RMT general secretary Bob Crow speaking in Barking, east London, photo Senan
THE RMT rail workers’ union called a meeting in Barking on Sunday 11 April. The aim was to convince people in Barking, who are understandably angry with New Labour’s cuts record, not to vote for the far-right, racist British National Party in protest.
Unfortunately the theatre where the rally was booked cancelled two days before the meeting, saying they couldn’t host ‘political’ events. Nonetheless around 100 people turned up to hear Bob Crow, general secretary of the RMT transport workers’ union, and other activists speak outside the theatre.
Bob Crow and others from the RMT made it absolutely clear that they did not support New Labour either and that a new party was needed. The Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition was proposed as an important step towards that.
Suzanne Beishon, London Youth Fight for Jobs (YFJ) organiser, reported on the recent YFJ demonstration in Barking. The case for uniting young people on the basis of fighting for jobs, homes and services was warmly received.
