|
The Socialist Party fights for socialist change: a democratic society run for the needs of all and not the profits of a few. We also fight, in our day-to-day campaigning, for every possible improvement for working-class people. As capitalism dominates the globe, the struggle for genuine socialism must be international. The Socialist Party is part of the Committee for a Workers' International (CWI), a democratic, socialist international that organises in over 40 countries. Our branch is active in a number of areas in Kent, especially in Medway and Canterbury. Initially you should email us and we will be happy to introduce the nature of the branch and the party, the things that we do and organise, and how we operate, to you. Anyone is also welcome to drop into one of our weekly branch meetings in Gillingham. Alternatively, you can find out more about the party, become a member, subscribe to our newspaper or support the party in other ways through the national website. The branch now also has a bookshop, where you can buy or donate used on books Marxism and socialism. Current Campaigns Youth Fight for Jobs Youth Fight for Jobs is a nationwide campaign to defend working people from the brutal jobs massacre that is taking place throughout the country. There are now almost 3 million people officially out of work, (9 per cent of the workforce) as a result of this crisis of capitalism, a crisis created by the hideously rich, the fat cats, the bankers and the big businesses. But it is these people who have received billions of pounds of tax payers money. Were is the money to protect the jobs of ordinary people? Whilst the Royal Bank of Scotland received £20 billion, the workers of Woolworths didn’t receive a penny. Seven in 10 working young people are in low paid jobs and 40 per cent of unemployed people are youth. Young people have felt the full brunt of the recession, and things are likely to get worse unless we organise and fight back. Young people are forced into jobs with low pay, poor conditions and no job security. These jobs are rarely unionised and are always the first to be thrown on the scrap heap when profits begin to dip.With 600,000 people leaving education in July a large percentage of them are going to be faced with unemployment and the poverty pay of job seekers allowance. YFJ also fights against university fees. More people are turning to further education as the job market dries up, but by doing so face thousands of pounds of crippling debt and no guarantee of a job. Now the government is proposing to lift the £3000 cap on tuition fees, meaning elite universities will charge whatever they please. Education should be available to all not just the privileged. On a local and national scale YFFJ has organised or been involved in various protests, marches and public meetings, fighting for a decent job for all, with more demonstrations and work to come this year. Keep an eye on the website for more details. Trade Union and Socialist Coalition The working class and peoples of Britain face a ruling class offensive which will intensify over the coming period. It is an offensive against public services, incomes, living standards and trade union rights in order to boost monopoly profit. Not content with the banks receiving the biggest bail-out in the history of British capitalism, big business aims to make workers and their families pay to serve the interests, first and foremost, of the City of London's financial institutions.It is also an offensive which will be stepped up regardless of which party wins the forthcoming General Election. The likelihood is that a Tory government will make earlier and deeper cuts in public spending than a New Labour one. A Labour government may also be more vulnerable to trade union pressure not to outlaw industrial action in 'essential' services.But both main parties intend to prolong the imperialist occupation of Afghanistan and to maintain the expansion of nuclear power and a new generation of British nuclear weapons.Therefore this coalition is contesting the General Election to show that there is a clear left-wing alternative to policies of public sector cuts, privatisation, militarism and environmental degradation.We recognise that there will be Labour and non-Labour candidates standing in the general election who agree with our policies, who share our socialist aspirations and who will be supported by left and labour movement organisations participating in our coalition.We also recognise that there are different strategic views about the way forward for the left in Britain, whether the Labour Party can be reclaimed by the labour movement, or whether a new workers' party needs to be established. |
|
News, Events and Campaigns Upcoming meetings: 8th August, The Sovereign Debt Crisis; 15th August, Struggle in Nepal Resistance to Dover port privatisation takes off Backlash against cuts underway: PCS and RMT on strike Union victory against sackings and University of Kent  National NewsMain parties promise more of the same rotten cuts agenda Website of the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition Afghanistan: Bring the troops back Editorial: Voters face 'slash and burn' policies whoever wins election Emperor's new clothes: the bosses' pet management theories Kyrgyzstan - dictator overthrown Defend welfare and public services SP Kent Links Kent Socialist Students at Kent Union |
 |