Louise Nousratpour in Manchester
Wednesday Sep 24, 2008
The Morning Star
Convention of the Left: PALESTINE campaigners called on Britain and the US to negotiate with the democratically elected Hamas government on Wednesday and to press Israel to lift the devastating siege of the Gaza Strip.
The activists were attending an open debate at the Convention of the Left in Manchester entitled "If they can talk to the IRA, Why can't they talk to Hamas?"
Convention organiser and Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) activist Linda Claire acknowledged that there were stark differences between the IRA and Hamas.
But she stressed: "Britain has played a key role in isolating Hamas and I believe that the situation can be compared to Britain's role in Ireland and the IRA."
Terry Callogly, who was one of the international observers at the 2006 elections that brought Hamas to power, described the process as "extremely democratic" and condemned Israel and its allies' refusal to enter into talks.
"More than 70 per cent voted for Hamas, which is twice as much as the 36 per cent former prime minister Tony Blair got in the 2005 election," he pointed out.
"How can he turn around and say that Hamas is not a legitimate government. We must highlight the double standard and pressure our government to talk to Hamas because there is no road to peace unless we do that."
Anne Brown argued that the West and Israel would only be satisfied if "Palestinians continued having elections until they elect a Western puppet regime that will do as it is told."
Martin Brown branded Israel "a proxy state, policing the Middle East on behalf of the US, Britain and European imperialism in search of profits. Peace is not profitable, but war is."
Dorothy Forbes of Campaign Against the Arms Trade highlighted the strong influence that zionist lobbyists in the US have.
"US senators and politicians don't dare oppose Israel because they will lose their position," she noted.
Ms Forbes further expressed her support for the PSC call for a boycott of Israeli goods, adding: "We should also put pressure on arms companies to stop selling weapons to this murderous state."
Unions and activists link up to build mass climate movement
by LOUISE NOUSRATPOUR in Manchester
Tuesday September 23, 2008
The Morning Star
TRADE union and climate-change activists joined forces on Monday night to build a mass movement that would organise strikes and direct action to push ministers to adopt a low-carbon economy.
Speakers at the Convention of the Left stressed that the working class must be at the forefront of such a movement in order to take on the big corporations that control the world's resources and are the biggest polluters.
The threat of climate change is so great and urgent, speakers warned, that campaigns to encourage individual lifestyle changes, while admirable, will do little more than tinker around the edges.
Climate change academic Jonathan Neale said that "what we need is a mass campaign of workers and grass-roots organisations to transform the way we produce and consume energy."
Speakers agreed that the main focus must be on demands for the renationalisation of the energy sector and other key industries such as housing and transport.
Campaigners argued that the technology is available to shift the economy from being based on fossil fuels to one based on renewable energy.
They dismissed claims that a greener economy would mean massive job losses.
On the contrary, CWU senior deputy leader Tony Kearns argued, renewable energy would "create far more jobs."
The convention heard that wind power, for instance, creates 10 jobs per megawatt compared to one job per megawatt created in the fossil fuel industry.
Speakers said that it was understandable for trade unions with members in the nuclear and aviation industry to support job-creating airport expansions and plans for new nuclear power stations.
But anti-nuclear activist and scientist Martin Empson stressed that a united climate change campaign must bring the unions on board by making a strong case for the "huge potential" for job creation in the renewable sector.
Daniel Randall of Workers Climate Change, which grew out of the 2007 Heathrow climate camp, argued: "We need working-class solutions to the threat of climate change and trade unions must play the central role."
Tuesday September 23, 2008
The Morning Star
TRADE union and climate-change activists joined forces on Monday night to build a mass movement that would organise strikes and direct action to push ministers to adopt a low-carbon economy.
Speakers at the Convention of the Left stressed that the working class must be at the forefront of such a movement in order to take on the big corporations that control the world's resources and are the biggest polluters.
The threat of climate change is so great and urgent, speakers warned, that campaigns to encourage individual lifestyle changes, while admirable, will do little more than tinker around the edges.
Climate change academic Jonathan Neale said that "what we need is a mass campaign of workers and grass-roots organisations to transform the way we produce and consume energy."
Speakers agreed that the main focus must be on demands for the renationalisation of the energy sector and other key industries such as housing and transport.
Campaigners argued that the technology is available to shift the economy from being based on fossil fuels to one based on renewable energy.
They dismissed claims that a greener economy would mean massive job losses.
On the contrary, CWU senior deputy leader Tony Kearns argued, renewable energy would "create far more jobs."
The convention heard that wind power, for instance, creates 10 jobs per megawatt compared to one job per megawatt created in the fossil fuel industry.
Speakers said that it was understandable for trade unions with members in the nuclear and aviation industry to support job-creating airport expansions and plans for new nuclear power stations.
But anti-nuclear activist and scientist Martin Empson stressed that a united climate change campaign must bring the unions on board by making a strong case for the "huge potential" for job creation in the renewable sector.
