The Socialist 10 February 2010

Fight University Cuts

Fight university cuts

Fighting leadership needed in Unison - Nominate Roger Bannister for general secretary

Greenwich Unison backs victimised branch secretary

Preying on the living and dead

Waltham Forest: Campaigners score a victory

Fiddling MPs: Jail the whole lot of them!

Vulnerable lose out on benefits

Socialist Women: Fighting for equality through socialism

Fast news

Civil service strike ballot: Vote 'yes' for action

Boycotting the 2010 SATS in schools

Coventry youth workers' strike

Metaldyne workers strike

Stoke: Axiom workers in overtime ban

Saving jobs and services in Worcestershire

Workplace news in brief

Hazel Blears must go

TUSC: Wellingborough socialists make a stand

PCS young members network conference

Bristol job centre workers fight transfer

Trade unions in Britain - are they ready for the coming battles?

Northern Ireland: An agreement to cement division

Sri Lanka President Rajapakse removes his rival, Fonseka

Tamil Solidarity -: Successful northern conference

Trotskyism on trial

Armed forces: Release Lance-Corporal Joe Glenton

Trade union rights for service personnel

Previous issues, etc

Print this issue




Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/611/8817

Google search the site	Printable version	email to friend

Home | The Socialist 10 February 2010 | Join the Socialist Party

Subscribe | Donate | Bookshop

Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition

Wellingborough socialists make a stand

What started out as a meeting called by Independent Socialists in Wellingborough (ISW) aiming to discuss tactical voting in the general election, ended in the ISW deciding to stand a candidate itself!

Lee Dunkley, Northampton Socialist Party

This open meeting took place on 4 February, after the ISW and its councillor, Paul Crofts, put out an invitation to local activists and campaign groups to a discussion on political representation.

Northampton Socialist Party members participated in the meeting, and outlined the pro-capitalist, anti-working class nature of New Labour. This steered the discussion towards the need for a new workers' party and the developments in left unity through the new Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) deciding to stand candidates in the general election.

There was caution regarding TUSC at first, with some commenting that they didn't want to be in a Socialist Alliance mark two "if the SWP were to take over again". However TUSC was welcomed by the 30 or so campaigners present (the largest meeting in ISW's recent history) after it was explained that the coalition is rooted in trade unionism and combative elements of the working class - rather than being simply a collection of left groups.

Dave Nellist, Socialist Party councillor and TUSC parliamentary candidate for Coventry North East, will be speaking at the upcoming ISW meeting on 25 February where a ISW candidate will be selected.

The reception of TUSC at the 4 February meeting was very promising, and it is now anticipated that the ISW parliamentary candidate for Wellingborough and Rushden may stand under this banner. This would mark a big step forward, in joining up local campaign groups with trade unions and national left groups, along the road to building a new workers' party.

New coalition sponsors this week...

A new round of sponsors for the TUSC general election challenge have come in this week, some of whom are listed below. All sponsors appear in a personal capacity.

To add your name either write to TUSC, 17 Colebert House, Colebert Avenue, London E1 4JP or e-mail electioncoalition@btinternet.com

Donations can also be sent to TUSC, with cheques payable to Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition.

Janice Godrich PCS national president Gary Hassell RMT national executive, South East Brian Ingham University and College Union national executive Roger Bannister Unison national executive Dave Grant Lincolnshire Road Car RMT branch secretary Frank Riley Former Labour deputy leader, West Lancashire council Marion Lloyd PCS national executive April Ashley Unison national executive Caroline Butchers Carmarthenshire NUT young teachers' rep Rob Williams PCS national executive Joe Rukin NUS national treasurer, 2005-07 Jared Wood RMT LU rep, Neasden branch Councillor Jackie Grunsell Huddersfield Save Our NHS Paul Cooney Huddersfield Health Unison branch secretary Emily Kelly PCS national executive Judy Griffiths Coventry CWU branch secretary Councillor Rob Windsor Coventry Socialist Party councillor Roger Davey Chair, Unison Wiltshire Health branch Rob Williams Unite convenor, Linamar Swansea Rob Rooney Plymouth City Unison steward