No to fire cuts!

The recently honoured Chief Fire Officer of Devon and Somerset, Paul Young, is pressing ahead with plans to remove full time fire cover from towns across Devon and Somerset, echoing cuts that have had fatal consequences elsewhere, such as Newquay.

Devon Socialist Party completely condemns this dangerous penny-pinching and fully supports the fight of the FBU and all other local campaigns against the cuts. It is obvious to us that the proposed cuts are universally unpopular. We have collected many signatures against the cuts across Devon. Some opponents of cuts try to plead a special case for their town. We have seen this in Exmouth and Ilfracombe. This is not only a strategy that would disastrously undermine the unity that is needed to bin the proposal, but also if successful would only give the town a temporary reprieve until the next round of cuts.

We call for unity across Devon and Somerset against all cuts. We stand against measures which seem to be aimed at opening the Fire Service up for privatisation, which FBU general secretary, speaking at our Socialism 2007 event in November, made clear is top of the Government's agenda for the Fire Service, just as it is for the NHS, education and postal services.

New article - socialists and the smoking ban

Is available on our sister site - Devon Socialist Articles

Important articles to end the year

The view of the Socialist Party and the internation organisation we are affiliated to, the CWI, on the big national and international issues as 2007 draws to a close:

Socialist Movement condemns the killing of Benazir Bhutto

Defend Tommy Sheridan against State/Murdoch witchhunt

Committee for a Workers' International prepares for 2008

Problems of building new workers' parties

China's capitalist counter-revolution, a view on the nature of China's state.

Depression Hits Robinson Crusoe's Island

Written by Mary Atterbury, the tale below is taken from a leaflet produced by the trade union 'Industrial Workers of the World':


"Friday," said Robinson Crusoe, "I'm sorry, I fear I must lay you off."

"What do you mean, Master?"

"Why, you know there's a big surplus of last year's crop. I don't need you plant another this year. I've got enough goatskin coats to last me a lifetime. My house needs no repairs. I can gather turtle eggs myself. There's an overproduction. When I need you I'll send for you. You needn't wait around here."

"That's alright, Master, I'll plant my own crop, build up my own hut and gather all the eggs and nuts I want myself. I'll get along fine."

"Where will you do all this, Friday?"

"Here on this island."

"This island belongs to me, you know. I can't allow you to that. When you can't pay me anything I need I might as well not own it."

"Then I'll build a canoe and fish in the ocean. You don't own that."

"That's all right, provided you don't use any of the trees for your canoe, or build it on my land, or use my beach for a landing place, and do your fishing far enough away so you don't interfere with my off-shore rights."

"I never thought of that, Master. I can do without a boat, though. I can swim over to that rock and fish there and gather sea-gull eggs."

"No you won't, Friday. The rock is mine. I own the off-shore rights."

"What shall I do, Master?"

"That's your problem, Friday. You're a free man, and you know about freedom being maintained here."

"I guess I'll starve, Master. May I stay here until I do? Or shall I swim beyond your 12-mile limit and drown or starve there?"

"I've thought of something , Friday. I don't like to carry my rubbish down to the shore each day. You may stay and do that. Then whatever is left of it, after my dog and cat have fed, you may eat. You're in luck."

"Thank you, Master. That is true charity."

"One more thing, Friday. This island is over-populated. Fifty percent of the people are unemployed. We are undergoing a severe depression, and there is no way that I can see to end it. No one but a charlatan would say that he could. So keep a lookout and let no one land here to live. And if any ship comes don't let them land any goods of any kind. You must be protected against foreign labour. Conditions are fundamentally sound, though. And prosperity is just around the corner."

Inequality - the human cost ...an article on our new articles website

To keep this website a place for news, reports and announcements about events, we try to keep articles quite short. We have had a few, but we plan to publish some interesting and insightful articles about key issues such as inequality, low pay and class with a focus on Devon over the coming weeks. We have therefore decided to create a new website for these articles, at http://devonsocialistarticles.wordpress.com . When we add an article to that website we will put a notice on this main website to let you know.

