Southampton Socialist Party
In recent weeks, far-right protests against an asylum hotel have taken place in Southampton. They have faced opposition from the local community, anti-racists and trade unionists who oppose attempts to divide our community and scapegoat vulnerable people for problems created by Tory, and now Labour governments.
On 18 October, large numbers from the Muslim community, arranged by the nearby Bashir Ahmed Mosque, joined the counter-protest as the far right marched through a local shopping high street, angry at attempts to intimidate the community and determined that racism will be challenged. As they joined the anti-racist counter-protest outside the hotel, many applauded as our community stood together, outnumbering the small gathering of the far right and their supporters.
This response has come after the far right has rallied outside a local mosque and attempted to intimidate Gaza protests.
We have called on trade unions to lead a mobilisation in the city under the banner of ‘Jobs, homes and services not racism’. The local trades council has been at the forefront of mobilising for counter-protests and organised stewarding on the Gaza protests.
This needs to be stepped up to ensure our communities are safe and organised against any threats to divide us and intimidate those from protesting. The overwhelming majority oppose racism and are angry at Labour continuing Tory cuts. Reform and the far right are trying to exploit that anger and mobilise a scapegoating campaign against asylum seekers. But it was the government who cut funding for housing, the NHS, schools and youth clubs. It was the bosses who cut jobs and pay, and corporate landlords and the banks who put up our rents and mortgages.
Only a united campaign of working-class communities and the trade unions can build a powerful movement to force the government to fund the services we need. Attempts to divide us only play into the hands of the super-rich who want us to pay for their economic crisis. It is the financial backers of the far right and Reform who want to weaken our ability to fight back.
To be effective, our campaign needs to make clear that we stand for an end to austerity and are prepared to build an electoral alternative that represents the real interests of all working-class communities and those hit by austerity. That potential can be realised if Jeremy Corbyn’s and Zarah Sultana’s Your Party initiative prepares now to stand candidates in next May’s local elections.
What is possible was seen locally last year when, standing under the banner of the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition, Nadia Ditta won 848 votes, 32% in the inner-city Bevois ward. Electing socialist anti-cuts fighters like Nadia, who has successfully fought to stop the closure of the local Venny park and St Mary’s Leisure Centre, shows we can force the council and the government to find the money to fund the jobs, homes and services our communities so vitally need.
18 October shows the potential for a campaign to grow that unites not divides us and can deliver real change for all.
