Support grows for campaign for new workers' party

WORKERS ARE looking for a political alternative. That was the message from the 28 March picket lines as members of eleven trade unions took strike action in defence of their pensions. At Salford city council, 34 workers signed up in support of the declaration of the Campaign for a New Workers' Party (CNWP). On picket lines and at the strike rally in Coventry, 30 workers signed up.

Roger Bannister, National secretary CNWP

Reports are coming in of many others signing up in support on picket lines and at rallies around the country showing the strength of feeling over New Labour's constant attacks and the lack of genuine political representation for working-class people. Please send reports from your area to info@cnwp.org.uk

This week, the total number of signatories in support of the declaration for a new workers' party reached over 1,500. 650 have signed up via the internet with the campaign website www.cnwp.org.uk averaging over 1,000 hits a day in March. Over 800 have signed the petition on stalls, at workplaces, on picket lines, at rallies and at meetings.

The campaign is now established after the successful 19 March conference and needs to continue gaining momentum. Those attending the conference agreed to aim for at least 5,000 signatories by the end of the year. This will require supporters to plan how they are going to raise the campaign in their local areas over the next few months.

The declaration should still be used on stalls and on workplace activities as well as on local demos and at meetings. The conference agreed to plan for a national speaking tour in May so supporters in local areas should start to discuss when and where these could take place.

At these meetings, the initial local structures of the campaign can be decided and an initial committee elected. More guidance on this will be available after the first meeting of the elected CNWP officers on 21 April.

The conference also agreed to establish affiliation to the CNWP and supporters should think about who they can approach in their local areas. Trade union branches and local campaign organisations can be invited to affiliate for a fee of £25 and national organisations can be invited to affiliate for a fee of £50. Please get in touch with info@cnwp.org.uk for a model letter that can be used locally.