Left urged to unite around workers' programme

Louise Nousratpour at the Labour Representation Committee conference in Conway House
Sunday November 16, 2008
The Morning Star

THE Labour Representation Committee conference urged the British left on Saturday to unite around a socialist programme to defend workers' jobs threatened by the economic crisis.

Hundreds of delegates and representatives from affiliated organisations crammed into London's Conway Hall on Saturday to organise co-ordinated action in Parliament and on the picket lines to force their demands through.

The one-day conference focused on the impact of the crisis on the working class, from job losses and a 20 per cent increase in house repossessions to wage restraints and drastic cuts in public services.

Delegates also feared the rising threat from fascism and the possibility of a more aggressive enforcement of the anti-trade union laws.

In a series of motions, they called for the nationalisation of the finance system and rigorous regulation, investment in public works to tackle unemployment and a national programme of council house building to combat rising homelessness.

Moving a series of resolutions on the economic crisis, committee chairman John McDonnell MP said that demands for public investment could easily be met if the government addressed tax avoidance, which is costing the British economy more than £30 billion a year.

"This is the greatest opportunity the left will have in our lifetime to push for a socialist agenda, because the crisis has exposed the failure of neoliberal ideology and claims that an unfettered market can satisfy all our social needs," he told delegates.

Mr McDonnell urged the left to stop sectarian infighting and unite around a practical social programme.

"We must show the government and big business that the socialists are on the march again on behalf of the working class," he added.

Fire Brigades Union leader Matt Wrack said: "The starting point among socialists and unions is to recognise that this is a class agenda.

"The neoliberal drive to restore the profitability of business around the world has led to trouble for working people.

"The multibillion bail-out of the banks in Britain and the US is about one thing - the nationalisation of the losses at taxpayers' expense and the privatisation of profits."

The FBU general secretary asked conference: "Are we going to stand by and let the working class pay for the capitalist crisis or are we going to force bankers and big business to pay for their own mess?"