Campaign news

LRC Special conference 2016: Saturday 20th February 2016

12th January 2016

LRC Special conference 2016:
Saturday 20th February 2016
The left’s success in 2015 was truly extraordinary - Jeremy Corbyn was swept into the Labour leadership, with a massive democratic mandate from Party members and supporters. But although we have won the leadership, we haven’t yet won control of the Party. Hostile elements still abound, in the parliamentary party, the organisational apparatus, and beyond. There can be no place for routinism - the left must raise its game to meet the new tasks we now face.
In these exceptional circumstances, therefore, the LRC’s National Committee has decided to call this Special General Meeting in order to have a focused, structured discussion about how we respond - politically and organisationally - to the new situation. For these purposes the agenda will be based around discussion of a National Committee Statement, and recommendations for structural changes to how the LRC sees its role and operates going forward.
We invite you to the LRC Special Meeting 2016 taking place on
Saturday 20th February at Conway Hall, 25 Red Lion Square, London WC1R 4RL, from 10:30 am to ~ 4pm.
Registration opens 10 am.

Speakers to date are: John McDonnell MP, Liz Davies; Ian Hodson, BFAWU; Dave Green (tbc), FBU ; Hilary Wainwright, Red Pepper
All national, regional and local affiliates and local groups are entitled to move one resolution to the LRC statement and one to the constitutional changes at this SGM. The maximum wording for an amendment is 250 words, for constitutional amendments100 words.

The final date for the receipt of amendments is February 6th. Affiliates and local groups are encouraged to propose amendments to the statement since it will be the basis of our debate about future strategy. We will advise where duplicate or similar motions are composited.
In order to fully participate at this Conference, you must be a current, paid-up LRC member or Affiliate. So, if your LRC membership and/or affiliation has lapsed, please renew your membership of the LRC now,
Further details of confirmed speakers, timetable, amendments and other conference information will appear on the LRC website over the coming weeks.
(Our constitution may be found at: l-r-c.org.uk/files/Constitution_2013-2014.pdf)
We hope to see you at the LRC Special Conference on 20th February 2016.

Background

By Ian Hodson It’s great news that a mainstream political party has recognised the importance of taking positive action to raise pay. Since 2008, politicians from all parties along with many in the media, have pushed the narrative that society will somehow improve by imposing austerity and blaming minority groups for the state of the country’s finances. Sadly, many have fallen for this deception and the ‘look over there’ politics that has rose to prominence since the Conservatives returned to power in 2010. [continue...]

Folkestone United – coming together to support migrants Bridget Chapman, Folkestone United, reports [continue...]

No Witch-Hunts In The GMB, Reinstate Keith Henderson (The Online Petition) Keith Henderson Essex LRC member and former Regional Organiser of the GMB Union was dismissed from the GMB last December, Keith has always believed that the real reason for his dismissal was because of his socialist beliefs and the manifestation of his beliefs. [continue...]

Please see our Labour Briefing Website here: LabourBriefing.org [continue...]

The LRC is supporting a broad alliance of campaign groups and trade unions against the proposals in the Welfare Reform Bill (currently before Parliament) and putting forward our alternative based on social justice and welfare for all. [continue...]

Across the country working people are losing their jobs and their homes. Meanwhile the bankers who plunged us into this crisis have been bailed out with billions of pounds of our money. It’s time to fight back. Their Crisis Not Ours! is the LRC’s campaign to bring together workers, pensioners, the unemployed, students, those facing repossession and all those suffering because of an economic crisis that has been imposed on us. The campaign is supporting the demands of the People’s Charter. [continue...]

Rail bosses are using the recession as an excuse to attack jobs and conditions and cut back on services and essential rail works, and hike rail fares - as LEAP research suggested they would. Thousands of jobs are being threatened or have been lost. At the same time rail fat cats are raking in big profits and bonuses on the back of the most expensive fares in Europe. Make no mistake: as the recession worsens so will the attack on rail workers and rail services. [continue...]

The campaign calling on the Government to abandon its plans for privatisation of Royal Mail. The Government has introduced the Postal Services Bill to part-privatise the Royal Mail. With our affiliate union CWU we are fighting to Keep the Post Public! [continue...]

The campaign to demand the Government funds improvements to all existing council housing, and to start building first class council homes to address housing need. For more information see Defend Council Housing website. [continue...]