Mike Hirst, Hull Socialist Party
Hull and District Trades Union Council, including Socialist Party members, convened a meeting to discuss the political representation of the working class, and to begin the task of forming a new workers’ party.
35 people attended, including two councillors who had recently left the Labour Party, due to its continued attacks on the working class, and its pro-war position.
It was acknowledged by those attending that, after the defeat of Jeremy Corbyn in the Labour Party, and its subsequent takeover by Keir Starmer, there is a void that is being filled by Reform.
Capitalist parties. Where’s ours?
The ruling capitalist class now have multiple parties to represent their interests. The working class requires one which will act in our interests.
Socialist Party members said that the formation of a new workers’ party must have the working class at its core. This would include the organisations of the working class – trade unions – along with community campaigners, organisers, and activists.
The problems we face – decimation of our NHS, lack of affordable housing, attacks on our education system, and the rising cost of living – stem from capitalism. A system that lives off the wealth created by the labour of working-class people. We see less and less of that wealth, as it is siphoned off for the profits of big business and super-rich.
A new workers’ party would need a socialist programme, based on the needs and aspirations of working-class communities to challenge capitalism, including renationalisation of our NHS, utilities, rail, and the top 150 companies that dominate our economy, under democratic workers’ control and management.
Greens
Two Green Party members attended the meeting. They proposed that they could play a role in being the new “left party”.
However, it was highlighted at the meeting that the Green Party does not have a socialist programme, is wedded to capitalism, and has not been formed from a mass working-class base. Further, it has a record of succumbing to the pressures of capitalism, and has imposed cuts to services and attacked workers where it has councillors, such as in Brighton and Sheffield.
There was agreement in the meeting, that in order to tackle the issues we face, we need a new party – a place campaigners and community organisers could tackle societal issues by organising alongside striking workers, trade unionists, and other activists.
A follow-up meeting is being convened in the near future. With reported interest from members of other trades union councils in Yorkshire, we could start to see the green shoots of a new workers’ party emerging.