Starting off the new website is an article on inequality and health, by DL, an NHS worker and Campaign for a New Workers' Party supporter who earlier on in the year reviewed the book 'Blackshirts in Devon' for this site.

Please visit the new website to read the article, and look out on this main website for news of any new articles over the coming weeks.

NHS demo and anti-BNP protest

In response to the Exeter University Debating Society's reckless calling of a debate on the question of whether the BNP should be allowed a platform on campus (a position we strongly disagree with as the presence of fascists, which the hard-core BNP members undoubtedly are, leads to intimidation and violence against groups such as ethnic minorities and homosexuals, and also gives the impression that the BNP are a legitimate political party which only lends them credibility), Devon Socialist Party, and other groups such as Exeter Socialist Students, Exeter Socialists and Devon NUT, organised a protest outside the debating chamber.

The debate was won (if not on strength of argument but because the right wingers who see having fascists on campus as a 'cracking wheeze' dominate the Debating Society turned out in force) by those proposing the BNP be allowed on campus to spread their poison and cause safety issues for large numbers of students. They will now undoubtedly try to invite someone like BNP Fuhrer Nick Griffin down to speak, something which will be resisted by all anti-fascist campaigners. As last Friday, the Socialist Party and Socialist Students (who organised the protest last week) will be at the forefront.

On the Saturday, Socialist Party and Socialist Students members travelled from Exeter to London to go on the march to defend the NHS. It would be fair to say that the four main things you could always see on the demonstration were people, banners for the health union UNISON, banners for the general union Unite and Socialist Party members, placards, banners or papers.

The rally held at the end of the demo was kept deliberately non-political by the UNISON leadership, who seem determined to remain several centimetres up the Prime Ministers unmentionable. In UNISON they bitterly oppose any attempt to question the donation of millions of pounds of UNISON members money to the New Labour government that is kicking them in the teeth and the NHS in the direction of private sector fat cats.

We say - Break the link with New Labour - don't fund those who kick us in the teeth
- Support the Campaign for a New Workers Party and candidates standing on anti-cuts and save the NHS platforms
- Link up the local NHS campaigns to form a fighting national 'Save our NHS' campaign free from the obstructions of the likes of UNISON leader Dave Prentis

Save our NHS national demo - free bus places left

On Saturday 3rd November there will be a national 'Save our NHS' demonstration in central London. Socialist Party members will be out in force as always, arguing not just that the NHS is an essential serve, but that the privatisation and introduction of markets and competition needs to be stopped and reversed.

The NHS needs to be a public funded and democratically run organisation to be a success. Cuts and siphoning off money to the wallets of rich shareholders of PFI and private health companies removes money from front line services and results in overstretched staff, fewer services and the rise of the superbugs MRSA and C. difficile.

The demonstration, organised by the health union UNISON, starts at 11am at Temple Place, Victoria Embankment. UNISON in Exeter and Barnstaple are running buses to (and from) the demo. There are still free seats left on the buses, which leave Exeter at 7am and Barnstaple at 5.30am (from the Square). If you are interested in getting the Exeter bus, please contact Jim at maj_mij@hotmail.co.uk. If you are interested in getting the Barnstaple bus, please contact Sue Harte on 01271 322353 or unisonhealthndevon@hotmail.co.uk .

It is still time to drive out the profiteers and save the NHS! Please make it to the demonstration if you can!

Health and inequality in Devon

The most recent Annual Report of the Devon Directors of Public Health (‘Health in Devon’, December 2006) makes shocking reading. Acknowledging the persistent health inequalities in the county, it states ‘Recently published data from the south west public health observatory indicates a life expectancy gap of 18 years between the people living in the healthiest geographical areas of Devon, and the unhealthiest’. Yes, 18 years, in picturesque, sunny Devon, in the fourth richest country in the world.


There will shortly be a full article on this blog about this fundamental issue.