Daniel Randall of Workers Climate Change, which grew out of the 2007 Heathrow climate camp, argued: "We need working-class solutions to the threat of climate change and trade unions must play the central role."
'We must win the fight on sell-off of public services'
by LOUISE NOUSRATPOUR in Manchester
Tuesday September 23, 2008
The Morning Star
ACTIVISTS at the Convention of the Left agreed on Tuesday that privatisation of public services was the most important issue facing the movement.
Convention organiser Norma Turner, chairing the meeting, said: "By fighting back against privatisation, we can deliver a direct attack on the capitalist system."
She stressed that the task of the British left was to convince the public of the argument for publicly owned services such as housing, education and transport.
"We must win the ideological battle that public is better, cheaper and fairer than private," she said.
"The government has cynically trashed public workers and services in order to promote privatisation and many ordinary people pay for private health care and their children's schooling because they believe they get a better service. These are the people we must try to win over," she emphasised.
Labour MP Jeremy Corbyn said that the government's piecemeal privatisation of public services through measures was "poisoning" the public sector.
Though the government has made massive investments in health and education, Mr Corbyn pointed out that much of the money has gone to subsidising private-sector involvement in public services.
"This kind of approach gives the impression that publicly owned services are inefficient, expensive and unattractive," he argued.
Mr Corbyn also slammed new Labour's housing policies and reiterated the movement's demand for "massive and unconditional" investment in council housing.
Alan Walter of Defend Council Housing called on trade unions and left groups to "step up pressure on the government for additional funding for the local authorities to renew existing council housing and to build more homes."
During a workshop on transport, activists demanded a fully integrated and publicly owned rail and bus system.
Scottish Socialist Voice editor Ken Ferguson went further, arguing that a free public transport system was the "biggest anti-poverty and pro-social inclusion policy any government can adopt."
He highlighted a recent report by the Scottish Tourist Board arguing that free transport would be an important measure in the fight against global warming.
Winding up the meeting, Mr Corbyn reminded conference that a mass campaign against water privatisation in Bolivia three years ago had led to the election of socialist President Evo Morales.
"The fight begins here!" he declared.
Tuesday September 23, 2008
The Morning Star
ACTIVISTS at the Convention of the Left agreed on Tuesday that privatisation of public services was the most important issue facing the movement.
Convention organiser Norma Turner, chairing the meeting, said: "By fighting back against privatisation, we can deliver a direct attack on the capitalist system."
She stressed that the task of the British left was to convince the public of the argument for publicly owned services such as housing, education and transport.
"We must win the ideological battle that public is better, cheaper and fairer than private," she said.
"The government has cynically trashed public workers and services in order to promote privatisation and many ordinary people pay for private health care and their children's schooling because they believe they get a better service. These are the people we must try to win over," she emphasised.
Labour MP Jeremy Corbyn said that the government's piecemeal privatisation of public services through measures was "poisoning" the public sector.
Though the government has made massive investments in health and education, Mr Corbyn pointed out that much of the money has gone to subsidising private-sector involvement in public services.
"This kind of approach gives the impression that publicly owned services are inefficient, expensive and unattractive," he argued.
Mr Corbyn also slammed new Labour's housing policies and reiterated the movement's demand for "massive and unconditional" investment in council housing.
Alan Walter of Defend Council Housing called on trade unions and left groups to "step up pressure on the government for additional funding for the local authorities to renew existing council housing and to build more homes."
During a workshop on transport, activists demanded a fully integrated and publicly owned rail and bus system.
Scottish Socialist Voice editor Ken Ferguson went further, arguing that a free public transport system was the "biggest anti-poverty and pro-social inclusion policy any government can adopt."
He highlighted a recent report by the Scottish Tourist Board arguing that free transport would be an important measure in the fight against global warming.
Winding up the meeting, Mr Corbyn reminded conference that a mass campaign against water privatisation in Bolivia three years ago had led to the election of socialist President Evo Morales.
"The fight begins here!" he declared.
Battling against anti-union laws
LOUISE NOUSRATPOUR hears the activists voicing their anger at the restrictions on the right to strike.
Monday September 22, 2008)
The Morning Star
Trade union activists are defying the anti-union laws by organising joint committees in the workplaces and linking up locally to co-ordinate action against spiralling wage cuts and job losses resulting from the economic crisis.
During an inspiring session on Where Now for the Unions? on Sunday, activists expressed anger and frustration at the legal restrictions on their right to take action to defend themselves.
Labour Representation Committee member Pete Firmin complained that strikes were organised in an "extremely regimented" fashion and often did not have the impact that they should.
As well as the anti-union laws, he blamed "trade union bureaucracy" for this.
Institute for Employment Rights director Carolyn Jones urged the convention to back the Trade Union Freedom Bill to repeal the anti-union laws, warning: "Otherwise, union membership will continue to decline.
"The Bill, although mild, modest and moderate, will put the collective back into our legal rights," she said.
