The 'organic' unity forum

by Paul Brandon

I chaired or more accurately facilitated the Right to Work campaign's unity forum in central London yesterday, Sunday 5 December. The question we posed in advance was ' how can we unite to stop the cuts.'

We have never been under any illusions such a question posed to the left in Britain carries potential conflict. But those of us who've spoken around the country this year know it's a demand being made by the emerging grassroots anti cuts campaigns. 

The meeting kicked off around 11.20 and finished three hours later. Not bad for meeting which pulled together 60 representatives from a diverse set of characters on the left. It was a meeting where mainstream trade unions sat alongside libertarians and revolutionaries, socialist party and labour party members and single issue campaigners. And many more. An achievement in itself. A peace process slowly trundles on.

I have this thing about organic development in some situations especially where it's potentially delicate. A lesson learnt chairing some rough and tumble trade union meetings in the past. Some in the meeting made it quite clear that 'organic' didn't mean much to them. In this context it means having a 'going with flow' element to a meeting. It’s designed to create a bit more time and space so those present can freely contribute. Work in progress perhaps, although I think it did work in the meeting.

The Right to Work campaign has for some months now advocated an organic approach to the emerging anti cuts movement and we’ve said strongly no single group should declare itself the leadership. Its all about the ‘spirit of cooperation’

My thing about 'organic' meetings was tested early on. The meeting room was arranged in a traditional way with a top table and rows of chairs looking at said table. Someone suggested we should come together in a circular fashion so ' we can see each others faces' and ' talk to each other '. I thought it a good idea as it seemed to tap into the new mood and the student movements way of conducting meetings.

I took on the role of a facilitator in the style of those roving hosts that wander during studio debates. It felt very different but the times are clearly changing and I've thought for a while now Lord Citrines ABC of chairmanship - the formulae most committee meetings adhere to - needs challenging.

The discussion that followed was one of constructive dialogue with a series of speakers from the floor offering a view on the current state of play and potential ways forward. A number of references were made to the inspirational student movement which bearing in mind is only a few weeks old already is influencing an older generation.

There were inevitable disagreements but it was conducted in a very comradely spirit but without a dilution of passion. As facilitator it seemed to me a meeting where things… well just needed to be said and removed out the way. The next meeting I sense will be more focused as a result. There will be a recall meeting where I hope those who attended will return.   

The Right to Work campaign said throughout the meeting we are prepared to throw our People's Convention on February open to the 'movement' to shape and participate in as they wish. With the TUC march on the 26th March it was obvious to everyone it will act a mobilising event so why not have broad forces involved. We will be sending out details about a planning meeting in due course.

Avanti.

 

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