Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/603/8414
From The Socialist newspaper, 25 November 2009
Mobilising to stop Griffin
THE RMT transport trade union, at short notice, called a protest outside Upney tube station in east London against BNP leader Nick Griffin. The far right racist MEP was planning a press stunt in Barking where he recently announced he would stand in next year's general election.
Suzanne Beishon, Hackney Socialist Party
Around 40 protesters gathered outside to stop him and succeeded in keeping him away for at least the duration of the protest.
The Socialist Party's slogan of 'jobs, homes and services, not racism' went down well amongst people passing by. One old lady who stopped to ask what the protest was about made it clear that she didn't want Griffin and the BNP in her borough and was pleased to see the protest organised by the RMT, but added that 'Margaret Hodge [the current MP] and the Labour Party have ruined Barking'.
Trade unions have a vital role to play in combating the BNP, and the RMT has been at the forefront of this battle, fielding candidates in the euro-elections. Now, leading RMT members are involved in discussions for a trade union and socialist general election coalition with the Socialist Party and other left organisations.
Such a coalition could put forward a left-wing political alternative for working class people in the general election. This is the most effective way of cutting across the BNP's support which seeks to exploit the vacuum in working class representation by falsely posing as an alternative to the parties of big business.
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In The Socialist 25 November 2009:
Socialist Party editorial
How could full youth employment be achieved?
Bristol Youth Fight for Jobs challenges council leader
Marxist analysis: history
Lessons of struggle: If you fight, you can win!
Environment and socialism
War and occupation
Afghanistan: Brown and Obama scrabbling for an exit strategy
Socialist Party news and analysis
Main parties plan cutbacks: It's time for a fightback!
Racists - stay out of Wrexham!
Successful Manchester Tamil Solidarity meeting
People's Charter
People's Charter - a step towards workers' political representation?
Education
The battle for state education
Socialist Party candidate increases vote in NUT election
Education: 'Try your best' is not enough
Attacks begin at Bangor University
Socialist Party workplace news
Superdrug workers show industrial action can win victories
Postal dispute: Bosses still on the attack
Axiom railworkers' strike remains solid
Cuts crisis on the Isle of Man
International socialist news
Guadeloupe - End the profiteering and exploitation
Socialist Party review
The 1970s, mainly viewed from the top
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