Been away 4 a while

Been away for a while, had flu (of the swine to get rid of variety); it had a lull, where it went away for a week and then came back even worse than before. Not nice.

Did not go to Socialism 2009, for personal reasons, so cannot give any indepth reportage this year. Still producing Newsletters for the small group of readers.

Looking forward to Christmas this year. Attended a friend’s 60th birthday party. It was very good, some people came in costumes and sixties music played in the background.

Jessica Ennis World Champion

Have just watched the video clips of Jessica Ennis winning her heptathalon event in the World Championships in Berlin.

She has done her [our] home city Sheffield proud. Only last year she was sitting at home nursing her injured foot, unable to take part in the Olympics in Beijing and now she is to be crowned World Champion.

I have emailed ALL of [our] Sheffield City Councillors, urging them to give her a civic welcome on her return and make her a Free Woman of the city in recognition of her wonderful achievement.

See the BBC video (of her two days record) yourself at:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/8203911.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/8203911.stm

Not getting many readers

Over the past few months my readers graph has been flat-lining. If I were a patient in an intensive care unit, the medical staff would have turned off my life support and contacted a reputable firm of undertakers!
Mind you there are such a panoply of sites nowadays for people to read and blog on. The one I find hardest to understand (as to its popularity) is Twitter. 140 characters, what is that all about – how can you write anything of any worth in 140 characters. All you can do is write banalities or redirects to blogs you have written elsewhere, so why bother. And how long does your post last for ? How long before what you have written is no longer visible to anyone?
I suspect not very long. So you have to be a real nerd to keep up to date with what is being written. And what’s that “following” all about? People choosing to have your posts appear on their access screen. It’s just designed to ensure internecine verbal warfare.

On The Miss Rule in Snooker

For AnFedrus  (of 606)

Further to what I already wrote previously. Your question asked “give an example of where an object ball remains where it has moved to”. That’s a tough one. In some senses the wording of the ruling can be seen as a cover-all for the referee, such that if someone were to show [as can be done with Hawkeye] where the balls were and be able to demonstrate that the referee had “failed” to restore -”one or more”- balls to their original position, then the ruling covers the referee’s back, in that the replacing of balls – where high technology is NOT available – (the vast majority of snooker matches that are refereed); then the referee’s “oversight” is legitimatised by this ruling. The question as to whether a ball moved by a foul shot should be left where it is, is not one that promotes the “allowance” of: “Moving balls and getting away with it”. To me as I said the ruling is merely so that the referee is covered if [he] fails to see where “a ball or balls” were prior to an offending shot. A player or spectator may subsequently point out that a referee “failed to replace balls X, Y, and Z. But the main thrust of the ruling is (as it should be) that the replacing of balls is entirely at the referee’s discretion. With no high technology to assist a referee in the majority of cases, after a player has clattered balls all over the place, the referee having called a miss, will only have done so according to the stipulations set out in the miss rulings. One of those stipulations is that “in the referee’s opinion – there was a direct line between the cue ball and the/an object ball.” This means that (in the referee’s opinion) the shot played by the offending player was: (a) trying to take a route that would give the offending player a better advantage. E.g. come off two cushions, glance off [a red] and finish up in baulk, possibly even snookering his opponent, WHEN a more simple “direct” route was available. There are many ways a player can play a “FOUL” shot. A Push shot where the player makes contact with the cue ball, whilst the object ball is in contact with the cue ball. A player might play a push shot: having potted a red ball, and attempting to snooker with a delicate touch up to a colour ball A player might double-hit the cue ball trying to force a cannon snooker from behind one object [red or colour] ball, to behind another colour ball. A player can foul by trying to roll up behind a colour ball (legitimately) but the cue ball does not travel far enough In all those three examples, A referee calls the shot “FOUL AND A MISS” because the player – in [his] opinion: “did not make sufficient effort to play a legitimate shot”. The Miss Rule is a good rule as it outlaws deliberate fouls by an unscrupulous player who would otherwise put his opponent at a disadvantage by deliberately construing a foul shot that left his opponent (snookered say) on the on ball. Another possible incident could be a player, whilst using a rest (and or) extentions, fails to remove them in time and causes a ball (or balls) to run into them as they lay on the table. The cue ball failing to hit the on ball. The referee is fully entitled in such an instance to call not merely a FOUL but a FOUL AND A MISS. Also if you read the ruling: [from http://www.worldsnooker.com/rules_of_snooker.htm] >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> (f) After a miss and a request by the next player to replace the cue-ball, any object balls disturbed will remain where they are unless the referee considers the offending player would or could gain an advantage. In the latter case, any or all disturbed balls may be replaced to the referee’s satisfaction and in either case, colours incorrectly off the table will be spotted or replaced as appropriate. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> The ruling is trying to cover any eventuality. A player in playing a FOUL shot that the referee also then deems as a “FOUL AND A MISS”, may have sent the cue ball around the table slightly moving one other ball and finishing in almost the same place as it was originally. If that one ball moved slightly DOES NOT now improve the offending player’s options, the referee can decide to leave it where it is. If however it improves the offending player’s options, the referee can (rightly) decide to replace it where it was before the cycle of replaying the shot can recommence. It is also important to note that: Where snookers are not required, or even if the fouling score generates a “snookers required” situation; the referee warns the player PRIOR to a THIRD offence, that to repeat the FOUL will result in the “loss of the frame/game/match, (whichever pertains). This usually brings the players to their senses and [they] then opt to play the “easier” legitimate shot they had been obduring to play.