PCS vice-president Sue Bond put forward key proposals on how to strengthen the role of unions in the workplace and minimise the impact of the economic crisis on working people.
"Unions must encourage joint workplace meetings and link up locally to strengthen rank-and-file organisation and unity," she stressed.
"It is also important to have political discussions about why there are cuts in the public services when billions are spent on war and why workers are forced to take a pay cut when their companies make massive profits."
Ms Bond described the co-ordinated action by public-sector unions in recent months as the "first small green shoots of unity in action and there is potential for much more."
In the first 11 months of Gordon Brown's premiership, there were 900,000 strike dates, even excluding the massive strikes in July and August, conference heard.
"In some unions, the bureaucracy don't like to come out of their comfort zone, but all unions are subject to pressure from below and this is where the left can play a vital role," Ms Bond added.
In addition to the anti-union laws, campaigners discussed electoral and organisational issues, with some calling for a break with Labour in favour of a new workers' party.
Others argued that this ran the risk of creating a divided movement.
Labour MP John McDonnell said: "I believe that this will be resolved through organisation and unity around key issues. To try and jump that fence will only split the movement and set us back."
He added: "We need to agree a common manifesto that we can take back to our communities and develop creative and effective strategies for co-ordinated action in the workplaces and in politics."
CWU delegate to the Labour conference Maria Exall told the convention that the left must offer a "working-class solution" to the economic crisis.
Speaking in a personal capacity, she said: "This is the time to make the argument for collective ownership when the US and Britain are breaking their own 'no state intervention' rule to rescue the bankers.
"It is tax-dodging big business that must pay for the crisis they have created, not the tax-paying working class."
Monday September 22, 2008)
The Morning Star
Trade union activists are defying the anti-union laws by organising joint committees in the workplaces and linking up locally to co-ordinate action against spiralling wage cuts and job losses resulting from the economic crisis.
During an inspiring session on Where Now for the Unions? on Sunday, activists expressed anger and frustration at the legal restrictions on their right to take action to defend themselves.
Labour Representation Committee member Pete Firmin complained that strikes were organised in an "extremely regimented" fashion and often did not have the impact that they should.
As well as the anti-union laws, he blamed "trade union bureaucracy" for this.
Institute for Employment Rights director Carolyn Jones urged the convention to back the Trade Union Freedom Bill to repeal the anti-union laws, warning: "Otherwise, union membership will continue to decline.
"The Bill, although mild, modest and moderate, will put the collective back into our legal rights," she said.
PCS vice-president Sue Bond put forward key proposals on how to strengthen the role of unions in the workplace and minimise the impact of the economic crisis on working people.
"Unions must encourage joint workplace meetings and link up locally to strengthen rank-and-file organisation and unity," she stressed.
"It is also important to have political discussions about why there are cuts in the public services when billions are spent on war and why workers are forced to take a pay cut when their companies make massive profits."
Ms Bond described the co-ordinated action by public-sector unions in recent months as the "first small green shoots of unity in action and there is potential for much more."
In the first 11 months of Gordon Brown's premiership, there were 900,000 strike dates, even excluding the massive strikes in July and August, conference heard.
"In some unions, the bureaucracy don't like to come out of their comfort zone, but all unions are subject to pressure from below and this is where the left can play a vital role," Ms Bond added.
In addition to the anti-union laws, campaigners discussed electoral and organisational issues, with some calling for a break with Labour in favour of a new workers' party.
Others argued that this ran the risk of creating a divided movement.
Labour MP John McDonnell said: "I believe that this will be resolved through organisation and unity around key issues. To try and jump that fence will only split the movement and set us back."
He added: "We need to agree a common manifesto that we can take back to our communities and develop creative and effective strategies for co-ordinated action in the workplaces and in politics."
CWU delegate to the Labour conference Maria Exall told the convention that the left must offer a "working-class solution" to the economic crisis.
Speaking in a personal capacity, she said: "This is the time to make the argument for collective ownership when the US and Britain are breaking their own 'no state intervention' rule to rescue the bankers.
"It is tax-dodging big business that must pay for the crisis they have created, not the tax-paying working class."
Women campaigners issue inequality warning
by LOUISE NOUSRATPOUR in Manchester
Monday September 22, 2008
The Morning Star
Convention of the Left:WOMEN campaigners called on the Convention of the Left conference in Manchester on Sunday to fight the "feminisation of poverty" and expose the ideologies that are used to perpetuate gender inequality.
During a lively debate, activists argued that women's key demands for equal pay, fair pension and affordable child care were all part and parcel of the wider class struggle and must be given the attention that they deserve.
Margaret Boyle of the National Assembly of Women urged the left to unite around the Charter for Women, which is a campaigning programme backed by most unions and some left groups.
Ms Boyle condemned new Labour's "deeply shameful" record on gender equality, noting that, over the past decade, the gender pay gap had widened and women representation at top levels had, at best, stagnated.
