Terry Pierce (TP); Andy Price (AP); Greg Maughan (GM); Dave Nellist (DN); Hannah Sell (HS); Pete McLaren (PM); Jeremy Dewar (JD)
Roger Bannister; Clare Paillard; Glen Kelly; Gerry Byrne
agreed as a correct record
a) Declaration signatures – It was announced these now stood at 3067, adding that this figure would quickly rise if we were more active. Dave Nellist suggested we improve the emailing of our monthly bulletin to supporters, group supporters locally, and devise a standard response for all new signatories. These suggestions were agreed
b) Web site – It was reported this was being regularly updated, and there had been an increase in visitors to the site, with up to 34,000 hits a month, although the number varied. It was agreed we start the blog with Mark Serwotka's article on the need for a new left alternative, and the SP's reply. Dave Nellist suggested new articles to comment on every couple of weeks, and a limit of 300 words per response. He also called for us to do more to encourage those visiting the site to become CNWP supporters. All these suggestions were agreed
c) Local activity – the success of the CNWP public meeting in Manchester on 29 January was reported. At this meeting, it was agreed that local supporters of the campaign would write to all unaffiliated trade union branches urging them to stand candidates in the upcoming council elections. Officers agreed that this was a good initiative and called on other regional CNWP supporters to organise similar public meetings.
The following actions were agreed:
Greg Maughan reported a bank balance of £1674.62, with £205 coming from the Christmas Raffle. He explained why a new more secure Standing Order Form was needed. It was agreed to renew the raffle license, and to start paying off the debt to the SP at £150 per month
Pete McLaren circulated the three new media releases issued since the last Steering Committee
It was agreed to organize CNWP Fringe meetings at all major TU conferences this year, prioritizing the RMT, CWU, PCS and NUT. A forum/debate was suggested, to involve the CNWP with those on the left who disagreed with our campaign for a new workers party. Terry Pierce agreed to work on a new leaflet for these meetings, and agreed to book venues.
It was further agreed to fully implement all the proposals put forward by the Steering Committee, as follows
Pete McLaren moved the resolution from the Socialist Alliance, left over from the Steering Committee, on
Pete McLaren argued the need for a timescale to be established in the campaign to build a new left party. He defined a campaign as an operation to achieve a purpose, and he argued the time had come to take stock and decide how close our campaign was to achieving its purpose. He explained that the SA felt that, by establishing membership, inclusive affiliation and policy discussion groups, the CNWP would start to develop into a pro party alliance – a pre-party formation. This would help towards achieving its purpose.
There was some sympathy with the SA view, but the majority felt a timetable was not sensible, as the creation of a new party would depend on the tempo of the class struggle. Other points made were
Pete McLaren replied to the debate, arguing that the resolution would move the campaign forward and start the long process of establishing a structure for what would still be a campaign for a new workers party. Dave Nellist, in the chair, summed up what had been agreed earlier in the meeting, and suggested that if it all was successful, that could lead to a membership structure. He also felt there should be no timetable: if external events demanded it, or thousands came on board, a new political formation was more likely.
The SA resolution was not put, and remains on the table