Marxism 2016 - It's Not Too Late!

This year's Marxism Festival was full of fantastic meetings on every topic under the sun, but if you couldn't make it, don't despair!

Many of the meetings were filmed, and most of those videos have now been uploaded to our Youtube channel. You can find the playlist here:



In addition, those meetings which weren't filmed were all recorded. Get your year's supply of socialist meetings on MP3 from our Bandcamp page here!

Make sure you don't miss out on announcements about next year's festival - bookmark the official festival page https://marxismfestival.org.uk/

Marxism Festival is a one-of-a-kind event, the largest in Europe. Join thousands of lefties for 5 days of meetings, gigs, films and much, much more!

If you like what you see and hear at Marxism, why not come along to our branch meetings and consider joining us? The SWP is at the heart of the struggle, but we need to be as big as possible to be as effective as possible!

As our rulers try to force more sexism, racism, austerity, poverty, inequality and more wars onto us we have a world to win.

Update #91

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

Branch 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.

Thursday 4th August
7 pm
West End Community Centre on Mackworth Road (next to Britannia Mill).

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 #90

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

In this week's update:

• Next branch meeting - Greece: Austerity & Resistance
• Report from People's Assembly National Demonstration April 16th
• 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.

Last week we had a really great discussion on Pride, Politics & Protest: a Marxist Analysis of LGBT+ Oppression.

This week we look at Greece and how the situation between the Troika, Syriza and the Greek working class is developing with Greece: Austerity and Resistance

Thursday 21st 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

This demonstration was big and loud! Read our report here: http://derbyswp.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/thousands-take-to-streets-to-demand.html



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. Here is last year's opening rally to give you an idea of the event:

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!

Thousands Take to the Streets to Demand Cameron's Resignation

Today's People's Assembly demonstration in London was as angry as it was massive. The tens of thousands who filled the streets and Trafalgar Square came from all over the country, and they weren't happy with the Tories.

Two coachloads went from Derby. On the coaches on the way back a lot of the talk was of the large size of the demonstration but also the way that the mood was inspiring. Thousands of people will have returned home tonight knowing that they are not alone in their anger at the injustices of this government. What is needed is action to harness that anger and energy.

There was a large union presence on the demonstration. Junior Doctors are engaged in the fight of their lives to save the NHS, and teachers are about to join the fray. Organisations like the People's Assembly have the potential to engage a new layer of activists in supporting these struggles. Let's make it happen! Talk to your workmates, work with the People's Assembly, have a union meeting about solidarity action. In short: be a socialist!

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!

Fantastic support for the Junior Doctors

The Junior Doctors were out again this week as the government refused to back down over the new contract which, as well as being unfair to doctors would have a terrible impact on patient safety and pave the way for further break up and privatisation of the NHS.

As the government floundered, flopping around over an ever-expanding list of embarrassments, catastrophes and failures including expenses, tax avoidance, Europe, and u-turns on key welfare and education policies, it desperately tried to portray the dedicated staff of the NHS as selfish and grasping - but the public aren't fooled.

The pickets outside the Royal Hospital were well-supported not only by fellow trades unionists from other unions such as the NUT (itself about to ballot for industrial action over a similar privatisation agenda) but from the public visiting the hospital and driving past honking their horns in support. Many of the doctors were positive about building solidarity with other unions in turn. There is great potential for a united fightback against the government's attacks on working people!



The Junior Doctors are right to strike. All socialists must continue and step up support as the doctors step up their strike action next month.

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!