Convention of the Left and LRC events

As last year, the LRC is supporting the Convention of the Left conference :

Saturday 26th September 2009
10:30am to 5:00pm

The 2009 Convention of the Left will be held at the Brighthelm Centre, North Road, Brighton, BN1 1YD.

This is a free one-day conference, with contributors including Jeremy Corbyn MP, Robert Griffiths (Communist Party of Britain), John Haylett (Morning Star), Caroline Lucas MEP (Green Party), John Maguire (Unite Belfast Visteon Convenor), John McDonnell MP (LRC), Pete Murray (NUJ), Kay Phillips (Respect), Martin Smith (SWP), Matt Wrack (FBU) to discuss how we make the green, left, socialist and radical alternative a reality.

See www.conventionoftheleft.org for more details. Download the Convention of the Left 2009 flyer.

Last year the Convention ran successfully as the alternative to New Labour’s conference in Manchester. This year’s Convention event will continue the debates on the crisis of capitalism and Westminster politics and develop our ideas in response.

The wealth exists in society to pay for our essential needs - and the way the governments of the UK, EU and US have found trillions of Pounds, Dollars and Euros at the drop of a hat for the bankers proves what we have been saying all along.

And, as the continuing bloodshed in Afghanistan shows, there is still a limitless coffer for war and destruction.

The trouble is that our rulers want to use the wealth in society to prop up capitalism - which will inevitably lead to the same results all over again. They are buying themselves out of their crisis, but expecting the rest of us pay the price.

Recessions lead scape-goating, racism and the rise of the far right. The election of two BNP members to the European Parliament should be warning to us all.

Don’t blame the victims. The poor should not be punished for the crisis of capitalism. We must provide the alternative. We look forward to seeing you in Brighton on September 26th to discuss how we make the green, left, socialist and radical alternative a reality.

I plan to be there and probably report back. I have to admit I'm not sure what it will has achieved since last year , but those involved do please comment and let me know . I do think left unity is needed, so perhaps this has helped ?

LRC events during conference :

Sun 27 Sep: A coalition of trade unions and pressure groups – so far including PCS, UCU, NUT, NUJ, Right to Work, Stop the War and Unite Against Fascism – have teamed up to lobby the Labour Party conference on Sunday 27 September and call for a change in direction over proposals to cut public expenditure. Assemble at Madeira Drive, Brighton seafront (east of Palace Pier) from 12:30pm. For more details, see the PCS website.

I am assuming this is part of the Rage against Labour demo? Or is this one where we tut a lot and are miffed ?

And in the evening, everyone is welcome at the Labour Against the War fringe meeting: War - New Labour’s legacy at Friends Meeting House, Ship Street, Brighton from 7pm.

Mon 28 Sep: The LRC is hosting a fringe meeting – open to all socialists – Not the Labour Party Conference at the Ramada Jarvis Hotel, Kings Road, Brighton from 7pm til late. Speakers include: Tony Benn, Katy Clark MP, Jeremy Corbyn MP, John McDonnell MP, Mark Serwotka (PCS). There will also be live entertainment, including from Steve Gribbin.

CWU members are also organising a rally outside conference on Tue 29 Sep. Check the LRC website for details soon.