An estimated 110,000 people attended Tommy Robinson's “Unite the Kingdom” march on 13 September. This, and many other mobilisations outside aslyum seekers' accommodation, have boosted the anti-Muslim, anti-immigrant far right. And this street movement now flanks the far larger support for the anti-immigrant Reform party of Nigel Farage.
The right has gained from Trump’s second victory in the US and the political aftermath of the 2008 crash and Brexit in the UK. Another element is are the policies of Labour, passing on cuts to working-class people, and failing to address the deep social problems working-class people face.
Unfortuately the left and the trade unions are not well-equipped to tackle this threat. The counter-demonstration on 13 September mustered far-less than 10,000, lacked stewards and plans to defend itself from the far right and would have been attacked had the police not stood in the way.
We – the left, labour movement and minority communities - must be prepared to defend ourselves. The unions must take responsibility for campaigning and confronting the new racist right-wing movement in our workplaces and communities.
Where does the new far right come from? How can we mobilise against it? How can we stop a Reform-Tory government? What is the role of the left? What socialist policies do we need? These and other questions will be discussed at our meeting.
All welcome!
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