Ken Loach speaks at the People’s Assembly
Ken Loach addressed a packed meeting at the People’s Assembly on June 22nd.
The article Ken refers to in his speech can be found here and here
The film of Ken was produced by Percivale Productions which is making a film about Left Unity and the process of founding a new party of the Left.
13 comments
13 responses to “Ken Loach speaks at the People’s Assembly”
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great stuff i have a nice story to tell 07706600555
Good video, glad to see you are showing audience and audience reaction, so few videos of this type do.
I have huge respect and admiration for Ken Loach, and what he is trying to do. Unfortunately I do not see how the left unity strategy could halt the cuts being implemented now by Condems or by Labour when they get in 2015. By splitting the Labour vote you’ll allow the Tories in just as when the SDP was formed in the 80s. In fact its this effect that allowed the Tories in now, with left wing votes propping up the coalition instead of Labour. He is absolutely right on the Unions, I think they are the organisations who have not done enough to stop the cuts. No general strike(s), still sending contributions to the Labour party, all talk but self interest and self preservation is the rule.
It was new labour who split the left and deserted the working class .If the party reverted back to its roots their would be no need for a new party
Robboh, I would agree about splitting the vote if there was any chance that LU could so much as dent Labour.
I have only voted Labour once, this year and that was extremely tactically and they beat a hard right wing mayor by 600 votes, on an anti-immigration, pro-‘help our heroes’ platform – that was impossible to support; but were still the lesser of evils, as they are nationally; as Obama is in the USA – we cannot duck this and to do so is sectarian; moreover, the people will ignore us or treat us with the contempt we deserve.
Unfortunately, the unions’ actions reflect their members’ opinions. Sewotka would love to take part in a general strike – so would McClusky (if he were in charge) but talk of such is just daft. We are a long way away from the conditions where (i) a general strike would be universally supported – and if that were unlikely, it would be very counter-productive and (ii) the results of such a strike would be effective. Even in the much more unionised and politically organised 1980s we lost the miners’ strike. Let’s try getting people to join unions first! Then become active in them; then link union (self/group interest) activity, to wider left political (class interest) activity … all years of hard graft away – but essential to do.
Well said Ben.
Thanks for the hug ;)
I think that is an excellent speech. not afraid to question the trade union leaders for their inaction, not afraid to question the idea of never ending ‘loyalty’ to the labour party.
tim
One further point, although I personally do not think Mr Loach’s suggestion for stopping the cuts could succeed under the current conditions (and its just my own opinion), he should have been allowed to raise this debate at the great hall, and people should have discussed this hugely important issue. But no, left unity was marshaled off in a completely different building half a mile down the road. I’d rather have heard Ken Loach than that lunatic Rees, whose speech was dreadful, a madman megalomaniac let lose on stage. How could they have put him on the same stage as the likes of the wonderfully down to earth Martinez, frankly its a travesty. A manifestation of the “trot” problem that infests both movements I’m afraid. Having people like him around is the fastest route to failure.
Aye totally agree.
Its on our Left Unity branch web site (and Facebook site) and worth posting on all branch web sites.
if its on youtube i can watch it. cant view from my aged phone and lap top has died!
Oh I was told by an attendee Ken was not allowed to speak due to the main assembly criticisms of Labour and the unions. Was this in a break out meeting or what then?
Great video and speech