Gareth Bromhall, Swansea Socialist Party
This year’s event was sponsored by Unite the Union, and the local Labour council. Controversially, the event was also sponsored by Great Western Railway. The local secretary of train drivers’ union Aslef made it known to the trade union bloc that his branch and union were nearing 30 months in dispute with this employer.
Tory hostility
The Tories whipping up culture wars around trans rights, drag queens and other LGBT issues has had an effect, with hostility both online and in person on the day more overt and visible. Nonetheless, thousands marched, and thousands more lined the entire route in support.
Socialist Party members are part of Swansea Trades Union Council, and we coordinated with others to build a trade union bloc, including members from Unite, GMB, PCS, Unison, Usdaw and Aslef.
Swansea Socialist Students initiated a radical bloc, which included socialist and anarchist groups, antifascists, and pro-Palestinian marchers, under the banner “pride is political” and “queers for Palestine”.
The Socialist Party had a stall inside the festival at the end of the march, with members taking turns to run it. This was a great opportunity for three of the new members who have joined us this month to get stuck in, taking part in their first campaign activity with the Socialist Party.
Youth
Our socialist material on LGBT+ issues was well received, particularly by young attendees looking for an alternative. The front page of the Socialist paper, “Mass workers’ struggle can end slaughter in Gaza”, prompted several discussions.
And our ‘Tories out’ leaflet, with more demands reflecting the current situation, also went down well, with several people indicating their desire to discuss with us more.
