Zakk Brown, Manchester and Salford Socialist Party
Manchester and Salford Socialist Party has seen a recent uptake in new members, linking up our trade union campaigning with a new generation of student activists.
Trade unions
Prior to the start of the September student term, our branch’s strength lied in our relentlessly active members in the trade unions, notably PCS and Unison. The flip side of our important trade union campaigning, however, was that we struggled with time following up new people interested in the Socialist Party, so attendance at branch meetings was a hurdle.
But from September, the branch began to grow with an active layer of students. First it was one, then two, and now five students agreeing to join the Socialist Party. More regularly come to branch meetings, and could join the Socialist Party soon.
We were able to do this by combining the twin pillars of our branch – trade unions and students. We held two public meetings in March. One on the current battle in civil service union PCS, and the other on International Women’s Day.
Our new students were calling new people interesting in the Socialist Party, spreading the invitations. And our existing trade union members led those meetings.
The result was greater attendance than we’ve had recently. The biggest was 24, including a new PCS union rep. Our members are getting a larger audience to put our party’s programme across, resulting in students deciding to join.
Our message
Before, with relatively small meetings in the corner of a quiet pub, it was difficult for new people arriving after a campaign stall to think we are a serious. Now, with the attendance we are getting, and our members able to express how significant a force we are in the unions, the message is resoundingly clear – we are serious, and you should join.