"This is a government that is supposedly on our side, but it has allowed bosses a veto on mandatory pay audits and has rejected our demand for permitting group action," she told the convention. "Labour's attack on lone parents, mostly women, is also disgraceful."
From November, the government will stop child benefits for lone parents with children aged 12 and over to force them back to work.
"Starved of cash, they will have to settle for shitty, low-paid jobs that have no future," Ms Boyle warned. "Another scandal is ministers' refusal to raise the state pension in line with earnings."
Socialist Review editor and trade unionist Judith Orr warned against dividing the movement along gender lines by "guilt-tripping" men.
"It is about class struggle, not gender," she stressed, adding: "Is Condoleezza Rice our sister? I don't think so."
The convention also criticised the trade union movement's failure to remedy its "male, pale and stale" image and called for more "women-friendly" structures to boost female representation.
Monday September 22, 2008
The Morning Star
Convention of the Left:WOMEN campaigners called on the Convention of the Left conference in Manchester on Sunday to fight the "feminisation of poverty" and expose the ideologies that are used to perpetuate gender inequality.
During a lively debate, activists argued that women's key demands for equal pay, fair pension and affordable child care were all part and parcel of the wider class struggle and must be given the attention that they deserve.
Margaret Boyle of the National Assembly of Women urged the left to unite around the Charter for Women, which is a campaigning programme backed by most unions and some left groups.
Ms Boyle condemned new Labour's "deeply shameful" record on gender equality, noting that, over the past decade, the gender pay gap had widened and women representation at top levels had, at best, stagnated.
"This is a government that is supposedly on our side, but it has allowed bosses a veto on mandatory pay audits and has rejected our demand for permitting group action," she told the convention. "Labour's attack on lone parents, mostly women, is also disgraceful."
From November, the government will stop child benefits for lone parents with children aged 12 and over to force them back to work.
"Starved of cash, they will have to settle for shitty, low-paid jobs that have no future," Ms Boyle warned. "Another scandal is ministers' refusal to raise the state pension in line with earnings."
Socialist Review editor and trade unionist Judith Orr warned against dividing the movement along gender lines by "guilt-tripping" men.
"It is about class struggle, not gender," she stressed, adding: "Is Condoleezza Rice our sister? I don't think so."
The convention also criticised the trade union movement's failure to remedy its "male, pale and stale" image and called for more "women-friendly" structures to boost female representation.
'Now we can all see cost of deregulation'
by LOUISE NOUSRATPOUR in Manchester
Monday September 22, 2008
Convention of the Left: LEFT-WING economists identified the government's "ruthless" deregulation of the financial sector and privatisation of key public services as the root cause of the "unprecedented" crisis on Monday.
Speakers at the Convention of the Left in Manchester called on the movement to create links with international unions and progressive groups to forge a global unified front and minimise the impact of the crisis on the working class.
They argued that the left could use capitalism's new-found love for market regulation and socialisation of the banking sector to force through demands for an end to the rampant free market and a return to a publicly owned and controlled economy.
Professor of Accounting Prem Sikka said: "The US and Britain are introducing socialism for the bankers and nasty capitalism for the rest of us to save their rotten system."
He condemned new Labour and the US government for heeding calls from big business for "light regulation on terms that are beneficial to the corporate world at the expense of the rest of us.
"In the City of London, there is an attitude that you can make massive profit without any consideration for the social cost. And now we can all see what the cost of deregulation is."
Scottish Socialist Party member and economics expert Raphie de Santos warned that Britain faced "a worst economic slump than the US" because Margaret Thatcher and, later, Gordon Brown as chancellor brought in "damaging" policies to postpone capitalism's inevitable boom and bust for as long as possible.
"They looked for homes for capital investment in traditional industries and, to stop overproduction, they created a gigantic credit bubble to enable people to continue buying even though, in reality, they could not afford to."
Mr de Santos stressed that the left must now make the case for "a rational economy" that is run under public control and not left to the whims of the market.
"George Bush has become the greatest socialist economist since Karl Marx," he said to much laughter.
"We must use this opportunity and tell those in power that, if you can spend billions on bailing out banks, why not nationalise key industries to create a more stable economy."
War On Want executive director John Hilary said: "The economic crisis is a global threat on so many levels and we must build a unified global front to prevail."
The latest World Bank figures show that 1.4 billion people in the world now live in extreme poverty, conference heard.
Monday September 22, 2008
Convention of the Left: LEFT-WING economists identified the government's "ruthless" deregulation of the financial sector and privatisation of key public services as the root cause of the "unprecedented" crisis on Monday.
Speakers at the Convention of the Left in Manchester called on the movement to create links with international unions and progressive groups to forge a global unified front and minimise the impact of the crisis on the working class.
They argued that the left could use capitalism's new-found love for market regulation and socialisation of the banking sector to force through demands for an end to the rampant free market and a return to a publicly owned and controlled economy.