Quick Input #111

Am currently reading a book that someone sent me as an Adobe file. It is over 500 pages long. It is called: The Web of Debt, written by Ellen Hodgson Brown J.D.
Don’t know what the “J.D.” stands for.
It is an expose of the financial system in US/UK/ Western civilization at first reading I could not stop until I had read over 250 pages.
If you would like a copy give me your email and I’ll send it as an attachment.

Socialist Party National Conference 2009 Report

Socialist Party National Congress 2009

Agenda

Saturday 14^th March

Time	Total Duration	Subject
10.00am – 10.30am	30 min	Chair’s introduction
10.30am - 12.30am	5 hours 10 min	World Economic Crisis and perspectives for Britain
12.30 – 1.30pm	1 hour	Lunch
1.30 – 3.00pm		Britain continued
3.00 – 3.20pm	20 min	Tea & Coffee Break
3.20 – 5.00pm		Britain continued
5.00 – 6.30pm	1 hour 30 min	Evening Meal Break
6.30 – 8.30pm	2 hours	RMT European Election challenge

Sunday 15 March

Time	Total Duration	Subject
9.00 – 11.00am	4hours 10min	Party Building
11.00 – 11.20am		Tea and coffee break
11.20 – 12.30		Party Building continued
12.30 – 1.00pm	30 min	Financial Appeal
1.00 – 2.00pm		Lunch
2.00pm – 3.00pm		Party Building cont
3.00 – 3.30pm	30 min	Finance Report
3.30 – 4.00pm	30 min	Elections for: National Committee; Appeals Committee and Auditors
4.00 – 4.30pm	2 hours	Youth fight for jobs – session on youth student work – focusing on this campaign
4.30 – 5.00pm	30 min	Tea and coffee break
5.00 – 6.30pm		Youth fight for jobs continued
6.30 – 8.00pm	2 hours 30 min	Building in the trades unions and workplaces

Monday 16^th March

Time	Total Duration	Subject
9.00 – 10.00am		Trades Unions continued
10.00 – 12.00pm	2 hours	Publications
12.00 – 1.00pm	1 hour	Lunch Break
1.00 – 4.00pm	3 hours	Europe in crisis, including a report on the CWI sections

The conference kept pretty much to this agenda only making changes to the break times when sessions had overrun.

Saturday

British Perspectives

“Imagination is more important than knowledge……” [Einstein]

Marx had imagination in spades, he objectivised capitalism and projected the booms and slumps. Recently even capitalists are admitting Marx was right.

Alan Greensbaum [former Head of Federal Reserve] has turned against Keynesianism – using financial priming to stimulate economy.

Nationalists [of differing countries] are scrambling for benefits for themselves on the global stage. Protectionism cannot save the future of each country.

[We] are opposed to this system because it cannot deliver the goods and in a crisis becomes internecine – (country against country).

The total loss (in the money markets) amounts to 50,000 billion dollars which is equivalent to the total world production. Estimated that [globally] 30 million workers will be made unemployed.

Even the ruling classes have been demoralised.

Merrill Lynch : (stated) ……..“(from) Finance banker to individual investor has lost [their] compass and direction……”

Larry Summers: (Obama adviser)……… “ a new system is needed…”

The direst of predictions are becoming commonplace.

[We] do not want to appear as the prophets of doom, as [our] class will suffer the most.

Looming General Strike in Ireland; in France [they] are trying to derail (socialist) movement.

We are now entering into what Leon Trotsky referred to as the domino period. In China – even at 8% growth, is in recession in light of the turbo-charged economy that used to be.

We are at the beginning of a pre-revolutionary period. The hammer blows which will strike the workers will compel the working class to beat a way to our door.

The Lindsey [Oil Refinery] dispute raised the profile of the Socialist Party.

Like a concerto the elements combine. The British Government are the most craven of the capitalist world, went over lock stock and barrel to the US model.

Can capitalism re-establish an equilibrium ?

The stewards of the system have no idea themselves. There is no going back to the fireworks of the 1990’s, and [the crisis] will leave in it’s wake suffering nations.

There will be a series of drawn out crises. Despite the avalanche of facts and figures – there is a feeling of a phoney war. Crisis began in the financial sector is now in the real economy.

German economy suffering more than British – [they] ignored the earlier warning signs.

20% of GDP is British stimulus package. Capitalism is at war. [Capitalists] Their efforts may have a cushioning effect.

The “paradox of thrift”, [they] can pump credit into banks but are (businesses) going to use that credit if already cannot sell goods ?

Creating Zombie banks that are not moving despite the [injection] of cash.

In 3 months unemployment has risen by 300,000 in China. China and the US are locked together. China holds thousands of millions of dollars [in US] which they fear to withdraw in case it brings down the US economy.

There is no possibility of British manufacturing recovering in the near future.

Foreign industry has taken over British industry.

A Trillion dollars taken out of the Bank of England in last three months.

Capitalists want inflation.

Storing up huge debts is generational theft , and cuts and taxes will come later, with what amounts to putting future generations in hock.

Fear of workers, [an avalanche of loss of jobs] is being used by government to exploit their working conditions.

Unions are in compliance, at Toyota unions accepted a 10% wage cut.

Position of construction industry – worst in 90 years.

White collar workers, architects, lawyers, are being made redundant.

Accumulated debt means an attack on civil service.

Capitalism always finds a way out…. is not the full quotation.

“Capitalism always finds a way out – on the bones of the working class.”

Attacks on the state sector are criminal, they are intended to remove a rallying point.

Our watchword must be : This is your crisis – you pay for it, not the workers.

If part privatization [occurs] this will signal full privatization.

Union leaders comply with capitalism and support Labour by not supporting workers struggles.

“American people ideologically opposed to state intervention….” , but if people are shown that socialist methods work they may support it.

No emigration escape (as in 1930’s) – now the whole world is in crisis – nowhere to go !

