Conference Report by Tom Penman, Dundee Solidarity

 On the 25th and 26th November was Socialism 2006, a weekend of discussion and debate hosted by the Socialist Party (CWI England and Wales). Debates ranged from "Which way forward for British Muslims?" with Said Fergani from MAB and "How can we end Homophobia?" with Peter Tatchell from OUTrage to discussions on whether the Labour Party could be reclaimed for workers (or not) and sessions on historical events such as the workers uprising in Hungary in 1956.

The highlight for many though was the Rally for Socialism on the Saturday night with the "galaxy of speakers" as Peter Taaffe put it, which over 800 attended. Tommy Sheridan, MSP spoke at a meeting in England for the first time since his court victory over the Murdoch press. He spoke alongside Socialist Party General Secretary Peter Taaffe and international speakers including Germany's Lucy Redler of the electoral alternative WASG as well as speakers from Greece and Sri Lanka.

The speakers outlined the international fight back against neo-liberalism and global capitalism. This includes the momentous class upheavals in Latin America, the strike action of immigrant labourers and transport workers in the USA and mass protest movements in Europe. But it also includes the fight to defend the NHS here in Britain, which was represented at the rally by Len Hockey UNISON joint shop steward at Whipps Cross hospital, London who has recently led successful strike action against the privateers and Dr Jackie Grunsell, Huddersfield Save Our NHS councillor. 

Speakers emphasised the need to continue the struggle against cuts, privatisation and war.

Chris Baugh the assistant general secretary of PCS told the full hall that he was proud to attend and that we shouldn't be discouraged by people who argue you can't make a difference. If workers had listened to these voices 150 years a go the trade unions would never have been created!

Tommy Sheridan MSP spoke on his victory over the News of the World and thanked socialists from all parts of Britain for standing against the anti-trade union and anti-socialist rag with him. He went on to speak about the need for a democratically owned and controlled economy, saying if evidence was required of the need for socialism then it could be found easily in the fact that the worlds governments spend 17 times as much on buying weapons to kill other human beings than they do in aid trying to save human lives and the disgrace that in the 21st Century 6 million children die a year from malnutrition. Tommy Sheridan finished by saying, in the words of Malcolm X "If we don't stand for something, we may fall for anything" and that while it was fine to be anti-neo liberal and anti-privatisation he called on all those present to declare that they were socialists. The audience agreed and applauded the creation of a new party in Scotland, Solidarity – Scotland's Socialist Movement. Click here to watch the video of Tommy's speech .

Lucy Redler, was number one on the election list in Berlin for the WASG, a new left-wing party that has split from the SDP. She talked of their success in getting 52,000 votes in Berlin alone after standing on a radical anti-cuts, anti privatisation platform in complete opposition to the pro-business parties. As a result it was the only party to support protests by striking hospital workers in Berlin. But she also warned that some in the WASG wanted it to move to the right, even stripping any mention of socialism from the party.

Anna Kleitsa, a Greek university student and member of Xekinima (CWI Greece) spoke on the recent wave of mass student protests and occupations in Greece. These have seen a third of schools and the vast majority of universities occupied. The students are fighting against privatisation and marketisation of education and have linked up with staff fighting low pay for a united movement for a decently funded education system. Sarah Sachs-Eldridge from the youth organisation International Socialist Resistance spoke of the problems being faced by young people in Britain. Low pay and rising student debt are major problems as is the criminalisation of youth with extended use of ASBO's and hoody bans. The cuts and privatisation in the NHS have meant that 80% of nursing students who graduate will not be able to get a job as a nurse.

Peter Taaffe ended the rally with a call for socialism. The Iraq war and occupation has so far costed one and a half that of the Vietnam War. For the same amount every human forced by capitalism to live on a $1/day or less could be given $2000. In Britain trade unions spill spend millions helping to fund New Labour. He said that trade union should make the break from New Labour and help to create and fund new mass workers parties.

For some Socialism 2006 was their first experience of socialist meetings while for others it was a chance to attend sessions that went into more depth on the issues and subjects they're interested in.  As Monique, a student who attended the weekend said "It all made me proud to be a socialist." .