Jeremy Corbyn in Derby

On Tuesday, Jeremy Corbyn came to Derby to hold a rally. It was a big success, getting hundreds of people out in the middle of the day in a working week.

 Jeremy and the other speakers spoke about the need to end austerity, scrap the anti-trade union laws, involve workers in the running of industry, renationalise the railways and free education from the grip of the market.

All these would represent real gains for the working class in this country and we wholly support Corbyn in trying to achieve these aims. He also represents growing confidence in the working class and a combative mood to take on neoliberal capitalism.

In the SWP we support Jeremy. We absolutely support him and the policies that he represents against the right-wing Parliamentary Labour Party coup which would represent very few members of the party, offer very little in gains for the working class and  do nothing for the confidence of workers to challenge the bosses and the ruling class.

However, we do not think that Corbynomics offers any serious challenge to the capitalist system and do not think that parliamentary politics is an effective substitute for working class self-emancipation. Corbyn's election offers the prospect of real improvements in workers' lives, which is why we support him, but is not itself going to resolve the problems created by the system under which we live. For more detail on this position, there have been several articles in recent issues of Socialist Worker, Socialist Review and the International Socialism Journal. A good overview by Alex Callinicos is here: Two Faces of Reformism.

Somewhere between 800 and 1000 people came out to hear a progressive, inclusive, anti-racist message and there was clearly a lot of enthusiasm for Corbyn's politics. It's a great indication of the will to fight back against the Tories and the desire for a better world for all of us.

There was also a stall from the Stand Up To Racism campaign which is growing well in the city. It was fantastic to be at another large, inclusive event in the city alongside other anti-racist campaigners where broad anti-racist politics are welcome.

We will be discussing Corbyn and the Labour Party at our next public meeting on Thursday 8th September, 7 pm, West End Community Centre, Mackworth Road, Derby (next to Britannia Mill). It's the burning question for everyone on the left so bring your voice to the debate!