Professor of Accounting Prem Sikka said: "The US and Britain are introducing socialism for the bankers and nasty capitalism for the rest of us to save their rotten system."
He condemned new Labour and the US government for heeding calls from big business for "light regulation on terms that are beneficial to the corporate world at the expense of the rest of us.
"In the City of London, there is an attitude that you can make massive profit without any consideration for the social cost. And now we can all see what the cost of deregulation is."
Scottish Socialist Party member and economics expert Raphie de Santos warned that Britain faced "a worst economic slump than the US" because Margaret Thatcher and, later, Gordon Brown as chancellor brought in "damaging" policies to postpone capitalism's inevitable boom and bust for as long as possible.
"They looked for homes for capital investment in traditional industries and, to stop overproduction, they created a gigantic credit bubble to enable people to continue buying even though, in reality, they could not afford to."
Mr de Santos stressed that the left must now make the case for "a rational economy" that is run under public control and not left to the whims of the market.
"George Bush has become the greatest socialist economist since Karl Marx," he said to much laughter.
"We must use this opportunity and tell those in power that, if you can spend billions on bailing out banks, why not nationalise key industries to create a more stable economy."
War On Want executive director John Hilary said: "The economic crisis is a global threat on so many levels and we must build a unified global front to prevail."
The latest World Bank figures show that 1.4 billion people in the world now live in extreme poverty, conference heard.
Peace activists predict 'dangerous times'
by LOUISE NOUSRATPOUR in Manchester
Monday September 22, 2008
The Morning Star
Convention of the Left: LABOUR Against the War campaigners called on the British left on Sunday to step up organisation in the local Stop the War branches to prepare for "dangerous times ahead."
MPs and activists at the Convention of the Left warned that the "war on terror" had cost countless lives in Iraq and Afghanistan and led to "wasteful" military expenditure and oppression at home.
They lambasted government plans to extend the pre-charge detention to 42 days and branded the Labour conference's refusal to discuss the wars "lamentable."
Chairing the session, Alan Simpson MP said: "When we formed LAtW, we warned that the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan would come home on to our own streets and into our own communities.
"Sadly, in every city across Britain there is evidence of that."
Conference heard the story of Hicham Yezza, who was detained under the Terrorism Act for helping a fellow university researcher download an al-Qaida training manual readily available on the US Department of Defence website.
He was released without charge after eight days, only to be immediately re-arrested on trumped-up immigration charges.
"My story raises alarm about the sort of society Britain is drifting into," warned Mr Yezza, who is currently fighting deportation.
"On campus, young Muslims are livid and scared. Those who know me say that, if it can happen to you, none of us are immune."
Jeremy Corbyn MP demanded a "fundamental re-evaluation" of Britain's foreign policy, which he said had led to "an increase in powers for security services in Britain and elsewhere."
Speakers attacked Foreign Secretary David Miliband's handling of the Georgia-Russia conflict, warning that his "warmongering comments" last month had raised the danger of another cold war.
Despite the gloomy predictions, the mood was extremely uplifting and campaigners expressed optimism about the future.
Young activist Peter Berry said: "Saturday was my first time on an anti-war demo. I think the success of the Stop the War movement has put US and Britain off attacking Iran."
John McDonnell MP said: "I do not think new Labour can secure a Parliament vote for another war."
Veteran socialist Tony Benn also rejected the defeatism of some in the movement, stressing: "We are up against powerful people and arms dealers who want war and profit from it. This is a long struggle."
Monday September 22, 2008
The Morning Star
Convention of the Left: LABOUR Against the War campaigners called on the British left on Sunday to step up organisation in the local Stop the War branches to prepare for "dangerous times ahead."
MPs and activists at the Convention of the Left warned that the "war on terror" had cost countless lives in Iraq and Afghanistan and led to "wasteful" military expenditure and oppression at home.
They lambasted government plans to extend the pre-charge detention to 42 days and branded the Labour conference's refusal to discuss the wars "lamentable."
Chairing the session, Alan Simpson MP said: "When we formed LAtW, we warned that the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan would come home on to our own streets and into our own communities.
"Sadly, in every city across Britain there is evidence of that."
Conference heard the story of Hicham Yezza, who was detained under the Terrorism Act for helping a fellow university researcher download an al-Qaida training manual readily available on the US Department of Defence website.
He was released without charge after eight days, only to be immediately re-arrested on trumped-up immigration charges.
"My story raises alarm about the sort of society Britain is drifting into," warned Mr Yezza, who is currently fighting deportation.
"On campus, young Muslims are livid and scared. Those who know me say that, if it can happen to you, none of us are immune."
Jeremy Corbyn MP demanded a "fundamental re-evaluation" of Britain's foreign policy, which he said had led to "an increase in powers for security services in Britain and elsewhere."
Speakers attacked Foreign Secretary David Miliband's handling of the Georgia-Russia conflict, warning that his "warmongering comments" last month had raised the danger of another cold war.
