Dates for Activists

Hello comrades!

It's been a busy time, with trade union activity, anti racism work and our own branch meetings.

Here is a bit of a round up of what we've been doing, and what's coming up

April

A number of us were delegates to NUT national conference, where there was much anger about the changes being made to education, especially the chronic and systematic underfunding of schools. Teachers made the decision to take a stand against funding cuts, selective education and the regime of testing in primary schools.

20th April meeting saw us discussing the crisis in capitalism with Joseph Choonara. He talked about his findings from his recent book, and we discussed the way global capitalism is regularly in crisis, how it shifts around money (and debt) to prop up the system, and how we can help to mobilise the working class to gain in confidence and fight back.

27th April- Branch Meeting

To give us the opportunity to discuss our thoughts about the General Election, and what we want to be doing during the campaign.

Join us on Thursday 27th April at 7 pm, at the West End Community Centre, Mackworth Road, Derby.

Tuesday 25th April -  SOS NHS local organising meeting

An opportunity to share ideas and see how you can get involved in the campaign. Town Centre venue, 6pm. Please contact us for more info.

May

Tuesday 2nd May - Stand up to Racism 

How do we keep racism out of the general election?

Come along and share your ideas - get involved in this important campaign. How can we follow the example set in Birmingham, of standing up to the far right, and what can we do to oppose the racism that we might expect to see in the election campaign?

For details of time and venue, please contact us.

Saturday 27th May - The Silk Mill Turn Out

Derby's annual celebration of worker fight back and trade unionism.

July
Festival of Marxism
Don't forget to get your tickets for this excellent event, bringing together activists from around the country and internationally with some great speakers on a ranged of issues, activism and political theory.
Visit the website www.marxismfestival.org.uk for more details.
 If you'd like to go but might struggle to pay, please let us know - we can help with the cost.

Our meeting venue, for SWP Branch Meetings: West End Community Centre, Derby



You can find us on Facebook, or contact us on branchsec@derbyswp.org.uk

Dates For The Big Red Diary

Hello comrades!

2016 isn't yet over, but lots is going to be happening in 2017 for everyone who opposes oppression and exploitation and wants to drive back the right in and out of parliament!

There are going to be plenty more events going on, but here are some you'll want to be sure you don't miss!

January

3rd - Action For Rail have called a national day of action, as on the 1st January new rises in rail fares will be announced. This comes against a backdrop of strikes as the RMT act to defend the safety of the railways in Liverpool and the South East.

12th - SWP Meeting: Prospects for Socialist in 2017, including report back from national conference. This is likely to be a members-only meeting, please email branchsec@derbyswp.org.uk for more information.

26th - SWP Meeting:

How can we beat Trump?

After the solidarity protest against the inauguration of Trump on 20th January in London, this meeting is essential to help us navigate an increasingly polarised capitalist world.

Join us on Thursday 26th January at 7 pm, at the West End Community Centre, Mackworth Road, Derby.

February

4th - Stand Up To Racism Trades Union Conference
It's vitally important that active trades unionists are also active anti-racists as our rulers attempt to whip up hatred between groups of workers. Get yourself down to the national Stand Up To Racism Trades Union Conference at Hamilton House in London!

March

4th - Save Our NHS National Demonstration, London
18th - National Stand Up To Racism demonstration - celebrate UN Anti-Racism Day!

Update #92

This entry has been updated to reflect changes in the next public meeting.

A short update this week, to let you know about our next branch meeting in September.

Public Meeting

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.

We are pleased to announce that our next meeting will be an

East Midlands SWP Joint Meeting!

Wednesday 31st August

7 pm

International Community Centre, 61b Mansfield Road, NG1 3FN.

Our guest speaker will be Joseph Choonara, a leading member of the Socialist Workers Party. This is sure to be a big and exciting event - see you there!

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!

Update #89

Hello everyone,
Welcome to this week's update from Derby Socialist Workers Party.

In this week's update:

• Next branch meeting - Pride, Politics & Protest: A Marxist Analysis of LGBT+ Oppression JOINT WITH NOTTINGHAM BRANCH
• People's Assembly National Demonstration April 16th - get the coach and join in! 
• Junior Doctors - report from the pickets
• Marxism 2016 - have you got your tickets yet?

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.

