Hundreds of working-class activists, trade unionists and students poured into the workshops and rallies of Socialism 2024, held in central London, on 9-10 November to discuss how a fighting socialist opposition to Labour leader and prime minister Keir Starmer’s war and austerity government can be built.
We met just four months after Starmer was elected, with attacks already raining down on working-class and young people, far-right riots, war, and the election of Donald Trump in the US, all stirring up questions, fears and the desire to fight back.
Over 700 bought tickets in advance, and many more turned up on the day. With a choice of 37 workshops and four rallies, it’s impossible to report on it all!
Workshops ranged from Marxist economics and philosophy to AI and climate catastrophe. How is a Palestinian state realisable; is society becoming more misogynist; what will life be like for disabled people under Starmer; struggle in Sri Lanka and Nigeria; the US after Trump’s election. How we can win fighting trade unions, and young people and students fighting back, were key themes.
First-time attenders, young leaders and organisers, talking with experienced trade unionists and activists – the corridors and bars buzzed with discussion.
The big Saturday rally pulled all the themes together. Far from feeling doom-laden in the face of the ‘age of monsters’, the hall was brimming with optimism in the potential for working-class and young people to organise and fight back, armed with socialist ideas.
The optimism was reflected in the financial appeal, which raised a huge £49,474. £30,670
For more reports of the Socialism London event, see:
Passion and socialist action: Socialism 2024 – Socialist Party