Not unexpected that nationalism and racialism will come to the fore in struggles.

Labour (by polls) doomed, an election in April unlikely with avalanche of redundancy.

Lib Dems are practicing “war games” in negotiations [they] would conduct with Labour or Tories in case of a national government.

In 1930-32 Nazis doubled their vote.

A threat of BNP is mentioned (in press) but do not mention revolutions in Germany and Spain.

New Mass Workers Party is needed. [We] have to maintain our drive and increase members.

Security apparatus being built up – Police surveillance the most in this country.

Task is to build a Mass Party – an exciting period for socialism and Marxism.

Significance of Lindsey [Oil Refinery]. Strike was the first of the crisis.

A victory against dumping, and a race to the bottom. Against importation of cheap labour.

At height, 22 sites throughtout UK [Eng.,Scot.,Irish,Wales]

Demonstrated power of working class, élan and enterprise of working class.

Demanded Strike Committee were involved in negotiations.

Much made [in media] of nationalist tone of strike. Engineering Construction workers are a militant group of workers; 99% male; 99% white. Working mainly away from home, mainly older workforce.

Shop stewards recommended [workers] remain in procedure, workers walked and [they] resigned.

Seized on by media as the -“British Jobs for British Workers” – strike.

Workers bounced BNP off the picket line.

Workers wanted national wage agreement maintained.

Battle has to be won again and again.

[Our] job – to draw out the positive and put forward a form of demands that are not regressive.

Now seen as myths that emerging economies (Japan,China,Brazil) would bring us out of recession – was utopian with all the contradictions China contains.

Last year has shown, this crisis is severe. Global economy is likely to shrink for the 1^st time since 1^st World War.

A few months ago Latin America was talked of as being “immune” from crisis.

Pakistan likely to default on foreign loans.

Cannot use a mathematical formula to predict the length and depth of recession.

In Taiwan 32% fall in production, emerging economies have been dealt a great blow by loss of trade, as western countries apply “hidden protectionism”.

Also in Europe undisclosed debts in Eastern Europe, because of closer ties – Italy, Austria and Germany are suffering bad debts.

Bourgeois talked about a “credit crunch” as if it came from Mars.

Debts of China said to dwarf those already exposed in West.

Japan is bust, 48% of young workers are on temporary contracts – what will happen when they lose their jobs ?

Victorian times – pyramid selling was small fry compared to now.

Speed of the down turn has taken capitalism by surprise.

1 million homes in Spain empty, 1 million construction workers lay idle.

In Spain want “structural reforms” = push down wages and reduce number of workers.

In US 12% are behind on mortgage, with sub-prime rises to 23%.

200 Million pushed into extreme poverty.

In Cambodia, 30,000 jobs lost in clothing industry, 500,000 lost in China.

Jubilation after collapse of Communism has evaporated.

French workers held Sony boss hostage, learned the lessons of 1968.

In Russia [fear of protest] made regime repressive. A “passive protest” with blank posters – protesters put in jail for 5 days.

Youth fight for jobs – get organized and get real revenge.

Construction Industry – prediction o 450,000 jobs cuts.

Predictions of small level of [job] losses rely on Government spending being maintained, which [we] know is unlikely.

Private companies struggling to raise funds and maintain targets.

Amidst a need for social housing 4.5 million waiting for accommodation.

Architectural graduates expect only 5% to get jobs.

Every country (esp. Spain) seeing construction industry struggle.

Banking crisis of financial system- goes back before de-regulation.

Capitalism says Keynesianism for consumers. Dole out money to those likely to spend it rather than save it. On Globalisation basis can this work?

Shadow debt [that yet to emerge] – $69 Trillion. $1.9 Trillion have been pumped into banks.

Real risk of global depression. [Need to] build cadres.

Will be a massive crisis in Britain. Instead of bailing out bankers, bail out those who are due to be repossessed.

Dissident groups in Northern Ireland picking up support and are organizing on an autonomous basis. Sinn Faen has become an establishment party.

Northern Ireland experienced a boom in last 10 years, that has come to a halt, jobless have sky-rocketed. Peace process was based on war exhaustion – IRA and British could not beat each other. Institutionalized sectarianism at top cannot bring lasting peace.

Will be strike actions in [south], jobs massacre in [north] , attack on public sector.

(Catholic youth) being drawn to dissident groups. Armed struggle deepens sectarianism.

Obama (and Mandelson) made noise about green car industry – but actually only made minor implementations. 18% of greenhouse gases come from car pollution. The technology exists for sustainable cars – hydrogen and battery – but governments have failed to support.

Need more workers to create changeover. Electric cars and hydrogen cars require sustainable energy production. Need nationalization of car industry.

Conflicts opening between Germany and France in Car Industry. Redundancies of temporary/Asian/migrant workers – showed failure of Unions – who knew these redundancies were imminent.

Redundancies did not follow set procedures, jobs were saved only on a temporary basis. Industry taking advantage of crisis to cut jobs and wages.

Lay-offs which are taking place and 10% pay cuts – will not save industry.

Turn anger towards union activism.

RMT to put £45,000 into “No to Europe, Yes to Democracy”

Against “social dumping” in maritime sector. Deutche Bahn control most of freight across Europe. 2006 went to TUC with oppose European Constitution – content is anti-working class. Under impact of financial crisis and recession, is absolutely essential that trade unions say there is a fight going on, and European Constitution is a cause of social dumping.

[We] (RMT) recognize need a political platform. Growth and Stability Pact promotes deflationary measures. None of main political parties will criticize EU constitution.

Lisbon Treaty abolishes democracy under the Passerelle Clause (where) can bring in more powers without recourse to democracy.

