There is no need for public spending cuts

I looked in on the Convention of the Left today. The Convention is a well-intentioned forum for debate between socialists which is no bad thing.

However it was slightly frustrating that the grassroots approach of not having platform speakers meant that the excellent contribution of Prem Sikka - the professor of Accountancy who is on our side - was squeezed in at the end of the opening plenary.

Prem explained that there is no need for public spending cuts - but rather for tax increases and a clampdown on tax avoidance. The LRC will be campaigning around this point this week.

Whilst many of those at today's Convention are focused upon the next election a more immediate focus is the need to mobilise trade unionists in particular to oppose spending cuts and their consequences. To do this we must educate our members in economics so that it is understood that there is an alternative.

UNISON branches can now use the Million Voices campaign alongside the Peoples Charter to good effect to prepare ourselves for these coming battles.

Outside the Westminster bubble (specially exported to Brighton for the next few days and now comprising the Conference Centre and the two main seafront hotels) we need to mobilise resistance to cuts and attacks on working people.