On Saturday, Socialist Party members from the length and breadth of the south west travelled to Bristol for the annual regional conference. The day's discussions were fruitful, and have helped to prepare members for the many challenges ahead in 2010.
The day was split into three sessions. The first, in the morning, was introduced by guest speaker Hannah Sell, deputy general secretary of the Socialist Party. In a far-ranging introduction, Hannah outlined the perspectives, economic and political, for Britain in the coming months. This provoked a variety of contributions from the floor, which served to add to the analysis provided and gave everyone a concrete picture of how the situation is developing in the public services and other workplaces.
One comrade, a UNISON activist from the Bath and Somerset branch, told of impending cuts of 15% in his health trust. Others detailed the increased bullying and exploitation that the bosses are visiting on workers. The prospects of a Tory government were noted, though as this is likely to be of a weak nature, in terms of majority (or lack of it) and mandate.
As well as seeking to respond to events such as attacks on public services, the Socialist Party seeks to anticipate them. We have already set up the Youth Fight for Jobs campaign, which will prove a focal point for the struggles of unemployed workers and youth in the coming months and years. Our work in the unions is also aimed at preparing the ground to defend jobs, pay, and public services. Many at the conference outlined their role as trade union activists, and also the broader work in unions, aimed at strengthening organisation, democracy and militancy.
The public service union UNISON will be critical in the battles to defend the public sector. Unfortunately, at the moment, despite some outstanding leadership shown on a local level in some areas, the national leadership has pursued a strategy of partnership with New Labour and employers. Accompanying this has been the witchhunt against Socialist Party activists in the union. This makes the election for the general secretary of UNISON critical, and three-time candidate Roger Bannister, a Socialist Party member, will be standing again, posing a real alternative to the failed approach of Prentis.
The creation of a political alternative to New Labour is also critical. The formation of the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition is a positive step in that direction. In the final session of the afternoon, regional secretary Robin Clapp explained the progress in the south west. TUSC will be standing a candidate in the Bristol South constituency, local Unite member Tom Baldwin. There is a possibility of standing elsewhere in the south west, and we will post details of this if and when it is decided. Although there will not be a TUSC candidate in Devon, Cornwall or Somerset, the fact that TUSC is hopefully set to continue after the general election in some form means that support will need to be sought. In addition, help will be needed in the Bristol election campaign. If you would like to express your interest or support in TUSC and/or helping canvass in Bristol, please fill out the contact form on this website.
The middle session was perhaps one of the most useful of the day, focussing on how we organise as a political party. The sharing of the experiences, successes and failures of members and branches in an open and frank way I think will have aided even the most experienced member present. As always, discussion is linked to action, and this was agreed upon.
It was generally recognised that 2009 was an important year for the Socialist Party, but we will be tested by events in 2010. The regional conference will have helped those who attended by better preparing them, their branches, and the region as a whole for these events.