Las week's introduction to Marxism and Religion will hopefully be posted on this blog in the near future. 
This week's meeting is a bit of an experiment for us - a joint meeting with our nearest sister branch, Nottingham. We hope to have joint events on a regular basis and build large-scale public meetings with a greater scope for broadening discussion and bringing fresh voices to branch events. 

Our speaker at this week's meeting Pride, Politics & Protest: A Marxist Analysis of LGBT+ Oppression will be Laura Miles, who has literally written the book on this topic. All our meetings have great discussions but this week's should be especially big and fantastic, so come along this 

Thursday 14th April
7 pm
West End Community Centre on Mackworth Road (next to Britannia Mill).

All welcome. See you there!

People's Assembly Against Austerity - National Demonstration 16th April

In the wake of Osborne's budget and with the Junior Doctors fights now looking set to be joined by teachers, the Tories tearing themselves apart, now is the time to ramp up the pressure and bring them down! Join the national demonstration organised by the People's Assembly on 16th April.

There is transport going down but it is almost full up! Book your ticket here!


Junior Doctors - report from the picket lines

Read our report from the pickets in Derby and see the pictures on the blog here.

Marxism Festival 2016

The first peek at this year's Marxism Festival is out now.

Marxism festival is the biggest event of its kind in Europe - thousands of people attending a five day festival of ideas, with meetings on a vast range of subjects and loads of activities.

It is a fantastic event and anyone who wants to change the world should get down to it!

For more details see the official website here: http://www.marxismfestival.org.uk/

If you want to go but are worried that you will not be able to afford it please get in touch. 

We will do everything we can to help you to attend this fantastic event. email derbyswp@gmail.com or find us on Facebook, Derby SWP or on Twitter @derbywsp



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!

Update #88

Hello everyone,
Welcome to this week's update from Derby Socialist Workers Party.

In this week's update:

• Next branch meeting - Religion: oppression and expression. What do Marxists say about faith?
• Junior Doctors on strike this week - show solidarity!
• People's Assembly National Demonstration April 16th - get the coach and join in! 
• Anti-Semitism and the Far Right
• Marxism 2016 - have you got your tickets yet?

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 will examine religion from a Marxist perspective at our branch meeting entitled Religion: oppression and expression. What do Marxists say about faith? Join us for a lively discussion on Thursday 7th April, 7 pm at the West End Community Centre on Mackworth Road (next to Britannia Mill).

All welcome. See you there!

Junior Doctors on Strike - Show Your Solidarity!

The Tories are still trying to press ahead with their plans to privatise the NHS, and part of this is the attempt to impose a new contract which will result in doctors working unsafe and unfair hours. Our doctors are determined to fight for our NHS and for fair working conditions - show your support on the picket lines this week!

There will be picket lines from 8 am outside the Derby Royal Hospital on Wednesday and Thursday this week (6th and 7th April). Join the doctors and show your support - their fight is our fight!



People's Assembly Against Austerity - National Demonstration 16th April

In the wake of Osborne's budget and with the Junior Doctors fights now looking set to be joined by teachers, the Tories tearing themselves apart, now is the time to ramp up the pressure and bring them down! Join the national demonstration organised by the People's Assembly on 16th April.

There is transport going down - book your ticket here!

Anti-Semitism and the Far Right Today

One of our recent meetings was on the subject of anti-semitism and the far right today. The comrade who gave this talk has kindly given us the text of his talk - read it on the blog here!

Marxism Festival 2016

The first peek at this year's Marxism Festival is out now.

Marxism festival is the biggest event of its kind in Europe - thousands of people attending a five day festival of ideas, with meetings on a vast range of subjects and loads of activities.

It is a fantastic event and anyone who wants to change the world should get down to it!

For more details see the official website here: http://www.marxismfestival.org.uk/

If you want to go but are worried that you will not be able to afford it please get in touch. 

We will do everything we can to help you to attend this fantastic event. email derbyswp@gmail.com or find us on Facebook, Derby SWP or on Twitter @derbywsp



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!

Update #85

Hello everyone,
Welcome to this week's update from Derby Socialist Workers Party.

In this week's update:

• This week's branch meeting - why we say no to Trident
• Last week's talk - Why Big Pharma is bad for your health
• Derby Stand Up To Racism leafleting and rally - 3rd March
• Marxism 2016 - have you got your tickets yet?

