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Link to this page: https://www.socialistparty.org.uk/articles/17156

Posted on 30 July 2013 at 15:33 GMT

Tolpuddle festival July 2013, photo Matt Carey (Click to enlarge)

High turnout for the Tolpuddle march and festival

This year's Tolpuddle martyrs festival in Dorset took place in the extreme heat but that didn't dampen the spirits of those who attended.

Around 1,000 people turned up for the weekend to celebrate trade unionism and the memory of the Tolpuddle martyrs, which was a significant step up from last year. Many more then joined us for the Sunday.

Tollpuddle march July 2013, photo Matt Carey (Click to enlarge)

Tolpuddle festival July 2013, photo Matt Carey (Click to enlarge)

Over 130 copies of the Socialist were sold and several thousand NSSN (National Shop Stewards Network) leaflets were distributed demanding that the TUC call a 24-hour general strike.

Many people signed the NSSN petition and said that they would attend the lobby of the September TUC congress in Bournemouth.

Tolpuddle festival July 2013, photo Matt Carey (Click to enlarge)

There was also a lot of interest in the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) which shows that many trade unionists no longer see Labour as the electoral alternative.

With recent pronouncements by Ed Miliband and Ed Balls accepting Tory austerity policies and questioning Labour's link with the trade unions, many activists are having to accept for the first time that Labour no longer represents workers' interests in any way.

This potentially opens up the possibility of major unions ending their affiliation with Labour and looking for new ways to achieve political representation.

Tolpuddle march July 2013, photo Matt Carey (Click to enlarge)

Speeches

After the traditional march through the village of Tolpuddle on the Sunday afternoon, we heard various speeches including from Labour MP Sadiq Kahn who struggled to raise any applause.

Tolpuddle march July 2013, photo Matt Carey (Click to enlarge)

The new TUC general secretary (and first ever woman in the job), Frances O'Grady, said that the TUC would support workers who wanted to take industrial action, "up to and including coordinated action" but she stopped short of calling for a general strike against austerity.

Tony Benn speaking, Tolpuddle festival July 2013, photo Matt Carey (Click to enlarge)

Finally, we heard from veteran former Labour MP, Tony Benn, now 88 years old. He said that he was against protests which just register our disagreement with government policy - workers should instead demand that the policies be changed.

The festival was rounded off with a gig by Tolpuddle regular, Billy Bragg.

Tolpuddle march July 2013, photo Matt Carey (Click to enlarge)

With the horrendous policies of Cameron and Clegg causing untold suffering for millions of ordinary people in Britain, the labour movement is starting to come to life after years of relative passivity.

At a traditional trade union event like the Tolpuddle festival, you can really feel the solidarity and everyone goes home feeling re-energised and ready to continue the struggle.

Kyle Williamson (East London Socialist Party) and Matt Carey (Bristol South Socialist Party)

Tolpuddle festival July 2013, photo Matt Carey (Click to enlarge)

Tolpuddle march July 2013, photo Matt Carey (Click to enlarge)

Tolpuddle festival July 2013, photo Matt Carey (Click to enlarge)

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Finance appeal

The coronavirus crisis has laid bare the class character of society in numerous ways. It is making clear to many that it is the working class that keeps society running, not the CEOs of major corporations.

The results of austerity have been graphically demonstrated as public services strain to cope with the crisis.

The government has now ripped up its 'austerity' mantra and turned to policies that not long ago were denounced as socialist. But after the corona crisis, it will try to make the working class pay for it, by trying to claw back what has been given.

The Socialist Party's material is more vital than ever, so we can continue to report from workers who are fighting for better health and safety measures, against layoffs, for adequate staffing levels, etc.
When the health crisis subsides, we must be ready for the stormy events ahead and the need to arm workers' movements with a socialist programme - one which puts the health and needs of humanity before the profits of a few.