M.E.P. becomes a millionaire in 5 years ( £70,000 up to £120,000 per annum)

In past 20 years democracy has been eroded, it is not an abstract term and [they] (EU) are trying to take it away from us.

Lisbon Treaty – attacks democracy (6797 directive to privatize Postal Service).

[We] (RMT) can stand in as many constituencies as possible – web site for donations.

63% of women seeking work. Will be a fight between men and women for jobs. Possibilities for recruitment is great.

90 day notice of sack, then offered jobs back with a 34% cut in wages [at Argos].

30,000,000 people have lost jobs in China.

In India half-a-million acres of land to be grabbed and given to capitalists.

CPIM (communist party of India) control West Bengal where experienced most repression. The Left will be subjected to greater pressures.

Cutbacks in pay and loss of pensions and loss of home – estimated at 400,000 – which could in reality be millions. We need to fight on both fronts.

Thatcher’s “home owning democracy” was always a myth – only shifted ownership to banks. People still want to get on property ladder, but lending needs to ease. 4 million people waiting for council housing. Government could be forced into building council/social housing. With public finances as they are will have to keep pressure on government.

There is a solution. [In Cardiff] campaigning against repossessions – nationalise banks.

Care sector has highest levels of abuse. Media focuses on abuse stories. Councils are closing care homes and reducing budgets.

Many workers paid minimum wage and zero hour contracts, high turnover, working long hours to afford to live. Working 85 hours a week: putting residents and workers at risk. Many work 13 hour shifts.

Action: working to rule and walking out is being talked about. Insults from management saying should feel lucky they are in a job.Care sector rotten to the core.

In London will be a confrontation with RMT. Need to develop our programme, that is ahead of the consciousness – not too far to be utopian, but to keep workers ahead.

What is capitalisms Future? asked in Financial Times. Our future will have greater government intervention. [We] will come up against obstacles. Will UK be a good credit risk? (i.e. investing in Government Gilts)

Quantative easing – leads to banks swallowing up money and an inflationary crisis. Only a short term measure that will merely slow the slump. Millions worried about their future whether ruling classes or working class. Need to apply Marxist ideas in a transitional manner. Workers committees needed, ideas of 1930’s need to be brought forward to today.

Teachers need to accept to increase number of teachers. Make sure local authorities are democratic authority. Elastic of credit – has been snapped back with great force. Main tasks is to articulate deep revulsion of politics of New Labour. Hope this day is a turning point, where RMT came and begun to bury New Labour. This major recession is a vindication of Marxism and exposes preposterous lie that capitalism has “done away with boom and bust”.

[Has been] Employers offensive which preceded recession, attacks on wages and rights of workers. Within sections of the labour movement, in current recession, can be a disincentive for workers to fight – due to threat of loss of jobs. Lindsey workers defied anti-union laws.

Welsh teachers fought for parity (across the spectrum of education workers), when were threatened, response was overwhelming majority for strike action.

Need to be aware of problems, and be aware of ability of workers to fight.

There is no answer to the question: How deep and how long will recession be?

50 Trillion dollars has disappeared when the whole world is worth 100 Trillion dollars, so half has been lost.

Capitalists [in recent decade] have got away with pushing credit without creating an inflationary effect.

[The] “Impossible has become the inevitable without going through the improbable.”

We are getting to the limits of what governments can do. Even Chinese worried – if issue $1 Trillion, $2 Trillion, then dollar is going to devalue.

In UK £1,457 Billion current credit card debit, which will be augmented by unemployment. Credit card interest rates have risen 3% to 17%(or), 18%(or), 20%.

Illegal loan sharks have increased (up) 50% in Glasgow. Landlords who default on mortgages cause homelessness of people who pay their rent !

Up to 10, 000 people are at risk of such secondary homelessness.

Defend victims against vulture capitalism.

Capitalism is kicking the working class, but there is a vacuum in representation. In Britain Trades Unions need to be involving in New Workers Party. 2,000 people in Labour Party admit need a new party.

Job centre security guards defending people from nothing.

Media (recently) shocked by shootings in Germany, (15 dead by young boy who shot himself), but more worrying are developments in Northern Ireland.

Working class rise in NEET’s: Not in Employment Education or Training.

Anger and frustration (of young) turned back on themselves, self harm, anorexia, suicides all have rising figures. Youth crime has increased. [We] played an important role in school student strikes of 1985.

Media whipping up fear of a summer of rage. SWP calling for riots. G8 protests in 1987 had anarchist elements. In Gaza protests (in January), there was police repression. Give bold leadership to young.

Underline how crucial – intervention in Lindsey dispute. Argue to join other left sections to be involved with RMT to be involved in slates for elections to EU. [We] opposed to EU since inception. In 1975 EU referendum took place, [we] opposed. Organized protest march, under banner opposing EU, calling for a workers Europe. 1979 stood in elections – first time Trotskyism put to broad masses. In Liverpool – a world record – not a single person voted in a booth. Is [now] a consciousness that EU is anti-worker in it’s directives – regarding privatisation of Post Office/ Royal Mail.

Bourgeois will try to crush RMT. Will try to organise scab workforce – if seven disputes are united into one.

A failed Bonapartist regime exists in Britain. Oppose BNP in all areas. UKIP and BNP votes are protest votes due to vaccuousness of three main parties.

“One step forward for working class is worth 12 programmes..” [Trotsky]

RMT did not fully consult.

[We] would take up a position if elected to MEP position.

They [RMT] want union representation. With unstable allies – will it succeed ?