No to fire service cuts!

After the usual sham of 'consultation', Devon and Somerset Fire Authority have decided to axe 25 jobs in the fire service in Devon, despite a budget surplus of £1 million. The jobs will go in Barnstaple, Exeter, Plymouth and Torquay and will leave these towns and cities and the areas they serve undermanned. In the event that an aerial hydraulic platform is needed for a rescue, firefighters will have to leave their posts either manning another engine or fighting a fire to operate it.

It seems fire chiefs have learnt absolutely nothing from the tragedy in Newquay over the summer, when three people died in the fire at the Penhallow Hotel. Fire cuts in Cornwall meant there were not enough firefighters or working equipment locally to tackle the blaze. Firefighters and equipment had to come from Plymouth (50 miles away).

As with the NHS and the postal services, we must fight to retain adequate levels of fire cover. Cuts kill, and the Devon Socialist Party is campaigning for no cuts in firefighters, engines or equipment, and for firefighters to be properly paid for the dangerous but essential work they do. The Fire Brigades Union is urging people to write to the Chief Fire Officer for Devon and Somerset to protest against these dangerous and unnecessary cuts. Please send your letters of protest (when the postal workers are moving to rolling strikes next week) to:

Chief Fire Officer
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service
SHQ
Clyst St George
Exeter
EX3 0NW

Devon Postal Strike round up

Socialist Party and Socialist Students members visited the picket line at the Mail Centre in Exeter twice at midday and at midnight on Friday. Only 6 workers in this large mail centre scabbed, with the vast majority of workers solid in supporting this strike. When we raised the issue of the need for a new workers' party, pickets expressed firm support for our ideas and are mystified why the leadership continues to fund New Labour, who are behind the privatisation, cuts and job losses in the postal service and public services in general.

In Barnstaple the strike remained solid and the determination of the strikers to continue the fight was evident. Local Socialist Partymembers in North Devon are currently working to try and unite the public sector unions behind the postal workers and againstprivatisation and cuts in the public sector as a whole.

In Teignmouth and Newton Abbot, the determination to see this one out reflected what we saw and heard in Exeter. Socialist Party strike leaflets and 10 copies of the socialist were snapped up as postal workers welcomed a clear explanation of their cause. In conversations there was a higher level of political discussion than in previous strikes with many recognising that New Labour never repealed Thatcher's oppressive anti-trade union laws. Many of picket expressed anger at the media and the bullying attitude of some local managers. Tempers rose with the arrival of 'scab' agency workers at one point management threaten to call the police to arrest the socialist reporter, unfortunately for them they did not know where the picket line ought to be. This is the same management who refuse to give postal workers an opportunity to earn £8 an hour - instead they preferred to use agency workers at £18 an hour of which these receive £6.50 an hour.

Strikers felt that they were in a powerful position with the run up to Christmas. However they recognise that they will face hardship with the lack of funds for their families. During discussions the idea of setting up a South Devon Support Group was brought up. The need to build links with other unions and other members of the public was seen as vital. This would then link up with other groups in Exeter and North Devon.

Support the postal workers

With news that the Communication Workers Union are to stage two further 48 hour strikes from Noon on Thursday 4th October to Noon on Saturday 6th October and from 3am on Monday 8th October to 3am on Wednesday 10th October, the Socialist Party would like to express our support once more for the struggle of the postal workers in fighting job cuts, privatisation and pay cuts. We will be joining CWU members on picket lines and delivering leaflets outlining the case for the action by the striking postal workers to the public at large.

If you would like to help in these crucial acts of solidarity please email Devon Socialist Party at socialistpartydevon.gmail.com .

Despite UNISON members accepting a pay cut after minor concessions by the Government there is an excellent opportunity for the public sector unions to unite to oppose pay and job cuts, and the process of privatisation and marketisation that is destroying our vital public services.

