Fighting city needs a fighting party

A PROUD tradition of the Socialist Party is linking major national and international issues, such as the occupation of Iraq, the economy, industrial struggle etc. to issues within our own communities. Our two branches in Manchester - Central and Salford and Wythenshawe - carry on this tradition.

Steve North, Central Manchester and Salford Socialist Party

Our continued presence in Wythenshawe is now well recognised. Our election candidate Lynn Worthington has consistently increased her vote by fighting for the needs of working-class people. Residents recognise us as the only party that will stand up and represent them.

Central Manchester and Salford branch also has a good campaigning record. Following our involvement in the successful campaign to save Salford Women's Centre, we initiated the Save Our Post Offices Campaign, which is putting pressure on Salford council to ensure that local post offices do not close.

In Central Manchester, among university and college students over the next months we'll continue the fight against tuition fees and for a better standard of living for students, including campaigning on issues such as EMA grants and public transport.

In the trade union movement those of us in the public sector will be pushing for strike action to be coordinated to break the government's pay freeze. We will be insisting that the unions should break from New Labour and use their influence and resources to build a new mass party that will represent working-class people.

This argument will become increasingly relevant in the coming months. We have achieved some good election results in local trade union branches and will be looking to build on these, as well as encouraging those in our branches and workplaces to get involved in the Socialist Party.

We know the coming period will be difficult for working people in this area, but we will keep involving ourselves in the struggles of the working class, while stressing that only the removal of capitalism and its replacement with genuine, democratic socialism will be able to guarantee a better future.

"What is socialism?"

Tuesday 23 September, 4pm at Manchester University Students Union, Oxford Rd.

Speaker Matt Dobson, national organiser of Socialist Students.

Organised by Manchester Socialist Students - more information Abby 07910 098 943

"Building a world party of socialist revolution - the founding and struggles of the CWI"

Tuesday 23 September, 7pm at Friends Meeting House, Mount St., Manchester city centre.

Speaker Hugh Caffrey, north-west Socialist Party organiser. Organised by Central Manchester and Salford branch Socialist Party. More information tel. Christian 07792 923 069