Told by Bob Crow [RMT Gen. Sec.] unions are lining up to join this slate. Cannot count on unions – could collapse soon after birth. Bob Crow is not a good media performer. Ask for support of this initiative to engage working class. For step in the right direction of a worker’s party. [We] are going in with our eyes open, but despite failings, support, as a significant move by RMT. [We] have problems as to how we act on political arena as no expected General Election. Ordinary people calling for standing members, to stand against [main parties] in elections. Would look stupid if back down after calling for a new worker’s party, if then step back at first opportunity.

Remind Communist Party they opposed EU with [us] long ago.

Only two months ago Bob Crow said “we cannot become councillors”

PCS [union] cannot back the campaign (due to present rules on political funding) . FBU [union] may join. Respect – not signed up so would oppose us in elections. CWU [union] due to Post Office privatisation – (talk of) – split with Labour and use (political funding) money to stand candidates against MP’s who did not oppose privatisation.

Many inadequacies, not a launching of New Worker’s Party. Bob Crow says that is a temporary alliance. Logic (is) – if in Euro elections – why not in local and national elections?

Select combative demands, expose the bankruptcy of Labour Party.

We need to oil up the rusty vehicle RMT is offering.

In wrong hands programme is nationalist. Details that have to be resolved. An opportunity. [SWP] only interested in processes they can control.

All other work we have been involved in has made others watch us and invite us. Let’s engage, participate and see. Can continue to develop our forces for a New Worker’s Party.

Motion for PCS to support Trades Union Candidates has gone through. Amount of Labour Party in structure of PCS, act as a soft brake on movement for democratic change. And [their] pressure amounts to: “Vote for Labour to Oppose the BNP…”

European elections is passing over people’s heads. BNP does pose a threat in some wards. Labour and SWP have an alliance to vote Labour to oppose BNP.

TUC : say Labour saving jobs by “injecting” cash into economy, and to stand against [them] would split the vote and let in BNP.

Because of looming economic crisis and possibility of importing foreign workers – that has made RMT take this political step.

PCS are committed to not supporting a political party, so will not be able to make a decision until 2010.

Euro elections will pose a real problem due to size of the divisions (constituencies) and low turn out generally occurs.

How do we approach other unions?

PCS have motions to have funding for left parties, will be a debate and [hope] will be carried. PCS are trying to push this issue.

Not an opportunity to discuss all the issues.

Are limitations in name, programme,democratic structure and policy to not take up seats. [We] have not discussed European programatics since 1970’s (possibly).

European Rescue Fund – decried by Germans, who do not want to put into a big fund to finance losses. Ireland is tied to European central bank so selling Irish gilts cannot help job losses in Ireland.

Will sign to say they will take MEP but not go to Brussels – messy not ideal.

Unions will have to ask : Who do you support? A list headed by the Labour Party or a list headed by Bob Crow?

Will polarize matters in Unison. No doorstep work – but public meetings, invite speakers to debate on matters and issues. Have to draw up concrete plans to take this to trades unions.

Unknown situation we would be entering. Would be going into this election with a better position.

Sunday

Party Building

Aim for 2000 membership this year. Overall membership stayed static, members joining canceled out by members leaving.

Get out of routineism. Our intervention in struggle is crucial.

Produced a national leaflet and intervened in Gaza demonstration(s). Small demonstrations organised in Lincoln and Northhampton. Student fees demonstrations. Keith Gibson’s role was important, but we intervened with a clear programme at Lindsey Oil Refinery.

Working class of Spanish Civil War defeated as did not have a clear programme – even though heroic.

At same time of reacting to local/national struggles, we need to increase profile of party.

Every activity, ask people if they want to join the party.

Aim for face to face follow up within 48 hours of interested contacts.

We want new generation, but want to welcome back members who have fallen away.

Recruiting from shop steward, unions, work place, inviting people to join.

Need one person to take responsibility to be in charge of recruitment. We want 10’s of thousands of members who are politically confident in [our] ideas. We want people to have a grounding in our ideas. Only reading books is not enough – experience in involvement in struggles along with day schools are required.

People have difficulties making meetings due to commitments outside of party. Strive to get balance right. Branches building blocks of party.

Target of 60 fully functioning branches, to have geographical cover.

Developing cadre; where each member has a responsibility – not just cheer-leading others who have all the responsible roles.

March for Jobs – Youth Fight for Jobs – must be supported.

Other issues, but [we] have to prioritise the campaigns,which we can put a lot behind.

We need to decide what we get involved in – but need to aim for 2000 membership.

People looking for Marxist ideas can join any party. Many [people] have not faced such a crisis in their lifetimes.

LGBT [Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender] communities will be affected by economic crisis. Strategy of Stonewall – awarding prizes to employers (shallow). Pink pound was illusory. Struggles will occur which will affect LGBT comrades. Future struggles will open up – in previous years [we] have been pushing the pace of issues. Importance of Fighting Fund organizers and paper sales. Develop the specialism of comrades. People will ask are you up to the task – we will show them by what we do.

Unite (£5,000), Unison(promised £5,000), ASLEF(chipped in £500) for Metro train campaign. Lobbying MP’s also lobbying of National Train Awards ceremony cost approximately £1 million. Prepared to adopt to ideas even if not [our] original idea [KMP campaign]

Anti-Privatisation candidate was mooted in January.

Olympics promises turning out to be empty. Anti-terrorist legislation being used to harass local youth. Poor deprived area where Olympics will be staged. Putting pressure to benefit the area.

Teachers are a good example of one person making a difference. Debate is no value if cannot be applied in practice.

[We] held together in 1990’s when capitalism appeared to be working. People now are buying paper. People are saying there must be an answer to financial crisis.

Youth can spark movements and revolution. Exeter branch is mainly students so collapses in holidays. Do stalls and picket lines. Exeter is a right-wing city. [They] are stunned but still buying in new shopping mall. No women in party – how to change this?