Here in Devon we face post office closures, severe reductions in postal services, cuts in fire cover, library closures, benefit office closures and also reduction in the numbers of NHS staff ans services. There is also the ongoing scandal of a lack of quality affordable housing. Only a fightback by workers and campaigners can stem this tide. For this political and industrial struggles need to be united under the banner of a new party for workers, linked with the building of the Shop Stewards Network to link up fighting trade unionists in all unions.

14/8 Exeter branch meeting

Aside from organisational issues, the main topics of discussion and debate at the branch meeting were the world situation and the ongoing industrial action by the CWU. Also discussed was the possibility of a general election in October and events in September, October and November.

On the subject of the CWU/Royal Mail dispute, JL outlined the situation as it has unfolded to date, including the one-day strikes, the staggered strikes and the current postponement. He emphasised the support for the strikes by not just the vast majority of postal workers but the public as well. However, the leaders of the CWU seem to be pursuing a course of action better suited to getting a few concessions rather than the outright victory that is needed (for more details of the CWU action see previous posts on this site). In the discussion that followed JK talked about the strikes by Post Office counter workers, which were about the closure of 70 Crown Post Offices and the provision of the services in WH Smiths instead. AC pointed our attentions to the national demonstration in London on the 21st August. SB and JT also made some points related to the action in Devon and the tactics of the union leadership, which seems at odds with the attitudes and determination of the postal workers on the ground.

In the discussion on the world situation, JT gave a report on the event recently held in Belgium for members of parties affiliated to the Committee for a Workers' International (CWI). Socialists from all over the world gathered to discuss issues such as the ongoing crisis in the middle east, American imperialism, the environment and many other issues. A report of the event can be found in the latest issue of 'the socialist'. An online version of the report is available on the Socialist Party website. A report is also available on the website of China Worker (thanks to Leftwing Criminologist for the information about this link).

Recent postal action update from 'the socialist'

PUBLIC SUPPORT for the Communication Workers Union (CWU) action remains strong and in Bideford on 2 August only four out of 80 crossed the lines and scabbed. In Ilfracombe only two went in. And in Barnstaple only five out of 138 workers went in with no slippage in support.
Socialist Party members are helping to distribute CWU leaflets and have been approached by CWU reps to start organising a rally with other unions - NUT, UNISON, FBU - and are looking to contacts with the PCS and RMT. The theme will be 'Public Service not Private Profit'. It is hoped to expand this to other areas.

In the 'English Riveria', Torquay, a very effective leadership has led to a solid 100% turnout of CWU members. There are reports of unoffical 'work to contracted hours' and rows over use of workers' own cars, which has saved this bullying management millions of pounds over the years.
This '100%' was reflected in Newton Abbot. Teignmouth remains at 95% out, with reports coming in of agency workers being used. This apparently is illegal and a waste of time - one agency worker finished their round on a non-strike day at 7.30pm!

Sean Brogan

----UPDATE----

Since this was published in 'the socialist' the strike action has been postponed until September. Worringly, negotiations are taking place in secret behind closed doors, with only Royal Mail bosses Leighton and Crozier and CWU General Secretary Billy Hayes and Deputy General Secretary Dave Ward present. It does seem that Hayes and Ward are prepared to just get a few scraps off of Crozier and Leighton, despite the fact that anything short of complete victory for the postal workers in this struggle would open the doors for privatisation and the break up of the postal service which will lead to further setbacks in the future and weaken the power of the union to campaign and fight for its members.

JL

Devon SP in this weeks 'the socialist'

In this weeks 'the socialist', the newspaper of the Socialist Party, there is a special centre-pages feature on the postal strikes. Included in this is a report from Devon Socialist Party secretary on what has been going on across Devon, and our activities. The report is reproduced below:

Devon

Only a handful worked in Barnstaple and Bideford with over 95% out on strike. The strike was solid in Exeter even though there were only a few pickets there due to a different change-over time.

In Mid and South Devon the CWU scored notable successes in bringing out and unionising the delivery office at Chagford and achieving total stoppage at Bovey Tracey. Small towns and villages they may be but it shows the strength of feeling that exists and what can be done by active trade unionists.

