People's Charter 'a lifeline for Labour'

Louise Nousratpour
Sunday November 8, 2009
The Morning Star

Growing fascism and discredited neoliberal policies can only be combated by the broadest possible mobilisation around the People's Charter, speakers at Saturday's Communist University urged.

The modern-day charter, now TUC policy, was a "lifeline" to Labour at the looming general election, activists said.

And there were calls for the TUC leadership to draw lessons from its past and challenge MPs to back the charter if they want the millions-strong support of unions.

Reading an extract from the 1905 TUC conference minutes, John Hendy QC recalled how the organisation had issued an ultimatum to candidates of the day to support the historic Trade Disputes Bill or forfeit the working-class vote.

"Just over 50 candidates passed that test, of which 30 were elected at the 1906 general election - enough to make the Bill into Act that year," he said. "Why can't today's TUC adopt the same approach with regards to the charter?"

Speakers stressed that the six-point document was a way for millions of working people "to speak with one voice" at a time of economic crisis, mass unemployment, cuts in public services and growing fascism.

Investment in council housing, a fairer tax system, a publicly run financial system and an end to the current wars are some of the modest demands outlined in the charter, for which campaigners are aiming to collect one million signatures.

Young Communist League (YCL) general secretary Joanne Stevenson highlighted the importance of mobilising the young as they made up about 40 per cent of the unemployed.

She reported that the YCL had recently adopted an associated Youth Charter and called for investment in "real apprenticeships with job guarantees" and free education for all.

Rather than demonising young people, Ms Stevenson said, the government should address anti-social behaviour through investment in youth clubs and decent housing.

"And stop army recruits in our schools," she demanded.

Speaking from the floor, former YCL leader Gawain Little argued: "The TUC and Labour leadership will only act when there is grass-roots pressure. So let's take the charter into the communities and wherever there is a strike picket or a local campaign against academies, council privatisation and hospital closures."

Campaigners in Scotland have organised a Scottish Parliament lobby for later this month, while charter committees are being set up across the country.

The date of the People's Charter conference is November 21 at the Camden Centre, London.