latest provoked by the Tories as they seek to dismantle our public services in order to open them up to be run for profit - it is not enough for them that working people are paying for the crisis they and their class caused by having our wages held down, epidemics of underemployment and the cutting of the services which we rely on, they want themselves and their cronies to be able to profit from whatever services we are able to use. This is a fight that needs our full support - it will be a real victory for working people across the country and expose the weakness of this nasty party that managed to get the support of less than a quarter of the population in the election this year.
Wednesday 18 November 2015
Change to next week's branch meeting
Change to next week's branch meeting
In the wake of the killings in Paris and the attempts of the right both within and without the ruling class to stir up anti-Islamic sentiment and justify a further drive to the wars that created ISIS in the first place, we have decided to change our next branch meeting to:
After Paris killings, no to racism and war.
What should our response to these events be? How can we prevent a drive towards racism and war from the right and the ruling class? Join the discussion and help plan our course of action!
Thursday November 26th, 7 pm, West End Community Centre.
All welcome. See you there!
In the wake of the killings in Paris and the attempts of the right both within and without the ruling class to stir up anti-Islamic sentiment and justify a further drive to the wars that created ISIS in the first place, we have decided to change our next branch meeting to:
After Paris killings, no to racism and war.
What should our response to these events be? How can we prevent a drive towards racism and war from the right and the ruling class? Join the discussion and help plan our course of action!
Thursday November 26th, 7 pm, West End Community Centre.
Sunday 15 November 2015
Update #74
Hello everyone,
Welcome to this week's update from Derby Socialist Workers Party. What's going on? Find out below!
The horrific murders in Paris were a shock to everyone. Yesterday was a day of intense sorrow and sympathy for the victims of these awful attacks.
Unfortunately the reality is that the right will attempt to use these deaths for their own vile ends. The SWP has put out a statement following these events - read it here.
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.
This week is our district aggregate, open to members only. Public meetings resume the following week.
Next public meeting:
As revolutionary socialists we are committed not just to equality, which can simply mean equality of oppression, but liberation. Our next meeting will be:
From post-feminism to the new sexism - how can we fight for women's liberation?
Thursday November 26th, 7 pm, West End Community Centre.
All welcome. See you there!
It is becoming ever more clear that the ruling classes of the world, left to their own devices, will simply work in the short-term interests of their class - and that means untold destruction for the climate and the lives of millions, if not billions of people. There is another way: join the campaign for climate, justice and jobs. There is at least one coach going to London on the demonstration on the 29th November ahead of the Paris climate conference. Join us!
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!
Welcome to this week's update from Derby Socialist Workers Party. What's going on? Find out below!
After Paris - SWP Statement
The horrific murders in Paris were a shock to everyone. Yesterday was a day of intense sorrow and sympathy for the victims of these awful attacks.
Unfortunately the reality is that the right will attempt to use these deaths for their own vile ends. The SWP has put out a statement following these events - read it here.
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.
This week is our district aggregate, open to members only. Public meetings resume the following week.
Next public meeting:
As revolutionary socialists we are committed not just to equality, which can simply mean equality of oppression, but liberation. Our next meeting will be:
From post-feminism to the new sexism - how can we fight for women's liberation?
Thursday November 26th, 7 pm, West End Community Centre.
Unite The Resistance - national conference
Fantastic conference on Saturday - see our blog post here for a roundup.The People's March for Climate, Justice and Jobs
It is becoming ever more clear that the ruling classes of the world, left to their own devices, will simply work in the short-term interests of their class - and that means untold destruction for the climate and the lives of millions, if not billions of people. There is another way: join the campaign for climate, justice and jobs. There is at least one coach going to London on the demonstration on the 29th November ahead of the Paris climate conference. Join us!
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!