Despite the gloomy predictions, the mood was extremely uplifting and campaigners expressed optimism about the future.
Young activist Peter Berry said: "Saturday was my first time on an anti-war demo. I think the success of the Stop the War movement has put US and Britain off attacking Iran."
John McDonnell MP said: "I do not think new Labour can secure a Parliament vote for another war."
Veteran socialist Tony Benn also rejected the defeatism of some in the movement, stressing: "We are up against powerful people and arms dealers who want war and profit from it. This is a long struggle."
Activists seek support for bid to save two Iranian asylum-seekers
by LOUISE NOUSRATPOUR in Manchester
Sunday September 21, 2008
The Morning Star
Convention of the Left 2008: REFUGEE activists urged the Convention of the Left on Saturday to support campaigns by two Iranian asylum-seekers facing deportation.
The Child M Campaign was recently launched in support of an eight-year old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, and his family, who are facing removal.
"They face persecution if they are returned to Iran. They are accused of circulating Salman Rushdie's banned book The Satanic Verses," campaign spokeswoman Zoe Cantle told the conference.
The Home Office recently locked up M and his family for 51 days, conference heard. They were released two weeks ago and allowed to return to Manchester.
"We have heard reports about the harmful effects of detention on children," Ms Cantle said. "These effects were very visible in child M, who lost his hair and developed ringworm, as well as falling behind in school."
The family has launched a High Court challenge and the campaign has gathered over 1,000 petition signatures. "But we need your help to win this case," Ms Cantle said.
Let Bahman Stay is another campaign launched in Manchester against Home Office attempts to deport 16-year-old Bahman Mohammadi.
"In the wake of US military threats against Iran, the regime has stepped up efforts to recruit young people into its secret police force," campaign speaker Marian Sudbury said.
"Bahman refused to join the force and, fearing persecution, he soon had to flee Iran for Britain. Now, the British authorities want to sent him back. We urge you to support his campaign to remain here."
Sunday September 21, 2008
The Morning Star
Convention of the Left 2008: REFUGEE activists urged the Convention of the Left on Saturday to support campaigns by two Iranian asylum-seekers facing deportation.
The Child M Campaign was recently launched in support of an eight-year old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, and his family, who are facing removal.
"They face persecution if they are returned to Iran. They are accused of circulating Salman Rushdie's banned book The Satanic Verses," campaign spokeswoman Zoe Cantle told the conference.
The Home Office recently locked up M and his family for 51 days, conference heard. They were released two weeks ago and allowed to return to Manchester.
"We have heard reports about the harmful effects of detention on children," Ms Cantle said. "These effects were very visible in child M, who lost his hair and developed ringworm, as well as falling behind in school."
The family has launched a High Court challenge and the campaign has gathered over 1,000 petition signatures. "But we need your help to win this case," Ms Cantle said.
Let Bahman Stay is another campaign launched in Manchester against Home Office attempts to deport 16-year-old Bahman Mohammadi.
"In the wake of US military threats against Iran, the regime has stepped up efforts to recruit young people into its secret police force," campaign speaker Marian Sudbury said.
"Bahman refused to join the force and, fearing persecution, he soon had to flee Iran for Britain. Now, the British authorities want to sent him back. We urge you to support his campaign to remain here."
Uniting to find a new way forward
LOUISE NOUSRATPOUR hears the Left's plot to rally together an alternative to Labour.
Sunday September 21, 2008
The Morning Star
The aim of the Convention of the Left is to unite against a resurgent Tory Party and a growing BNP, filling the vacuum left by new Labour's abandoning of the working class.
With delegates from across the left debating issues of peace and socialism long abandoned by new Labour, the event is intended to offer a stark contrast to the official Labour conference taking place just down the road in Manchester.
That point was driven home by a banner on display after Saturday's 5,000-strong anti-war demonstration.
It bore two clear messages - one reading "war," with a blue arrow directing people to the Labour conference in the GMEX Centre, and the other saying "peace," with an arrow pointing to the convention hall in Friends Meeting House, where convention delegates joined a lively debate on practical policies to counter new Labour's agenda of war and neoliberalism.
Opening the session, event organiser John Nicholson said that the four-day convention was about "developing practical policies through discussions and contributions from all, not just a panel of the usual suspects."
He stressed that the aim was not to form yet another left party but to unite the movement around the big issues agreed by all.
As the global economy took a nosedive last week, the bourgeois media was nervously asking whether "the end of capitalism" was near.
But a Respect activist pointed out: "Capitalism will not collapse on its own accord because the state will always step in to rescue the system at the expense of the working class.
"We have to bring it down and this convention can be an important step towards that direction."
Indeed, only a few days ago, the US government effectively nationalised AIG for $85 billion in public money and Britain has pumped billions into the finance sector to bail out City gamblers.
While governments use taxpayers' cash to fund bankers' greed, the fat cats are busy sacking workers, cutting wages and slashing pensions lest the self-made crisis eat into their profits.