[Bangor] (Originally just one person) – Sit down and build a plan as to how you are going to build the party. [Now] members in several workplaces, branch is youthful in content. Large number of students, lack of TU members. Cluster around Bangor, spread out around North Wales. Attract people away from the dead-end of Welsh Nationalism.

30,000 women lost jobs at Woolworths but went quietly and no support from USDAW. Harder to get women to take steps to join and keep involved.

Need to have activities to attract women members and consider holding day time meetings; discuss issues that affect women in particular. Need for meetings for women in particular – e.g. Women in Recession; Attack on Lone-Parent benefits; Abortion (if Tories get in they could launch attacks on rights and provision)

Housing: Average price £200,000. 20% deposit is (therefore) £40,000. Use compulsory purchase orders to get back land from speculators/ supermarkets –who buy land to stop competitors moving in.

90% of population cannot fund homes for their children. 2.5 (average children per family) means need £100,000 to get a home for all the “average” family.

Where in Saudi Arabia, can get 15 years imprisonment for joining a trades union, a meeting of 500 people occurred, but person who arranged meeting was sacked by BAe. [Yakab] kept fighting for his job back and trades union rights. Asylum status (in Britain) was denied. MP’s, TU, Amnesty, and No Borders supported him. Calls for a move: union support for Asylum status for [Yakab] and family.

Party’s attitude to religion: Stand for a secular state but within that allow for religious belief. On Gaza got Socialist message across. Opposed to use of religion for oppression by ruling class. Hand-held flags for marches. Must intervene (in future issues) based on sound policies we have worked out. So as not to be seen as opportunist by those outside the party.

Youth caucus in low pay for retail workers, Gaza, student work, shop stewards network. Youth fight for Jobs campaign crucial for youth caucus. Will bring people in contact with party and socialist ideas.

Nottingham branch “international” composed. Talking of splitting branch.

Liverpool (when Militant ran Council) knocked down 5,000 unfit flats and built 5,000 new flats – built more municipal housing in four years (83-87) than this government in 12 years. Pensioners have right to proper care in their retirement. “Free Market is dead, not Socialism.” More sanity in this world – more people fighting for good not evil.

With small forces have achieved much. In 2007 only a handful of victories, in 2008 many more. Should not be hesitant to ask people to join our party. Enormous concern as to what next generation will face in regard to housing. YFFJ campaign keeps an eye on government policy. Trying to introduce Marxist ideas with “Marx was Right” meetings. Membership of CNWP (Campaign for a New Worker’s Party) is essential.

Emphasis in some campaigns will shift – from wage levels in public sector, to fight against jobs losses for example.

Have to weigh up, sometimes make compromises but stick to principles.

[SWP] in crisis – history of mistakes and does not analyse its mistakes.

[We] encourage political debate and discussion, and comrades to educate themselves.

Branches need to examine their weaknesses, to remove them and improve.

Workers can be recruited into branches of (mainly) young people.

Discussions outside branch meetings to promote women membership and attendance.

Personal religious belief compatible with membership. Approach in a careful way and have more material on it in publications.

Branches need to discuss how to improve recruitment. Need to listen to what contacts want and to hear where they are coming from. Branch meetings are important, but individual discussion also important.

Endorse resolutions of LGBT caucus.

We are small in relation to tasks ahead, but can be confident, with way tide is turning and growing consciousness of failings of capitalism, and what alternatives along socialist ideas are possible, and so can be confident going forward.

Periods of un-favourability and favourability will occur, there is (current) shock effect, but shocking people into wanting an alternative to capitalism.

Can be confident and determined moving forward.

Democratic structures and finance awareness are a responsibility of each member. Ask regularly for donations. Support financially – every member (if) contributed would transform Fighting Fund.

National Committee

Not recommended major changes. Teresa McKie wants to step down.

1 Ross Saunders }

2 Greg Maughn } Candidate Committee

3 Matt Dobson }

National Committee deficiencies: (a) Not enough women; (b) No Black and Asian comrades.

YFFJ Campaign

Biggest issue for a generation. Even after recession will still be a residue of unemployment. (Current) National average of 10 “seekers” for every job.

Even limited job creation is dwindling. Olympics – only 15 apprentice jobs offered. £60.50 per week increased to £70.50 – Job Seekers Allowance.

University students getting thousands of pounds in debt, with little prospect of a job to pay off debt. [That] Young people will be involved in explosive actions is a possibility. Not massive turnout in recent meetings, but this is a long term commitment. Has enthused young members, have dressed up and stood in streets – outside Labour Conference. Getting press publicity. Even older workers showing sympathy. Right to free education important strand. NUM have supported, RMT backing it, Prison Officers Union may back it. Left TU can be pushed to support YFFJ.

April 2^nd ( unfortunately a Thursday) March for Jobs.

Through 4 boroughs of London, past parliament, ending where G20 summit to be held. Other organizations are likely to protest (on their own agenda).

Need to support our comrades in Universities.

Amount of inertia amongst young people, as they wonder what they can do about their future. Sections of youth will be impacted differently. Experiment at this stage as to how to involve youth. Each stage generalise the campaign.

Galvanise for G20 summit on 2^nd April. Saturday before, TU demo.

Newcastle students who took part in occupation(s) facing disciplinary action >>Need support<< when take place after any sanctions imposed.

Most students are not politically motivated, but are interested in YFFJ

Many issues: higher utility costs, rent costs, link into student life.

University used dirty tactics to break occupation, closing toilets and preventing food getting in.

Cambridge began with 13, Palestine Society, Islamic Society, got involved. Had 120 people turn up, only one spoke against, rest were up for occupation. Officials said “you are not representative”. Need to link the issues. Fees demo was first outside of NUS. Approach Unions shop stewards to ask what youth jobs campaigns they have initiated.

