Discussions to change our conditions
Alex Gillham, Leicester Socialist Party
This will be my third visit to Socialism. I have found the weekend is an ideal opportunity to deep-dive on topics I want to know more about and hear socialist perspectives from across the country and elsewhere. While I have seen the Leicester Socialist Party branch grow over the years, it is also a fantastic reminder of our national presence. I love catching up with other members from across the country, and hearing about our efforts on a local and national level.
So much has happened in the last year and I am looking forward to taking part in discussions in the context of our changing conditions. I am interested in the discussion around the role of police within our current state, as I believe the Socialist Party has a unique position on the police which I want to get a better grasp on. I also want to attend the session on capitalism and Islamophobia. As someone from Leicester, which has a large Muslim population, I feel very aware of the rise of anti-Muslim sentiment and want to ensure I am best equipped to struggle alongside others when they face it and understand why the capitalists are using it now.
Meeting hundreds of other socialists is a real boost
Niven Day, Liverpool Socialist Party
I first went to Socialism last year, when I had only been a member of the Socialist Party for a few months. I didn’t expect to be in a room of 1,000 socialists for the Saturday rally, all collectively singing the Internationale, the anthem of international socialism. The experience was inspiring for me, and I’m sure others too,
This year I am attending Socialism again and am the Socialism organiser for the Liverpool branch. Socialism is a great way to meet socialists from all over the UK and further to discuss socialist ideas. Seeing the work that other Socialist Party branches have done was brilliant.
This year’s workshop lineup is promising, with the variety of topics that will be discussed. With the riots that took place in August, a number of workshops centre on how the far right can be combated. There are workshops regarding international affairs, such as the US election and the war in Gaza.
Finally, Socialism is a way to fully see that while our party is relatively small compared to the vast size of the working class as a whole, we have links within trade unions, and a history of working-class struggle. Workshops and the rally will have speakers that have senior roles within trade unions such as the PCS and the NEU, together with activists in the workplaces and communities.
I am going to Socialism 2024, and I recommend that you do too.
