Tom Baldwin, South West Socialist Party secretary
Socialist Party South West regional conference brought 60 people together to discuss where things are going, and how we build the socialist fightback. We discussed trade union struggles, developments in left electoral politics, and how we fight the rise of Reform.
We were joined by guest speaker, Caroline, one of the striking NHS phlebotomists in Gloucestershire. She spoke about their dispute, and the potential for it to spread to other trusts, including the hospital in Swindon.
Bristol Socialist Party member Lindsey Morgan said: “It was great to see a new socialist fighters, and to hear how the Socialist Party has supported the phlebotomists in their struggle.”
We discussed how we can win young people and students to the Socialist Party, and how we can best use the Socialist newspaper to raise socialist ideas among the working class. Then we came back together to discuss how we build the party more widely.
Devon Socialist Party member Lynn Gunnigle said: “Great to see lots of younger members – a refreshing discussion about the Socialist paper, and the use of technology as another tool we must use to our advantage.”
Plymouth Socialist Party member Rich Stallard said: “Inspiring. I left with motivation and willingness to try new things, and bring new ideas to the Socialist Party.”
Combined with the determined, fighting mood and the thoughtful contributions about the complicated period we’re living in, it showed the way the Socialist Party has grown in south west England in the last year. Bristol Socialist Party member Clint Hatcher said: “It was an amazing day seeing comrades and building each other up for the task ahead”. We’re breaking new ground, winning new members, and new fighters for the working class.