Brighton (ex Poly) university – difficulties with mainly working class body. Other (university) mainly middle class, has had a better response. Abortion to Racism covered in their campaign.

Cardiff: “Capitalism causes tensions that lead to its own destruction” [Marx]

What has capitalism done for our youth? Pushed into university on reason : that’s how you get a job. “Fight for our future” gig.

Peripheral workers, ancillary workers in University can be drawn into this campaign. Mood of hopelessness – need to channel into positive – young people are getting angry.

Youth Fight For Jobs started in Walthamstow, organised to get youth to have ambition. If there is no money for the people (instead of Trident, Nuclear Power and bailing out banks) what is there money for?

[Student Care Assistant] “18 year old in charge of life and death situations.”

Among PCS YFFJ is a welcome initiative.

Call centre workers experiencing job cuts 20,000 were expected to be lost.

Management quick to penalize workers over break times that exceed 10/15 minutes. Young PCS getting serious about issues that affect them. Young workers asking why should we pay for the financial crisis.

PCS (even) and SWP in Love Music Hate Racism, using this as a Trojan horse to recruit youth members.

Youth going to be hit hard and meanest by recession.

Labour promised Education (x3), only given Asbos , closed down youth centres, slave wage jobs and debt for thousands of youth (students).

Opportunity to involve youth for causes in future.

[Leicester young speaker] Leicester branch dominated by older comrades, hard for youth to gain initiative, but (recently) young members took action which got young people interest and support. Young people do care about issues that affect them and do not trust mainstream parties.

YFFJ established in Huddersfield: Try new ideas out.

[Teaching comrade] (Govmnt.) Telling people to prepare for “up to” 20 jobs in their lifetimes. Insidiously indoctrinating “No Job Security”, pushing a

neo-liberalism ideology. (Govmnt.) Trying to demoralize youth (deliberately).

Youth have a consciousness that is not always what the government wants it to be.

[Most who took part in the YFFJ discussion joined the party in the last 18 months.]

TU Committee

SP TU members to have a national conference of the TU Committee.

Elemental forces clashed in Lindsey (Oil Refinery) dispute.

Shop Stewards Network important tool, a genuine network that can be used in future. There is mileage to be had out of SSN.

Our paper important instrument in union disputes.

“One is a nutter, two is a trend, three is a definite tendency.”

[We] are swimming with the stream, the rank and file are with us.

Private sector taking advantage of recession to implement job cuts, wage cuts, hourly reductions before the workforce have managed to draw up a fight against such measures.

[We] don’t want TU officials on high remuneration negotiating pay cuts for the workers.

Discussions (recently in media) about the miners strike 25 years ago. Arthur Scargill was prepared to struggle.

NUT conference in Easter. (Went from) One day strike to absolutely nothing.

In battles on pensions, need a strategy beyond first action. Need action on pay and conditions. Want to recruit (teachers) to party, to get a broader mass.

Leadership positions (in NUT) up for grabs in Autumn. Comrade to stand for president of NUT.

RMT has a clause for social transformation of society. Members are aware there is a plot to dismantle union. Take whip out of hand of bosses and give them a whipping. Labour and Tories would love to crush RMT. Been offered pay cut and job losses. There is bullying and intimidation. Strike committee elected – mid April proposed. Expecting negative commentaries in Right-wing press. ASLEF and TSSF likely not to support.

Leaflets to explain issues to passengers to gain support and counter defamatory propaganda.

Monday 16^th March

Welfare sector and trade unions will be under attack. NHS budget unclear after 2010. NHS (living standards) of staff, basic rights being undermined, yet huge increase in workloads. But UNISON bureaucracy , lack of tactics, only “consulting”. Refuse to coordinate, refuse to support action, actions against attacks. UNISON has no confidence in workforce and no strategy. Hopefully will be swept aside by militant young workforce.

Must establish a dialogue to help learn socialist ideas are best for the struggles ahead. Throw union bureaucracy into dustbin where they belong.

Car industry 200,000 directly involved 600,000 dependent on it. Every car plant has seen workers laid off. Accepting concessions, pay cuts of 10%*; pay freezes and shorter working week.

* Toyota accepted 10% pay cut.

Have real campaigning [ours] stands against capitulation. Need a patient and consistent approach. There is still a hangover from “partnership” strategy, needs to be swept aside from union and shop stewards.

Fight redundancies even when senior shop stewards not supportive.

Bad unions are not prepared to fight back.May not win but at least we are fighting.

Need to take advantage of this period to build membership. PCS has a key role to play battles. PCS 60% women. CNWP – PCS will support. Masive anger against government welfare reforms, ( Compulsory “Workfare”).

Will build party [SP] within PCS.

Timidity bordering on cowardice by union representation, UNISON lost 1,000 members in North West, combination of job losses and people turning away. Cannot get quorums for their A.G.M.’s . Organizations will crumble beneath them if they do not adopt a fightback strategy. Only making redundancy “toolkits” and “monitoring” redundancies, instead of fighting.

So called promised “meaningful negotiations” called off when workers go back after strikes.

Other strategies (used against) Schools based staff : taking them out of national bargaining. Eroding the influence of local representation. 2 years ago [left] made gains based on dissatisfaction. [We] understand working class people and know how to fight.

Unite has 2,000,000 membership. Swathe of job losses in Charities and “not for profit” organizations. 25% vote for David [Hicks] shows potential for left.

Always make sure members work through branches.

Not surprised youth feel exploited and hopeless – some of young trades unionists being prevented from taking active role in trade unions. Threat : if [you] become “active” in unions [you] will be “first to go”. Blindly pay union subs (young members) but do not know what [they] are doing for them.