Thanks in helping the strike were given by CWU reps to a Socialist Party member when he visited the Newton Abbot picket line. A simple letter sent to local newspapers supporting the cause had been reprinted by the union and sent to all CWU branches. The stoppage at Newton Abbot was 100%. At Teignmouth six worked out of 30.

Plans are being laid for when the next strike is called to visit the picket lines of Torquay and other towns and encourage trade unionists to show solidarity by visiting the picket lines.

Sean Brogan, secretary, Devon Socialist Party

17/7 Exeter branch meeting

At the recent Exeter branch meeting, the ongoing postal strikes were discussed, as well as the situation in Northern Ireland and the growth in membership of the Socialist Party in Devon, the south west and nationally.

Introducing the discussion was SB, who outlined the changed situation in Northern Ireland over the past few years, and since the accession to power of bitter foes Ian Paisley (pictured left, of the Unionist DUP) and Martin McGuinness (pictured right, of the nationalist-republican party Sinn Fein). He said that it was noticably quieter, and the police now walked the streets, albeit still carrying arms. Beneath this sheen though still lies the reality that the sectarian divide still remains and the national question remains unresolved.

The DUP-Sinn Fein government, despite being in office for some months now, has little to say on the contentious issues of health, housing and education. Both parties are committed to neo-liberal anti-working class policies, and sectarian politics. A new party needs to be formed in Northern Ireland based on a socialist programme uniting workers from both communities. Sectarian schooling and housing, which entrenches the conscious policy of the British ruling class of divide and rule, need to be ended.

The national question, in Ireland as well as Cyprus, Palestine/Israel, Kashmir, Sri Lanka and elsewhere cannot be solved under a capitalist system which promotes divisions between workers in order to exploit them. SB recommended books by the secretary of the Socialist Party of Northern Ireland (affiliated to the same international organisation as us, the CWI) Peter Hadden, particularly 'Beyond the Troubles' and 'Divide and Rule'. Both books are available online, if you click on the titles.

Regarding the postal strike, those present at the branch meeting talked about their experiences on the picket line, and in a discussion we discussed the propects for the action, the postal service and how we would work to help the postal workers in any way we could.

CWU action and Shop Stewards Conference report

Postal workers staged a second 24-hour strike over 12-13th July. Devon Socialist Party members have again supported the strike across Devon. There will be a fuller report on this website on Friday, but briefly, it is clear that the strike was still near solid. Going by our experiences on the picket lines, the CWU's estimate of 90+% seems accurate. The Royal Mail's claim of 5-60% is laughable.

In parts of Devon, Socialist Party members have also raised money for the striking postal workers, written letters to local newspapers, and delivered union leaflets outlining the reasons behind the action, and countering the misinformation of the Royal Mail bosses.

The important thing now is to keep up the pressure on the arrogant Royal Mail management who refuse even to negotiate with the representatives of the people who actually make our postal service work, and don't get fat million-pound bonuses for it. Public sector unity in opposing privatisation is also essential, as all parts of the public sector face similar threats.

The National Shop Stewards Network held its first conference on the 7th July, attended by nearly 300 trade unionists, and addressed by RMT (Rail and Maritime Transport) general secretary Bob Crow (pictured, left), PCS (Civil servants' union) general secretary Mark Serwotka and PCS President Janice Godrich.

There is a full report on the Socialist Party website here, but it's worth putting on here the significance of the establishment of the network, which in the words of Bob Crow, "will be seen as the starting point in rebuilding the TUC". The network, when it grows and develops, will play a key role in uniting workplace struggles and fighting for decent pay and conditions and opposing pay cuts and freezes and privatisation.

Also significant was the closing address by Bob Crow:

"We can't separate the trade union and the political path. We can have a great shop stewards' movement that can get pay rises and so on, but when the economy goes down those gains are taken back. That's why I argue we need not just new militant trade unionism but an alternative political party."

