Forbury Gardens, Reading. 1 July 2016, 18.00-19.00
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| Speakers Chris Clark (TSSA) and Jennie Formby (Unite) with Ray Parkes (RTUC) |
Following the national referendum decision for the United
Kingdom to leave the European Union, and the immediate infighting in both the
Conservative and Labour Parties around the question of party leadership in the
referendum’s aftermath, the Reading Trades Union Council executive met on 28
June 2016 and unanimously decided to organise a pro-Corbyn rally. Despite
Jeremy Corbyn’s mandate as Labour Party leader, elected by 59.5% of party
members in a four-candidate contest in September 2015, the RTUC was shocked and
outraged by the mass resignations from Corbyn’s shadow cabinet last week by MPs
calling for his resignation.
With only three days notice, using social media, including
the RTUC’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/ReadingTUC/),
and an article in the Reading Chronicle,
around 60 members of the general public gathered in Forbury Gardens to show
their support for Corbyn, listen to speeches and fraternise in a spirit of
solidarity and socialist fellowship. Several trade unions, including the RMT,
TSSA and Unison, brought banners and flags, and the Socialist Party set up a
stall and distributed literature. Especially pleasing was the presence of a
Labour Councillor on Reading Borough Council, Ashley Pearce, who - with Paul Woodward - signed a letter of support for Corbyn from hundreds of councillors across
the country. As Chris Reilly, RTUC Vice-President, said in his speech, ‘We
salute you!’
The event began with Chris Reilly welcoming all those
present and bringing the RTUC to everyone’s attention.
Chris then introduced the first speaker, Jennie Formby, a
member of the South-East Regional Executive of Unite the Union and also a
member of the Labour Party’s National Executive Committee. Jennie, fresh from
the large pro-Corbyn rally in London earlier in the week, emphasised the need
for Labour to defend workers rights and resist racism and fascism in the
aftermath of the ‘Leave’ vote in the EU referendum. She also highlighted the
massive support Corbyn has from Labour Party members – so much so that MPs from
the Labour right are wavering in their desire to challenge Corbyn for the party
leadership. It is clear from Corbyn’s party support – and from the increase in
party membership in the past week – that a challenge to his leadership would
simply result in Corbyn’s re-election. But the disruption the shadow cabinet
resignations is causing and the distraction which a prospective leadership challenge
will cause is letting the Conservative’s off the hook – and allowing that party
to consolidate its attacks on working people, the welfare state and the NHS. Jennie's full speech can be found here.
The second speaker was Chris Clark, a member of the national
executive of the Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association, an affiliated union to
the Labour Party. Chris gave the background to the TSSA’s support of Corbyn in
2015. He backed Corbyn’s position on the EU – not a supporter of the EU ‘right
or wrong’ but an advocate of a social Europe. Last year the TSSA put three
questions to all Labour Party leadership candidates: 1) would they scrap the
Trident nuclear weapons system; 2) would they restore the trade union powers
stripped from workers since 1979; and 3) would they renationalise Britain’s
railways. The only candidate to answer 'yes' to all three questions was Jeremy Corbyn
and on that basis the TSSA threw their support behind his leadership bid. On
the basis of democratic socialism – as clearly outlined in the Labour Party’s constitution
(see Clause 4 and also the right of members to elect the party leader) – the TSSA
continues to support Corbyn, given the overwhelming support he received in the
leadership election and the support he continues to carry among the party’s
membership. Chris finished by encouraging those present to join Labour if they
haven’t already done so and – in the event of a challenge – vote for Corbyn's
continued party leadership. Chris's full speech can be found here.
Chris Reilly, on behalf of both the RTUC and the Rail,
Maritime and Transport Workers’ Union, took the microphone as the third
speaker. Chris explained that, in recent years, he has been a Green Party
member but – with Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership – he has joined the Labour Party
and urges everyone not already a member to follow his lead. In contrast to the
Labour Party of pro-business and illegal wars, Corbyn has brought principle and
ideas back to the party. Now – instead of voting for Labour as the lesser of
two evils – we can vote for a leader of integrity in the confidence that a
Corbyn government will follow through on its pledges. Corbyn is not engaging in
the xenophobia and racism of the anti-immigration debate but instead has argued
for a reformed, social Europe – a position that ensured 60% of Labour
supporters voted ‘remain’ in the EU referendum. Chris did not advocate slavish
support of the Labour Party but encourages a large party membership to hold
the leader and its MPs to account. Now is the greatest time to engage in this
role as a Labour Party member. And other people appear to hold this
perspective. 60,000 new members have joined the party in the past week. The
party is now larger than it was under Blair in the heady days of his first
election victory in 1997. But many will leave is Corbyn is toppled – because only
Corbyn and his socialist allies represent the views of working people in this country.
Chris closed by reading from a letter by Labour councillors around the country
supporting Corbyn’s leadership – and Chris paid tribute to the two Reading
councillors whose names appear in the letter – Ashley Pearce and Paul Woodward.
To the gathering’s surprise and delight, Ashley Pearce made himself
known in the audience! Chris's full speech can be found here.
John Partington, as RTUC Communications Officer, closed the event by again thanking the speakers for their encouraging and informative words and thanking the audience for assembling to show their support for and solidarity with Corbyn. John also urged those present to follow the Reading Trades Union Council's Blog and Facebook page, where future events are publicised and debate engaged in. He also promoted the RTUC's next event - a picnic in honour of the 1916 women's strike at Huntley and Palmers' Biscuit Factory, which will be held on Sunday, 3 July, from 14.00-17.00 at Kings Road Gardens.