Unite The Resistance 2015
 |
| Unite The Resistance pamphlets are available from us - come to our branch meetings or find us on St Peter's St at our campaign stalls Saturdays from 12 pm! |
This Saturday was the annual conference of Unite The Resistance (UTR). UTR is a united front organisation that aims to bring together trades union activists to fight austerity and the divisive, bullying Tory government. The conference shares success stories, perspectives on the Tory attacks on the working class and how to fight it.
I always look forward immensely to the UTR conference. There are lots of organisations which oppose austerity, and which we as a party are proud to be a part of, such as the People's Assembly and TUSC. What makes UTR special is that it offers us not only a concrete and powerful way to build an effective fightback, being based where our class has power - in the workplaces, but also welcome success stories. It can be easy to believe, if you rely on the mainstream media coverage for your news, that strikes are rare and ineffective, but in fact there have been some fantastic examples of solidarity and victories from across the various sectors of the economy. UTR is also a great way to learn about ongoing fights and how to support them.
Morning Session
Yesterday we heard from Candy Unwin and Sandy Nicholl, victimised reps who won reinstatement because of solid support from their members. Candy was one of the leaders of the fantastic strike at the National Gallery, which won significant victories in their battle with management against privatisation, and Sandy's colleagues took unauthorised strike action that had their management at SOAS backtracking almost immediately. Conference also sent support to Andrew Mootoo, victimised rep at Royal Mail in Bridgwater, whose managers again are frantically retreating after wildcat action when they attempted to sack him.
Speakers were from across the trades union movement, but there were also comrades from campaigning organisations such as DPAC (Disabled People Against the Cuts) (amazing speech - IDS should be very afraid of DPAC!) and political parties (most notably Natalie Bennett, the Green Party leader, who gave an excellent speech).
John Burgess, candidate for UNISON General Secretary, was brilliant about the need to fight the bill and break the law collectively.
Don't let them divide us
Of course, the horrific events of Friday in Paris cast a pall over proceedings. Conference began with a statement of solidarity with the victims and many speakers also offered statements of support, particularly Natalie Bennett of the Green Party. The Shadow Chancellor, John McDonnell, who is a longtime supporter of UTR and was scheduled to speak was unable to attend as the Shadow Cabinet were in session following the attacks. The SWP has put out an excellent statement in response to the murders, which you can read here. After the initial session I and some other local comrades attended a session which we thought was especially relevant that day: Don't let them divide us.
This session included speakers on the Prevent agenda and the Justice for Cleaners campaign as well as the general drive by the Tories and other elements within the ruling class, particularly the right wing media, to use racist bile against Muslims and migrants to divide our class wherever they can.
I was struck by the Justice for Cleaners campaigner, who spoke of the ways that bosses try to divide migrant workers, trying to pit 'documented' against 'undocumented' and Spanish against Latin American. This is the kind of hatred upon which the bosses thrive.
Afternoon Session
In the final session we heard from speakers on the environment and climate (or as David Cameron calls it: 'green crap') and the People's March for Climate, Justice and Jobs on the 29th November in London. From Derby there will be at least one coach going to this vital demonstration - come if you can!
For me there were two particular highlights of the afternoon session. The first was the speaker from the BMA who spoke very well on the dispute between junior doctors and the Department for Health.
He got a well-deserved standing ovation in his call for solidarity and his promise of solidarity in return.
Finally, Ian Hodson of the bakers' union BFAWU, who I always look forward to. He is a passionate and animated speaker, and I will remember particularly two lines. The first from the fallout when he compared Cameron's policies towards trades unions to Hitler's: "if you don't want to be compared to a fascist dictator, don't use policies out of Mein Kampf!" The second was one of my favourites, and I know one of his (it's not the first time he's used it :) ) and it's from Nye Bevan, architect of the NHS:
Sunday 8 November 2015
Update #73
Hello everyone,
Welcome to this week's update from Derby Socialist Workers Party. What's going on? Find out below!
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.
