Socialist Party conferences prepare for year ahead

Successful Socialist Party conferences prepare for the year ahead

Wales

Around 50 Socialist Party Wales members from all parts of the country held a very successful annual conference in Cardiff on 16 February.

Socialist Party deputy general secretary Hannah Sell gave an inspirational opening speech outlining the impact of the economic crisis in Britain and the inevitability of a fightback by the working class.

The discussion then highlighted the key role our members are playing in the trade union movement in Wales.

Members in Unison are battling against the vicious cuts being implemented by Labour-led councils with Carmarthenshire Unison branch pointing the way forward by fighting for a ‘no-cuts budget’.

Our members in the civil servants union PCS continue to fly the flag of resistance despite fighting on their own in many instances because of the failure of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) to initiate the popular demand for a one-day general strike.

Steven Skelly, executive member for Wales and the South West in the transport union RMT, brought greetings to the conference.

He re-emphasised the importance of industrial action against class enemies such as Tory London Mayor, Boris Johnson, who is licking his wounds after being forced to step back from his attacks on London underground workers.

Further action by RMT members may be necessary but it is a lesson and inspiration to millions of workers that militant action can stop these attacks.

Ross Saunders introduced the party building session by recording our successes in Wales over the past year and also explaining the methods and determination necessary to recruit more new members to our party.

Our young student members reported their initiatives in building Socialist Students in the colleges and universities in Wales.

Our finance organisers are launching the 2014 subs campaign to increase our resources to help us raise socialist strategies in the anti-cuts campaigns and our youth and trade union activities.

Our 2014 Socialist Party Wales conference was enthusiastic and brimming with confidence for the coming year.

This was reflected in the excellent fighting fund appeal which raised £811 as well as one visitor signing up to join at the end of conference.

Alec Thraves

East Midlands

East Midlands Socialist Party held a successful regional conference with 30 members in attendance and some excellent political discussion.

A slideshow video at the beginning of the day reminded us of the vast amount of activity we have been involved in over the last year – from standing in elections and supporting picket lines to building support in the universities and campaigning against zero-hour contracts.

Rob Williams, from the Socialist Party executive committee, outlined prospects for struggle in Britain and there were contributions from the floor about the situation facing young people and the horrific cuts expected this year in local government.

We had workshops on whether political parties are relevant to young people, how we can help organise in the workplace, what makes a successful Socialist Party meeting and who should write for the Socialist (eds: everyone!).

The conference inspired our members, reflected in a fighting fund appeal raising over £330. The launch of a subs campaign resulted in a few members immediately agreeing to increase their financial commitment to the Socialist Party.

Becci Heagney