Lively discussion at East Midlands Socialist Party conference

Holding the Socialist Party banner on the 3rd Feb London 'save NHS' demo, photo Mary Finch (Click to enlarge)

Tom Barker, Leicester West Socialist Party

The Socialist Party East Midlands conference on 18 February was a day of lively political discussion, detailing the tasks ahead but also drawing out the lessons of the successful Glenfield and Chatsworth NHS campaigns - led by Socialist Party members.

Socialist Party executive committee member Rob Williams led the opening session on British, where he outlined Corbyn's excellent general election campaign.

But he also warned of the many obstacles that stand in the way of transforming Labour into a mass party of the working class.

The pro-capitalist policies of many Labour councils pose a significant threat to Corbyn's electoral support.

In Derby, for example, the local Labour-led council has been widely condemned for their appalling treatment of local teaching assistants.

Understandably, they now face the possibility of losing their majority in local elections in May. Selectively standing Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition candidates against the Blairites can play an important role in fighting for Corbyn's anti-austerity programme.

The workshop discussions highlighted the need for members to take every opportunity to build on our successes by recruiting new members.

The Socialist Party punches above its weight. Our recent victories continue to attract Corbyn supporters and working-class fighters, into our party.

More than Ł6,000 was raised for the building fund appeal, with many sacrificing more than a week's wages.

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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.

Inevitably, during the crisis we have not been able to sell the Socialist and raise funds in the ways we normally would.

We therefore urgently appeal to all our viewers to click here to donate to our Fighting Fund.