This week - the second part of our mini-series on the Russian Revolution of 1917:
after the incredible birth of the workers' republic in 1917, the cause of a revolution in rights not only in the workplace but in education, rights for women, LGBT people, religious groups and self-determination for the conquered peoples of the Russian Empire, what went wrong with the Russian Revolution? How was mass workers' democracy overthrown by Stalinist tyranny? Thursday 12th November, 7 pm.
Lecturers in FE Colleges across the country will be out on strike on Tuesday 10th November. Lecturers in FE have seen large real-term reductions in pay over the last few years and now employers are refusing any pay rise at all.
There will be pickets at the Joseph Wright Centre and the Roundhouse - show support on the pickets if you can or send support messages to the UCU regional secretary alanbarker764@gmail.com
There will be a candlelit vigil outside the Royal Hospital in support of junior doctors, who are balloting for industrial action. Junior doctors are the latest group of workers in the NHS to come under assault from the Tories - and they are mounting a serious fightback, including an amazing demo in London recently.
Show you support our doctors and the NHS - join the People's Assembly, 38 Degrees, SWP comrades and others from 5 - 6 pm on Wendesday 11th November!
If you haven't seen our report on the brilliant demonstration last week, our blog post is here.
On Saturday November 14th it will be the national conference of Unite the Resistance, an organisation aiming to unite activists and workers from across the country. It is an opportunity to debate the national situation, hear success stories from workers who have organised to defend themselves from attacks by the bosses and the Tories, and share ideas. There will be some fantastic speakers, including John McDonnell, shadow Chancellor; Candy Unwin, the rep at the National Gallery whose colleagues have recently fought a successful all-out strike action, and Natalie Bennett, leader of the Green Party.
There will be a number of people going to the conference, so we would like to help organise transport if possible. Please get in touch at derbyswp@gmail.com if you are interested in sharing a car down.
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!
Welcome to this week's update from Derby Socialist Workers Party. What's going on? Find out below!
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.
This week - the second part of our mini-series on the Russian Revolution of 1917:
after the incredible birth of the workers' republic in 1917, the cause of a revolution in rights not only in the workplace but in education, rights for women, LGBT people, religious groups and self-determination for the conquered peoples of the Russian Empire, what went wrong with the Russian Revolution? How was mass workers' democracy overthrown by Stalinist tyranny? Thursday 12th November, 7 pm.
Solidarity with Striking Lecturers
Lecturers in FE Colleges across the country will be out on strike on Tuesday 10th November. Lecturers in FE have seen large real-term reductions in pay over the last few years and now employers are refusing any pay rise at all.
There will be pickets at the Joseph Wright Centre and the Roundhouse - show support on the pickets if you can or send support messages to the UCU regional secretary alanbarker764@gmail.com
Support Junior Doctors - Candlelit Vigil
There will be a candlelit vigil outside the Royal Hospital in support of junior doctors, who are balloting for industrial action. Junior doctors are the latest group of workers in the NHS to come under assault from the Tories - and they are mounting a serious fightback, including an amazing demo in London recently.
Show you support our doctors and the NHS - join the People's Assembly, 38 Degrees, SWP comrades and others from 5 - 6 pm on Wendesday 11th November!
Demonstration by School Support Staff - Wednesday 4th October
If you haven't seen our report on the brilliant demonstration last week, our blog post is here.
Unite The Resistance - national conference
On Saturday November 14th it will be the national conference of Unite the Resistance, an organisation aiming to unite activists and workers from across the country. It is an opportunity to debate the national situation, hear success stories from workers who have organised to defend themselves from attacks by the bosses and the Tories, and share ideas. There will be some fantastic speakers, including John McDonnell, shadow Chancellor; Candy Unwin, the rep at the National Gallery whose colleagues have recently fought a successful all-out strike action, and Natalie Bennett, leader of the Green Party.
There will be a number of people going to the conference, so we would like to help organise transport if possible. Please get in touch at derbyswp@gmail.com if you are interested in sharing a car down.
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!
