Socialist Party national congress

The politics of socialism

CHRIS BAUGH, assistant general secretary of the PCS civil service union, launched the Socialist Party's 2007 congress with a rousing speech. He explained how the Socialist Party's practical and political support had helped change the PCS into a fighting, democratic trade union.

Alison Hill

The PCS has recruited 50,000 new members in the last ten years and has forced a victory over pensions which some mainstream press commentators called a "surrender" by the Blair government.

British children are suffering the worst deprivation in the western world. Workers are facing job cuts and assaults on their living standards. And the right to organise in trade unions is being undermined.

But the Socialist Party's ideas and programme challenge the idea that nothing can be done about any of this. He called on the TUC to organise a day of action in defence of the public sector on 1 May.

During the conference there were interesting and inspiring discussions on the world political situation, introduced by Peter Taaffe and on Britain, introduced by Hannah Sell. So much so, that the collection for the Socialist Party's Fighting Fund raised an impressive £8,193 on Saturday night.

The theme of the discussion on building and developing the Socialist Party was on recruitment. And it was clear from conference delegates' speeches that there are massive opportunities to build the party, particularly amongst young people.

A fund to modernise and improve the party's printing facilities made a good start, with nearly £5,000-worth of pledges.

And a discussion on all the Party's publications revealed a lot of good ideas on the design and content of our paper, magazine, websites, books, pamphlets, leaflets and posters.

Many delegates pointed out that the main key to developing our paper and magazine is of course to increase the sales. There were several useful reports from Socialist Party branches that had made important progress in selling the socialist.

Robert Bechert from the Committee for a Workers' International rounded off the conference with a report of some of the CWI's work around the world. It was an inspiring end to an invigorating conference.

The next issue will carry reports from all the main sessions.

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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.