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From The Socialist newspaper, 16 December 2020
TUSC relaunch in the north west
The Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) is an electoral alliance between the RMT union, Socialist Party and others to give an electoral alternative to cuts-making and pro-capitalist politicians, photo Socialist Party (Click to enlarge)
Roger Bannister, Liverpool Socialist Party
Socialists, community activists and trade unionists were all represented at an online meeting held on 12 December to relaunch the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) in north west England. The main speaker was Chris Williamson, former Labour Party MP and now a member of the TUSC national steering committee, whose contribution was well received by the audience.
The meeting had an open discussion, during which the depth of experience of those attending was revealed. The discussion included a councillor from Copeland in West Cumbria who has been thrown out of the Labour Party, former Labour Party activists from South Cumbria, and two members of the Liverpool 47 councillors, who led the heroic struggle against Thatcher's Tory government in the 1980s.
It was made clear that Starmer's leadership of the Labour Party, and its sharp turn to the right, is alienating many Labour members who are now looking for a proper, socialist electoral alternative. After a full discussion, there was a general acceptance that the next step would be for local TUSC groups to be set up in the new year, to start to plan and organise for the local elections in May.
Voting Labour in May would be voting for a continuation, rather than an end, to austerity. It is crucial that as many workers and young people as possible have the opportunity to vote against cuts in these elections.
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In The Socialist 16 December 2020:
News
Unemployment and Covid rising - the crisis is not over - Fight for jobs and safety
Mass testing - we need trade union oversight and full pay for all
Rich countries hoarding vaccine is danger to us all
No to Tories' new anti-protest law
Maternity unit deaths - democratic, public ownership needed
Met police investigate British mercenary war crimes against Tamils
No surprise, poverty is rising
Education
Cancel exams for class of Covid
Welsh schools close for safety after union pressure
Effective testing and properly funded safety plan needed in schools
East London shows the way: strikes are how to fight for state education
Determined strikers at Leaways school
Workplace News
Openreach and EE: Massive vote for action
PCS union conference stripped of powers by NEC
Unite launch ballot over sacked London bus rep
Christmas redundancy shock at L&Q housing association
Stop 'fire and rehire' at British Gas
New Technology
Can green technology and AI save capitalism?
Engels
'Socialism - Utopian and Scientific' by Engels
Reports & campaigns
Protests in solidarity with Indian farmers
Book: The national question - a Marxist approach
School boy assaulted by police in Tottenham
TUSC relaunch in the north west
Protest against immigration enforcement centre in Newham
Tremendous fighting fund reflects confidence
Quiz
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2021