Newsletter 8

The EDL and other far-right and fascist groups have been attempting to make political capital out of the brutal murder of an unarmed soldier in Woolwich. But the scale of protests this weekend have shown that we will not allow them to take our streets, as thousands have turned out to say that our communities will not be divided.

Hull Left Unity gave a clear message to this effect in their appeal for their local mobilisation. Our political message to Labour and other parties is crucial: we won’t accept concessions to racism in the form of anti-immigration policies. It is time to stand up to racism and fascism not to accommodate it. Economic crisis and unemployment provides fertile ground for the far right: we are seeing that across Europe and now here in Britain. A real political and economic alternative has never been more urgent.

Left Unity joins the antifascist demo in Leeds

The consequences of government policies are hitting hard, particularly with regard to the Bedroom Tax and the ATOS attacks on disabled people. We are seeing an increasing level of mobilisation against these policies, together with increasing opposition to health service cuts.

One opportunity for expressing opposition and making local links is the series of local People’s Assemblies taking place across the country. Left Unity groups have been strong participants in a number of places as we help build towards the national event in London on 22nd June. If you haven’t already booked a place, then do so now while there are some spaces left. We are producing a free broadsheet leaflet for distribution on the day, so if you can help give them out, please contact content@leftunity.org

The impact of austerity is hitting hard across Europe too. This weekend saw big mobilisations in many countries against the policies of the Troika – they are forcing European governments to make spending cuts which are devastating the lives of millions.

‘Troika go home’ – protest in Madrid on Saturday

You can read about these on the Left Unity site along with a message from Turkey on the huge wave of protests taking place there. The last few days have seen a very high level of popular protest, locally, nationally and internationally.

Protesters confront state repression in Turkey on Saturday

People are looking away from the social democratic parties that fail to represent them – whether Labour in Britain, the Parti Socialiste in France, or PASOK in Greece and others across the continent. In many countries left alternatives exist and many are meeting together next weekend at the Alter Summit in Athens. If you are attending on behalf of your union or campaign please let us know.

Here in Britain our work towards building a new party of the left is urgent. Our new National Co-ordinating Group is meeting this month to plan the process – including policy commissions – towards our founding conference in November 2013. We look forward to your support as we move ahead.

The Left Unity team