Can get around restrictions on communication using Facebook.

2 power stations and one bus stop at Medway, a partial island. Polish workers have been on low wages. Neglected workers for three years, all could do was hold half-assed protest. GMB posturing to try and get Amicus members. Our job to find a bridge from where workers are now, to where [we] want them to be.

National Shop Stewards Conference 27^th June (at school in Campden) – need delegates to attend. And money not just for TU delegates but for workplace delegates.

Can use SSN to reach out wider than SP, has been other workers attracted.

Theme: Fight for Jobs – especially in private sector

Highlight and showcase Lindsey Oil Refinery dispute.

Workshops on Youth, Women in Recession.

Important to wage struggles in unions as 7 million in unions.

Unions use tactics of bullying and intimidation to silence SP members.

Will be court case of “UNISON 4” in May.

[You] might be an individual in workplace, but have SP around us. Need to recruit more union reps.

CWU against part privatization of Post Offices/[Royal Mail]

[We] have lead strikes – comrades must be seen as SP members. Role of [this] party will have growing significance.

Socialist Paper

Want people to write articles, comments, letters for publication in Socialist. Comrades experiences in work place, harassment in workplace from a boss.

Want humour. Language of everyday life. Comments on design. Room for improvement of subscriptions to paper. Average (per branch) public sales are 18 per week, 200 per quarter. Set sales targets for paper and Socialism Today.

Try to get publications in to bookshops, libraries; must not take them for granted.

Leaflets can be produced on a local/ regional basis. Input (relevant) photos using digital cameras. Important how we get our ideas across.

Encourage people to write to the Socialist paper. Important to read the paper before you sell it – so you can recommend articles.

Publications paper/magazine/books – a deep pool of knowledge. Not dry academic study, it is our history.

Website not intended to substitute paper, [it] helps contact people around the world.

Use technology to become worker “film correspondents”.

Get people on email lists, to become interested in subscriptions.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………..

By the afternoon session I was struggling against weariness and abandoned taking notes.

Michael Bartholomew

March 19 2009

Last Ten Games of the Season

There are ten matches left in the season. If a team win all ten – they boost their points by 30 points. So if Sheffield Wednesday – who are currently on 48 points and 12th in the [Championship] league- they would finish on 78 points and probably be guaranteed promotion to the Premier League. [We can all dream.]

Realistically we can aim for 15 points out of the potential 30, that would mean we’d finish with 63 points, probably (just) outside the play-off placings.

So I will content myself with the fact that -despite the theoretical possibility- Sheffield Wednesday will just fail to get back into the Premiership this year.

[They] have had a hard-working season, and need not be disappointed.

Post Offices their future

Here is my first blog. I have been active in a campaign in Sheffield to prevent the closure of 15 post offices. All 15 went ahead despite all the best efforts of members of the Socialist Party in Sheffield and a few [others] who used to be members of the Labour Party but have become disillusioned.

I was searching for articles in the Guardian related to Post Offices and came across one highlighting the recent moves by Lord Mandelson to try and turn the Post Office into a “people’s Bank” [see: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/feb/01/post-office-bank-mandelson]

Then I came across a blog by Lindsay Mackie  of the new economics foundation (nef) on WordPress [see: http://neftriplecrunch.wordpress.com/2009/01/21/post-offices-are-a-public-good/]

I also discovered  a collection of post office related blogs on WordPress at : http://en.wordpress.com/tag/royal-mail/

Then I noticed that to make my own blog would be easy and free. So I decided to do so. And voila my first blog is here.

Sheffield City Council are currently examining the options available for re-opening or restoring postal services in nine locations of the fifteen closures.

A campaigning body: SCAPOC was formed back in July 2008. This brought together postmasters and postmistresses who wanted to oppose closure of their post office, representatives from FSB [Federation for Small Businesses], union representation from the CWU, pensioners action groups, disability groups, the Green Party and the Socialist Party.

Here we are [March 2009] and we are still campaigning, though not in as visible “out-on-the-streets” way.  Sheffield City Council[SCC] are in the negotiating stance with Post Office Limited[POL]. SCC is also trying to find funding resources to make good on their election promises of 2008, where [in their manifesto] they opposed all post office closures. Sheffield City Council is now a Liberal Democrat Administration, since the elections of May 2008, where they gained the majority.

The main stumbling block is where the money will come from to fund the restoration of postal services in nine of the fifteen. One suggestion has been to push for the monies that go to [POL], to be redirected to Local Council budgets.  [POL] is undergoing changes in it’s structure and financing. The Goverment is presently commited to £1.2 billion of financing, though how long [in years] that amount is meant to cover, I as yet do not know.

POL point to the post offices they closed and label them all “loss making” yet somehow the four departments of Royal Mail is due to post profits [even in this recession!] that will be record breaking profits. So somebody is telling porkies.

I can’t access my emails

It is very frustrating. I can access any page in the web, but Yahoo is suffering technical problems. When I try to access my emails I simply get an Error Message………

A poster on one of Yahoo’s Answer pages told [us] of a back-door entry, for those of you who experience similar technical problems, here is the URL:

http://us.m.yahoo.com/p/mail

The service you get is basic. I write a newsletter and usually attach the Word document I have written. Well with this back door entry [you] can’t do any of that. [You] can read [your] emails and simply reply. [You] are not able to access [your] address book. But at least you can see what emails have arrived in your in-box whilst [you've] been away.

Sheffield Wedneday back to winning ways

Just a quick notice that 28th Feb Sheffield Wednesday won 4-2 !
Their form is erratic, and they are not climbing the table, from mid-way, but they are back to winning – after two losses. A few more wins and they may finish higher than they did last season.