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.

We hope that we will be able to post the text of last week's talk about anti-Semitism today. It led to a wide-ranging discussion looking at all aspects of the way in which racism is constructed by capitalist societies and the dominant forms of racism today.

This week our meeting will address why we say no to Trident. Why is Trident such a difficult question for the Labour Party? What are the arguments for getting rid of this deadly carbuncle? Thursday 18th February, 7 pm at the West End Community Centre on Mackworth Road (next to Britannia Mill).

Join us for a lively discussion and debate, as well as planning for activities in the city for the week ahead!

All welcome. See you there!

Last week's meeting - why big pharma is bad for your health
The talk which introduced last week's discussion on the big pharmaceutical companies and how they work under capitalism was great and paved the way for a fantastic discussion in the branch. You can find the talk on our blog here!

Stand Up To Racism rally

Further details have been confirmed for the rally on the 3rd March - 7 pm at The Spot on Wilmot St.

Get the word out - let's make this as big an event as possible! The Tories and the far right want us to hate and mistrust migrants, refugees and anyone from a minority background. The Stand Up To Racism campaign says no to racism, no to scapegoating and refugees are welcome here!

There will be leafleting for the rally outside the Jamia mosque at the end of Friday prayers. We will be there between 1 and 1.45. Come and join the Stand Up To Racism members if you can!



Marxism Festival 2016

The first peek at this year's Marxism Festival is out now.

Marxism festival is the biggest event of its kind in Europe - thousands of people attending a five day festival of ideas, with meetings on a vast range of subjects and loads of activities.

It is a fantastic event and anyone who wants to change the world should get down to it!

There's £5 off ticket prices if you book before the end of March. For more details see the official website here: http://www.marxismfestival.org.uk/



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!

Update #84

Hello everyone,
Welcome to this week's update from Derby Socialist Workers Party.

In this week's update:

• This week's branch meeting - why is Big Pharma bad for your health?
• Save the NHS: support the Junior Doctors
• Support Derby Stand Up To Racism
• Marxism Festival 2016 - first peek
• Heart Unions Week

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.

We hope that we will be able to post the text of last week's talk about anti-Semitism today. It led to a wide-ranging discussion looking at all aspects of the way in which racism is constructed by capitalist societies and the dominant forms of racism today.

This week our meeting will address why Big Pharma is bad for your health. How does the healthcare industry let us down under capitalism? Why doesn't it act in our best interests? Thursday 11th February, 7 pm at the West End Community Centre on Mackworth Road (next to Britannia Mill).

Join us for a lively discussion and debate, as well as planning for activities in the city for the week ahead!

All welcome. See you there!

Solidarity with Junior Doctors
The Junior Doctors are taking their dispute forward again this week, in the face of disgusting behaviour from the Health Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, who has gone on a propaganda offensive that tries to smear health workers desperate to save the NHS whilst at the same time ordering the firing of thousands of NHS workers.

Junior Doctors are engaging in a 24 hour stoppage on Tuesday. There will be pickets outside hospitals from 7.30 am. Drop by and show your support!

The Doctors have the support of the public, the Tories don't. Together we can win, and in doing so we can strike a real blow against the Tory plans to destroy the NHS and our other public services.


Stand Up To Racism rally

Derby's Stand Up To Racism group met for a planning meeting last week and are organising a rally for the 3rd March. If you would like more details or to get involved in the group email derbysutr@gmail.com

Several comrades attended the packed UAF conference on Saturday 6th Feb - we hope to bring you a brief report on this too.



Marxism Festival 2016

The first peek at this year's Marxism Festival is out now.

Marxism festival is the biggest event of its kind in Europe - thousands of people attending a five day festival of ideas, with meetings on a vast range of subjects and loads of activities.

It is a fantastic event and anyone who wants to change the world should get down to it!

There's £5 off ticket prices if you book before the end of March. For more details see the official website here: http://www.marxismfestival.org.uk/


Heart Unions Week
The TUC has organised a week of campaigning against the Trades Union Bill. The Derby Trades Council is leafleting at the Ram in the city centre on Friday 12th February from 12 pm until 2 pm. Show your support for the trades unions that defend our class.