John McDonnell MP warned: "In my constituency in west London, unemployment is already rising, wages are being depressed, homelessness is at a crisis point and more and more refugees are being deported.
"Enough is enough. We have a historic opportunity to recreate the left and put progressive policies into practice."
Stop the War Coalition convener Lindsey German also said that, rather than debate "whether to create a new workers' party," the convention should focus on "practical solutions to help the working class defend itself against the economic crisis and imperialist wars."
Andy Smith of Permanent Revolution said that the convention must analyse the reasons why Respect collapsed "or we run the danger of repeating those mistakes."
One activist, only introduced as Tariq, said: "I've just come back from Pakistan, where bombs are going off all the time.
"It is the duty of the left in this country and internationally to unite, because we cannot have peace here when bombs are dropped on sleeping children elsewhere."
Green Party representative Derek Wall summed up the meeting with a quote from an anarchist song: "Even though we disagree, we have a common enemy and that is capitalism."
Sunday September 21, 2008
The Morning Star
The aim of the Convention of the Left is to unite against a resurgent Tory Party and a growing BNP, filling the vacuum left by new Labour's abandoning of the working class.
With delegates from across the left debating issues of peace and socialism long abandoned by new Labour, the event is intended to offer a stark contrast to the official Labour conference taking place just down the road in Manchester.
That point was driven home by a banner on display after Saturday's 5,000-strong anti-war demonstration.
It bore two clear messages - one reading "war," with a blue arrow directing people to the Labour conference in the GMEX Centre, and the other saying "peace," with an arrow pointing to the convention hall in Friends Meeting House, where convention delegates joined a lively debate on practical policies to counter new Labour's agenda of war and neoliberalism.
Opening the session, event organiser John Nicholson said that the four-day convention was about "developing practical policies through discussions and contributions from all, not just a panel of the usual suspects."
He stressed that the aim was not to form yet another left party but to unite the movement around the big issues agreed by all.
As the global economy took a nosedive last week, the bourgeois media was nervously asking whether "the end of capitalism" was near.
But a Respect activist pointed out: "Capitalism will not collapse on its own accord because the state will always step in to rescue the system at the expense of the working class.
"We have to bring it down and this convention can be an important step towards that direction."
Indeed, only a few days ago, the US government effectively nationalised AIG for $85 billion in public money and Britain has pumped billions into the finance sector to bail out City gamblers.
While governments use taxpayers' cash to fund bankers' greed, the fat cats are busy sacking workers, cutting wages and slashing pensions lest the self-made crisis eat into their profits.
John McDonnell MP warned: "In my constituency in west London, unemployment is already rising, wages are being depressed, homelessness is at a crisis point and more and more refugees are being deported.
"Enough is enough. We have a historic opportunity to recreate the left and put progressive policies into practice."
Stop the War Coalition convener Lindsey German also said that, rather than debate "whether to create a new workers' party," the convention should focus on "practical solutions to help the working class defend itself against the economic crisis and imperialist wars."
Andy Smith of Permanent Revolution said that the convention must analyse the reasons why Respect collapsed "or we run the danger of repeating those mistakes."
One activist, only introduced as Tariq, said: "I've just come back from Pakistan, where bombs are going off all the time.
"It is the duty of the left in this country and internationally to unite, because we cannot have peace here when bombs are dropped on sleeping children elsewhere."
Green Party representative Derek Wall summed up the meeting with a quote from an anarchist song: "Even though we disagree, we have a common enemy and that is capitalism."
Leftwingers sign pledge to unite and fight back
by LOUISE NOUSRATPOUR in Manchester
Sunday September 21, 2008
Convention of the Left 2008: PROMINENT figures across the British left signed a historic "statement of intent" on Sunday vowing to work together to promote alternative strategies for an environmentally and socially just society.
The document, which was launched at the Convention of the Left, challenged "Labour's programme of warmongering, neoliberal privatisation and failure to tackle environmental destruction."
It admitted that "the left is weak and has been repeatedly forced on the defensive" but pledged to "start defining new ways of working" to co-ordinate a united fight for "peace, social and environmental justice, public ownership, workers' rights, civil liberties and equality."
The statement also resolved to hold a "recall event" in November to build on the work done in Manchester by seeking "agreement to ideas and demands emerging from the convention."
The long list of signatories to the document include socialist film-maker Ken Loach, Labour MP John McDonnell, Communist Party of Britain general secretary Rob Griffiths, Morning Star editor John Haylett, Derek Wall of the Green Party, Respect MP George Galloway, Socialist Worker editor Chris Bambery and Stop the War coalition convener Lindsey German, as well as figures from Permanent Revolution and Socialist Resistance.
The statement called for "the development of local left forums, where appropriate, in order to promote discussions and co-ordinate united action across the left, in an inclusive, participatory, pluralist, tolerant and democratic way."
