Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/610/8763
From The Socialist newspaper, 3 February 2010
Bob Crow launches Portsmouth TUSC
"Every victory we've won since the war is up for grabs." That was the rallying call from RMT general secretary Bob Crow as he launched the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) general election campaign in Portsmouth North by outlining the need to defend jobs, homes and services from the most savage attacks in a generation.
Over 60 local trade unionists and socialists attended the meeting at Unity Hall in Fratton and unamimously endorsed Mick Tosh, RMT activist and former RMT executive committee member as the TUSC parliamentary candidate for Portsmouth North.
While Bob's speech was mainly aimed at the attacks being prepared by the big three parties against working people he also stressed the danger of the far right. When considering his own constituency of Barking, where BNP leader Nick Griffin intends to stand, Bob commented: "You need to build homes, build hospitals and give people jobs, that's how you beat the BNP and that's how we'll lay the foundation for a new political party for working men and women."
His message of defiance was matched by contributions from the floor, as speakers who have participated in industrial struggles across the region, including the postal strike, the Ford dispute in Southampton and the Vestas occupation on the Isle of Wight, declared their support for Mick Tosh and TUSC.
As people queued to volunteer to help and make donations the spirit of the meeting was summed up by one local man who, on collecting his TUSC Portsmouth North membership card, said: "I've been waiting over thirty years for something like this."
Ben Norman, Socialist Party Portsmouth
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In The Socialist 3 February 2010:
'Filthy rich' get richer: Challenge the bosses' greed!
War and occupation
Taliban insurgency, poverty and corruption Brown's Afghan crisis deepens
Chilcot Inquiry: Millionaire Blair has no regrets
Socialist Party NHS campaign
Fight new attacks on London's NHS
Youth fight for jobs
Civil service Young workers get organised
Youth Fight for Jobs (YFJ) activities
No cuts and no fees in further education
Young people blocked from access to education
Socialist Party news and analysis
Socialist councillors back school's protest
Weak growth - the best that capitalism can offer
Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition
Trade unionist and socialist coalition
Bob Crow launches Portsmouth TUSC
Scottish TUSC steering committee set up
Socialist Party workplace news
Unison general secretary election: Fighting left challenge needed
Defend the four: Courts show what side they're on
Civil service strike ballot as talks fail
Fujitsu strikers determined to save jobs and pensions
International socialist news and analysis
Sri Lanka: Violent election campaign puts Rajapakse back in power
Tekel workers demand general strike in Turkey
Betrayed - PTSD casualties of war
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