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!

Change of day for Junior Doctors Meeting

Just a brief update - the Junior Doctors meeting has been changed to Friday, the time and venue remain the same - 7 pm at the Council House in Derby.

Update #82

Hello everyone,
Welcome to the first update of 2016 from Derby Socialist Workers Party.

In this week's update:

• This week's branch meeting - Marxism & women's liberation
• Support the Student Assembly meeting, Students in Politics
• Support Derby Stand Up To Racism!
• Support the Junior Doctors!

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.

Our first meeting of the year on the topic of 'why we need a revolutionary party' led to a great discussion, which ranged over everything from the importance of central organisation to the weaknesses of privilege theory. A good start to 2016!

This week we have a guest speaker who will introduce the topic of Marxism and Women’s Liberation, and explore the common ground – and distinctiveness of – our approach towards women’s liberation, and why we believe that Marxists can and should be the best fighters for women’s liberation. Thursday 28th January, 7 pm at the West End Community Centre on Mackworth Road (next to Britannia Mill).

Join us for a lively discussion and debate, as well as planning for activities in the city for the week ahead!

All welcome. See you there!

Student Assembly meeting - Students in Politics

The Student Assembly, an offshoot of the People's Assembly in Derby, has been growing in numbers around a group of enthusiastic and well-organised students in Derby who have thrown themselves wholeheartedly into many excellent campaigns across the city.

The Student Assembly is holding an event at The Roundhouse in Pride Park on Tuesday 26th January, from 7-9 pm. This is an event which all socialists will want to attend!

Sign up to the Facebook event here.


Report: Stand Up To Racism launch meeting

Derby Stand Up To Racism Campaign held a very successful launch meeting on Monday - see our report here!

Get involved! For more details on the Derby Stand Up To Racism Facebook page - search Facebook for Derby Stand Up to Racism or click on this link.



Junior Doctors Meeting

The Junior Doctors have arranged a public meeting at the Council House for Tuesday 26th January at 7 pm, in the Council Chamber.

They hope to reach people who are not aware of the dispute with the Department of Health or even (if possible) to find people who don't agree with them. We fully support the Junior Doctors.  Please attend if you can and bring people with you, especially if they are the kinds of people that the JDs are trying to reach!

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!

Update #81

Hello everyone,
Welcome to the first update of 2016 from Derby Socialist Workers Party.

In this week's update:

• This week's branch meeting - why we need a revolutionary party
• Stand Up To Racism launches 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.

At one of our meetings before Christmas, the question was asked: what is the point of the SWP? We thought it was worth an answer. Join us this week for a talk and discussion about why we need the revolutionary party, as well as local and national activity! Thursday 21st January 2016 at 7 pm, West End Community Centre!

All welcome. See you there!

Stand Up To Racism launch meeting

Derby Stand Up To Racism Campaign are holding a launch meeting in January - this should be a high priority for socialists and all other anti-racists!

More details on the Derby Stand Up To Racism Facebook page - search Facebook for Derby Stand Up to Racism or click on this link.



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!

Update #80

Hello everyone,
Welcome to this week's update from Derby Socialist Workers Party.

It's the last update of 2015: onwards to a bigger, better fightback against racism, fascism, the Tories and the capitalist system in 2016!

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.

At our first public meeting of the new year we will
discuss the way forward for socialists in the year ahead - priorities,
challenges and prospects for those who want to build a better, fairer
world. Join us! Thursday 14th January 2016 at 7 pm, West End Community Centre!

All welcome. See you there!

Stand Up To Racism vigil

On Saturday the largest vigil yet took place in Derby, reclaiming the space occupied by fascist Britain First the previous week. A great turnout and buoyant mood helped to make this a really positive event.
Derby Stand Up To Racism Campaign are holding a launch meeting in January - this should be a high priority for socialists and all other anti-racists!

More details on the Derby Stand Up To Racism Facebook page - search Facebook for Derby Stand Up to Racism or click on this link.

Stop The War - National Demonstration

Our report from the national demonstration is now up on the blog here.


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!

Update #78

Hello everyone,
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's meeting: 75 years after his murder, what do Trotsky and Trotskyism mean today? Join us on Thursday 10th December at 7 pm, West End Community Centre!

All welcome. See you there!

