National congress 2006:

Democratic discussion, debate and decision-making

The Socialist Party's national congress is taking place in Skegness over the three days Saturday 11 February to Monday 13 February 2006. Socialist Party branches throughout England and Wales are electing delegates this month to send to the congress. Branches are also discussing the congress documents and resolutions, which assess the recent and present political situation in Britain and the key tasks our party will face over the coming months.

Judy Beishon

The first congress session will be a political discussion on Britain, but will include points on the important background of world relations, world events and the world economy.

This discussion will be based on a British perspectives document that was sent to all branches at the end of last year, together with a document entitled A new stage of world capitalism and the international workers' movement agreed at last November's meeting of the Committee for a Workers' International (CWI) International Executive Committee (IEC) which is available at www.socialistworld.net

The second session will be on the campaign for a new mass workers' party recently initiated by the Socialist Party. With the existing main political parties being almost indistinguishable in their support for more privatisation and attacks on workers' living standards, we believe it is urgent for us to step up this campaign and devote time on our congress agenda to discussing how it can be developed.

Sessions will then follow on the essential task of building our membership and finances, and on our work in the trade unions, workplaces, universities, colleges and schools. Resolutions covering these issues were agreed by our national committee meeting on 7-8 January 2006 and will be discussed and voted on by the congress. Branches can also put forward their own resolutions on any issue.

It has also been decided to propose the launch of a campaign at the congress to increase our sales of the socialist. A specific session has therefore been placed on the agenda to discuss this, and a national committee resolution will be presented to help the discussion focus on the detailed tasks that such a campaign will involve. The congress will end with a report and discussion based on one of the political sessions from the CWI IEC.

Democratic discussion, debate and decision-making are regarded as extremely important in the Socialist Party. The political and organisational foundations of our work over the next year will be decided at the congress, with all decisions being taken by the vote of branch delegates. The branch delegates are democratically elected by party members at their local branch meetings. Congress delegates will also be electing a new party National Committee.

There will be some space for party members to attend the congress as visitors if they would like to come but are not elected as delegates. All members should consider coming, as the event is likely to be very inspiring, interesting and informative.

Contact your party regional organiser or our national organisation department on 020 988 8777 if you are thinking of attending, and for details of the cost and other arrangements.