Thursday 5 November 2015
Loud and angry demonstration outside Council House
UNISON called its second demonstration against the severe attacks on school support staff by the Labour-led Derby City Council last night.
With some teaching assistants facing up to 25% wage cuts the mood was angry and noisy.
There was a lot of support from the public as car horns joined the shouts, whistles and chants of demonstrators.
UNISON were supported by a solidarity delegation from the NUT and the local People's Assembly as well as comrades from the SWP.
An unexpected development was the presence of the Derby North Labour Party banner (which bore the face of Jeremy Corbyn) even as the Labour council tries to push through these pay cuts.
With some teaching assistants facing up to 25% wage cuts the mood was angry and noisy.
There was a lot of support from the public as car horns joined the shouts, whistles and chants of demonstrators.
UNISON were supported by a solidarity delegation from the NUT and the local People's Assembly as well as comrades from the SWP.
An unexpected development was the presence of the Derby North Labour Party banner (which bore the face of Jeremy Corbyn) even as the Labour council tries to push through these pay cuts.
Monday 2 November 2015
Update #72
Hello everyone,
Welcome to this week's update from Derby Socialist Workers Party. What's going on? Find out below!
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.
This week we have the first in a two-part series on the Russian Revolution of 1917.
The Russian Revolution is the only successful socialist revolution so far - how did it happen and why do we celebrate it? Dave Hayes, who gave a talk at the Marxism Festival this year on the topic will address the meeting and it's sure to lead to a great discussion. Come down and join us!
Next week it's the second part - what went wrong with the Russian Revolution? How was mass workers' democracy overthrown by Stalinist tyranny? Thursday 12th November, 7 pm.
Last month's demonstration by school support staff in the face of unprecedented attacks on pay and terms of employment was loud, angry, massive and hugely supported by the public. UNISON have called a second demonstration outside the Council House for this week - Wednesday 4th October at 5 pm.
Show solidarity with support staff!
On Saturday November 14th it will be the national conference of Unite the Resistance, an organisation aiming to unite activists and workers from across the country. It is an opportunity to debate the national situation, hear success stories from workers who have organised to defend themselves from attacks by the bosses and the Tories, and share ideas. There will be some fantastic speakers, including John McDonnell, shadow Chancellor; Candy Unwin, the rep at the National Gallery whose colleagues have recently fought a successful all-out strike action, and Natalie Bennett, leader of the Green Party.
There will be a number of people going to the conference, so we would like to help organise transport if possible. Please get in touch at derbyswp@gmail.com if you are interested in sharing a car down.
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!
Welcome to this week's update from Derby Socialist Workers Party. What's going on? Find out below!
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.
This week we have the first in a two-part series on the Russian Revolution of 1917.
The Russian Revolution is the only successful socialist revolution so far - how did it happen and why do we celebrate it? Dave Hayes, who gave a talk at the Marxism Festival this year on the topic will address the meeting and it's sure to lead to a great discussion. Come down and join us!
Demonstration by School Support Staff - Wednesday 4th October
Last month's demonstration by school support staff in the face of unprecedented attacks on pay and terms of employment was loud, angry, massive and hugely supported by the public. UNISON have called a second demonstration outside the Council House for this week - Wednesday 4th October at 5 pm.
Show solidarity with support staff!
Unite The Resistance - national conference
On Saturday November 14th it will be the national conference of Unite the Resistance, an organisation aiming to unite activists and workers from across the country. It is an opportunity to debate the national situation, hear success stories from workers who have organised to defend themselves from attacks by the bosses and the Tories, and share ideas. There will be some fantastic speakers, including John McDonnell, shadow Chancellor; Candy Unwin, the rep at the National Gallery whose colleagues have recently fought a successful all-out strike action, and Natalie Bennett, leader of the Green Party.
There will be a number of people going to the conference, so we would like to help organise transport if possible. Please get in touch at derbyswp@gmail.com if you are interested in sharing a car down.
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!
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