The Unite Against Fascism National Conference took place last week in the TUC conference centre.
Speakers included: Ken Livingstone, Glyn Ford MEP, Edie Freidman JCORE, Dr Abdul Bari MCB, Billy Hayes CWU, John McClure - Reverend and the makers, Weyman Bennett UAF, Sabby Dhalu UAF & NAAR, and Martin Smith - Love Music Hate Racism.
The conference began with an overview of how we can fight the fascist BNP, the main auditorium was packed with an eclectic mix of people, differing in race, gender, age, sexuality, religion etc. The opening speakers discussed the relationship between recession and the rise of fascism.
Workshops were organised into smaller seminar rooms, with the following themes; Racism and rebutting myths, Music against Racism and Fascism, organised by LMHR and Campaigning against the BNP in the European Elections.
The workshop I attended focused on a strategy for combating the fascist BNP in the forthcoming European elections. The discussion proved insightful and inspiring, some very dedicated people and from trade unions and community organisations detailed how they were fighting back - I was impressed by their knowledge and determination.
The final meeting saw hundreds of people cram into the main auditorium once more. We heard from Ken Livingstone, Peter Hain MP, Wes Streeting (NUS President), Mark Serwotka (General Secretary PCS) and Martin Smith (LMHR)
The speakers made historical comparisons with the fight we face today, with Peter Hain MP and Martin Smith both involved in the precursor to UAF, the Anti Nazi League. They spoke passionately about the work of the UAF and how important that it is to organise and defeat the fascists once again.
Organise locally and nationally and encourage people to vote, the overarching strategy of the UAF is just that. Get people to vote in your area. This could mean setting up stalls, selling newspapers, knocking on doors to ensure people are registered to vote and are going to do so. The fascist BNP do not have wide support and with high voter turnout, they will not gain positions of electoral office.
All speakers advocated that the fight should be led from the left and discounted the idea of a 'centre led' fight against the BNP as nonsense. The idea of encouraging people to tactically vote was also dismissed; we simply have to get people to vote for anyone but the fascist BNP.
We are many, they are few. A sentiment that emerged from the conference which, will run through the European election offensive and beyond.
What next?
- Regional conferences in the South West, Stoke, Yorkshire and Humberside and the Midlands
- National Days of Action – 4/5 April, 2/3 May, 30/31 May. Involving leafleting and campaigning in our city centres against the BNP
- www.uaf.org.uk
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