Stop The War - National Demonstration

In the wake of the Tory (and Labour right's) decision to further worsen the situation in Syria by joining the bombing of an already devastated country in a desperately cynical bid to have a seat at the table when it comes to dividing the country up when the dust settles, Stop The War have called a national demonstration in London. If you oppose this gross injustice that will do nothing but further harm ordinary people living in terror of ISIS, join the demonstration! For transport to London, contact us on 07742 532 677 or derbyswp@gmail.com

The government does not have the support of the leader of the opposition, or the electorate. It doesn't even have the support of all the media. It certainly has no rational case for war. Together we can stop the Tories and the other Westminster warmongers!


Stand Up To Racism vigil

Last Saturday Nazi organisation Britain First once again came to Derby, spreading their hatred. Stand Up To Racism put out a call for anti-racists to hold a vigil on St Peter's Street to send the message that they are not welcome in Derby. Many enthusiastic people turned out - hopefully a serious Stand Up To Racism organisation can be built in Derby to be prepared for the Nazis if they decide to come back to our city.

The People's March for Climate, Justice and Jobs

A report from last Sunday's march is on the blog here.

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!

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!

Update #76

Hello everyone,
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.

All welcome. See you there!

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!

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!

Update #74

Hello everyone,
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.

All welcome. See you there!

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!

Update #73

Hello everyone,
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!

Update #72

Hello everyone,
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!

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.

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!

Update #70

Hello everyone,
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 will look at the way that the capitalist system works. Why do most of us have to work for bosses? Why is profit so important? Why, in a world which produces more than enough to feed us all, do millions starve? Come along for our topic: How does capitalism work? An introduction to Marxist economics. Thursday 22nd October, 7 pm.

The following week we will have a more social meeting with a showing of the film Sylvia Pankhurst: Everything is Possible, which will look at the more radical, egalitarian suffragist, anti-war and working-class movement that is not given its full head in Suffragette. Join us for socialism, socialising and snacks!

Britain First - Not Welcome in Burton 

For a report on our successful demonstration against fascist group Britain First on Saturday, see our blog post here.

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!

Update #66

Hello everyone,
Last week's vigil against Britain First was very successful - thanks to all who came!

Britain First - Not Welcome in Derby

On Saturday 40 people turned out to support the vigil against the racists of  Britain First. This was more than double their showing last Saturday - a fantastic response. We came from all over the city, from different political groups and none, and it was a great show of solidarity against the racists and fascists of Britain First. Over 400 leaflets were given out and we received lots of support from the public. It was fantastic to take part in such a positive event.

A fledgling anti-racist and anti-fascist group is being formed so that if or when the racists and fascists return there is a network of people who are prepared to turn out and oppose them. If they see how outnumbered and unpopular they are, they will think twice about returning to our city.

If you would like to show your solidarity with anti-racists and anti-fascists as part of a peaceful counter-demonstration should Britain First return, please get in touch. If you email derbyswp@gmail.com we will forward your details to the relevant organisers.

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.

At our last meeting we had a great discussion about the rise of Jeremy Corbyn's campaign for leadership of the Labour Party.

This week we have a meeting about oen of the key issues affecting us at the moment - how do we fight Islamophobia and racism today? Come down and join the discussion: how do we play a role in ending the spiral of discrimination against all groups, but especially the virulent Islamophobia being pushed by the right?

Demonstrate Against the Tories - 4th October

After the fantastic demonstration in London on June 20th we need to keep the momentum of protest and defiance going and growing.

The People's Assembly and TUC have called for a demonstration at the Tory conference in Manchester on the 4th October.

As the anti-austerity mood continues to deepen amongst the working classes of Europe and Greek workers' inspirational rejection of the Syriza government's agreement with the EU was signalled by the massive public sector strike on Wednesday, we must continue to push forward and build the opposition to Tory policies.

UPDATE! The NUT in Derby is taking a lead in organising coaches for the demonstration and 2 coaches have now been booked. If you would like a seat on the coaches, contact the NUT's Division Secretary, Sue Arguile, at secretary@city-of-derby.nut.org.uk or call 07929 043 415.


Talk to colleagues in your workplace and join People's Assembly activities - help to build the demonstration and take the Tories on!

All roads lead to Manchester!

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!