Not to be missed! Laurie Penny debates Workers' Liberty

January 26, 2011 at 9:33 pm (AWL, Jim D, libertarianism, Marxism, political groups, protest, socialism, students, youth)

.

Just a reminder:

Don’t forget,  tomorrow (Thursday 27 January):

.

What kind of “new politics”? Workers’ Liberty debates Laurie Penny.

7.30 pm  University of London, Malet Street

.

The student protests have fundamentally shaken up politics in Britain. More and more people no longer believe that the Tories’ cuts and attacks on the welfare state are unstoppable.

In this new period, what kind of politics does the left need? It’s clear that it cannot be “business as usual” – we need to step up a gear.

Does that mean that Marxist ideas, focused on the working class and workplace/industrial struggle, are no longer relevant? What about the trade unions? Do we need political parties, or are they are a harmful distraction? Are differences on the left no longer relevant? Is the notion of socialist publications, promoting a definite program, an absurd anachronism, or more important than ever? What kind of organisations do we need to beat the Tories and overthrow their system?

* Laurie Penny is a journalist, and a feminist and anti-cuts activist in London.She has written for publications including Red Pepper, the New Statesman and the Guardian. Her article “Out with the old politics” sparked the current debate on structures and politics in the movement

* Ed Maltby will speak for Workers’ Liberty; he is a member of the national committee of  the Alliance for Workers’ Liberty

.
Suggested donation £1 unwaged, £3 waged.

I can’t make it, but Shiraz will happily publish any comments from anyone (AWL or otherwise) who attends.