We are from green, left, internationalist, communist, socialist, radical and anarchist backgrounds. We are involved in civil liberties, anti-deportation, trade union, climate change, peace and public service campaigns. What we have in common is that we believe the wealth exists in society to pay for our essential needs - but we do not believe that an unbridled free market is sustainable.
We cannot have socialism if the planet has been destroyed, but we (probably?) can't save the planet unless we have socialism.
So when New Labour comes to Manchester for its so-called conference (an event generally believed to be without debate or decisions), we have decided that we want to host a 'Convention of the Left' - just a stone's throw (or a balloon's flight) away from the security-surrounded official event, we will be holding a full day conference, a day of action, and four days of themed debates and discussions (20-25 September 2008).
Essay: Political organisation in transition Hilary Wainwright opens the new year ambitiously! She discusses how to transform the state and why radical politicians find it so difficult to maintain their radical momentum once in parliament or the council chamber. How could this change?
If they can do it, we can too – cleaners get organised Lorna Stephenson and Emma Hughes report on cleaners’ success organising against poverty pay
Workfare comes to the classroom While academies have drawn the headlines, the government’s new ‘studio schools’ are making children work for corporate sponsors. Alex Diaz reports
February 15, 2003: The day the world said no to war Phyllis Bennis argues that while the day of mass protest did not stop the war, it did change history
Egypt: The revolution is alive Just before the second anniversary of the Egyptian revolution, Emma Hughes spoke to Ola Shahba, an activist who has spent 15 years organising in Egypt
Workfare: a policy on the brink Warren Clark explains how the success of the campaign against workfare has put the policy’s future in doubt
Tenant troubles The past year has seen the beginnings of a vibrant private tenants’ movement emerging. Christine Haigh reports
Co-operating with cuts in Lambeth Isabelle Koksal reports on how Lambeth’s ‘co-operative council’ is riding roughshod over co-operative principles in its drive for sell-offs and cuts in local services
Red Pepper is a magazine of political rebellion and dissent, influenced by socialism, feminism and green politics. more »
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