The aim, it said, was to "encourage participation from below, not top-down platforms" in order to "join together in making policies, putting forward demands and campaigning in practice."
Sunday September 21, 2008
Convention of the Left 2008: PROMINENT figures across the British left signed a historic "statement of intent" on Sunday vowing to work together to promote alternative strategies for an environmentally and socially just society.
The document, which was launched at the Convention of the Left, challenged "Labour's programme of warmongering, neoliberal privatisation and failure to tackle environmental destruction."
It admitted that "the left is weak and has been repeatedly forced on the defensive" but pledged to "start defining new ways of working" to co-ordinate a united fight for "peace, social and environmental justice, public ownership, workers' rights, civil liberties and equality."
The statement also resolved to hold a "recall event" in November to build on the work done in Manchester by seeking "agreement to ideas and demands emerging from the convention."
The long list of signatories to the document include socialist film-maker Ken Loach, Labour MP John McDonnell, Communist Party of Britain general secretary Rob Griffiths, Morning Star editor John Haylett, Derek Wall of the Green Party, Respect MP George Galloway, Socialist Worker editor Chris Bambery and Stop the War coalition convener Lindsey German, as well as figures from Permanent Revolution and Socialist Resistance.
The statement called for "the development of local left forums, where appropriate, in order to promote discussions and co-ordinate united action across the left, in an inclusive, participatory, pluralist, tolerant and democratic way."
The aim, it said, was to "encourage participation from below, not top-down platforms" in order to "join together in making policies, putting forward demands and campaigning in practice."
'This is a time to show we have answers'
by LOUISE NOUSRATPOUR in Manchester
Sunday September 21, 2008
The Morning Star
Convention of the Left 2008:THE left launched an alternative conference to new Labour on Saturday in a bid to unite the movement to challenge the government's programme of "wars and privatisation."
A stone's throw from the Labour conference in Manchester, the Convention of the Left brought together a broad range of politicians and activists to plan the "rebirth" of the movement in the face of economic crisis.
Labour MP John McDonnell said that Labour's event was already degenerating into a debate about personalities, with fresh infighting between Blairites and Brownites.
"Large numbers of people who consider themselves socialists have been turned off by new Labour and it is important to regroup," he stressed.
"This is not about a new political party, but I hope it will lead to the rebirth of the left."
Delegates inside Labour's ring of steel called for "discipline and unity" to secure a fourth term in power.
In contrast, the convention stressed the need to offer solutions to people's real concerns.
Veteran socialist Tony Benn said: "This is not a time for sectarian squabbles or talking about what we think of individual ministers. It is a time to show there are answers.
"We must regain our confidence and give people reassurance that the heart of the left is here, thinking about their jobs, homes, public services and peace."
Derek Wall of the Green Party called Prime Minister Gordon Brown a "living political corpse" with no solutions to the economic and environmental crisis.
All the British economy now does "is swap debt and fund capitalism and that is now all going wrong," he stormed.
"The left must come together and put forward a programme of democratising the economy, articulating practical social policies and bring concrete change."
Respect's Clive Searle urged the left to "get its act together quickly, to show that there is a credible alternative to the failed free-market mantras of both Brown and Cameron."
The convention is scheduled to coincide with the Labour conference, beginning on Saturday and ending on Wednesday.
Sunday September 21, 2008
The Morning Star
Convention of the Left 2008:THE left launched an alternative conference to new Labour on Saturday in a bid to unite the movement to challenge the government's programme of "wars and privatisation."
A stone's throw from the Labour conference in Manchester, the Convention of the Left brought together a broad range of politicians and activists to plan the "rebirth" of the movement in the face of economic crisis.
Labour MP John McDonnell said that Labour's event was already degenerating into a debate about personalities, with fresh infighting between Blairites and Brownites.
"Large numbers of people who consider themselves socialists have been turned off by new Labour and it is important to regroup," he stressed.
"This is not about a new political party, but I hope it will lead to the rebirth of the left."
Delegates inside Labour's ring of steel called for "discipline and unity" to secure a fourth term in power.
In contrast, the convention stressed the need to offer solutions to people's real concerns.
Veteran socialist Tony Benn said: "This is not a time for sectarian squabbles or talking about what we think of individual ministers. It is a time to show there are answers.
"We must regain our confidence and give people reassurance that the heart of the left is here, thinking about their jobs, homes, public services and peace."
Derek Wall of the Green Party called Prime Minister Gordon Brown a "living political corpse" with no solutions to the economic and environmental crisis.
All the British economy now does "is swap debt and fund capitalism and that is now all going wrong," he stormed.
"The left must come together and put forward a programme of democratising the economy, articulating practical social policies and bring concrete change."
Respect's Clive Searle urged the left to "get its act together quickly, to show that there is a credible alternative to the failed free-market mantras of both Brown and Cameron."
The convention is scheduled to coincide with the Labour conference, beginning on Saturday and ending on Wednesday.
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