We fully endorse that position, which we have been arguing for quite some time, and campaigning for it in the form of the Campaign for a New Workers' Party.

Devon Socialist Party in this weeks 'the socialist' and postal workers campaign update

Presumably owing to space, only one report of the postal strike from Devon appeared in this weeks the socialist, the weekly newspaper of the Socialist Party. That report, on the strike in Barnstaple, can be found here.

Socialist Party members supported pickets in Plymouth, Teignmouth, Newton Abbot and Exeter as well as in North Devon.

There was also a report on the successful new members and contacts meeting we held last week. That cannot be found on the website, so we reprint it here:

New members' meeting

The Socialist Party in Devon held a successful new members' and supporters' meeting where Robin Clapp, the South West regional secretary, answered questions on the Socialist Party's programme, our history and ideas.

The first aim of the meeting was to introduce the Socialist Party's programme to our supporters, many of whom, having only met us in the last few months, had never been to our meetings before. Many at the meeting asked why we follow the ideas of Marxism, and how that relates to our day-to-day campaigning.

Secondly, we hoped that this meeting would make the ideas of Marxism more accessible to newer party members. Many people can find the political terminology and theories complicated. We therefore need to take time to discuss and explain and read so all our members understand why and how Marxism gives us the tools to build a socialist alternative to capitalism. Two people decided to join the Socialist Party after the meeting and we sold six copies of the socialist.

Jim Thomson, Exeter Socialist Party

Meanwhile in a new development, the postal workers union, the CWU have announced fresh strike action starting at 7pm on Thursday 12th July. Devon Socialist Party fully supports this action, and will again do everything we can to support the postal workers, politically and practically, in any way we can, in what may become a protracted struggle. The future of tens of thousands of jobs, the pay and conditions for those who keep their jobs, and our postal service is at stake.

Postal strike - brief update

This is only a brief update on today's postal strike, there will be a more detailed report soon, when we have all reports in from Socialist Party members who have supported the postal workers across Devon, from Barnstaple in the north to Plymouth in the south to Exeter in the east, and plenty of places in between.

Generally though, the strike was near solid, and in Newton Abbot it was 100% out. The atmosphere on the picket line was determined and generally there was a good spirit. Our leaflets, copies of the Socialist and support were well received, and the postal workers can be sure we are behind them 100%. Speaking to some of the strikers, it is clear that while they are angry over the 'pay rise' of 2.5% they have been offered (which, with inflation standing at 5%, loss of early start bonuses and strings attached including mass cuts and 40,000 job losses, has got to be one of the measliest 'rises' ever offered), the main reason behind the strike was the privatisation and commercialisation of a public service.

Support for the strike from the general public was high (and very enthusiastic), proving once again that ordinary people can see through the lies, distortions and manipulations of the government and Royal Mail management.

It is not thought that managers working today had much of an impact on the effectiveness of the strike, being collectively described by one worker as 'about as efficient as a sponge in the Sahara desert'!

Concrete steps will now be taken in North Devon to forge public sector unity, by arranging a join meeting of all the public sector unions to move forward, campaign and fight together.

Good riddance

Devon Socialist Party would just like say, to ex-PM Tony Blair, a fond farewell. We have much to thank 'Tony' for, not least hundreds of thousands of dead Iraqis, Afghanis, Lebanese, British and Americans, low wage Britain being a haven for exploitative big business, the privatisation and destruction of the NHS, Royal Mail/Post Office, education and many others, the continued death of manufacturing and agriculture, racist attacks on immigrants, the continuing disgrace of public transport, the failure to build any affordable social housing, the fast erosion of civil liberties, keeping the most restrictive trade union laws in western Europe, and I could go on all night.

We welcome the new PM, Tweedledum to Mr Blair's Tweedledee, Mr Brown. Mr Brown excitingly promises a 'new kind of politics' and 'change'. It's a good job Mr Brown didn't vote for and support any of the things I outlined above, otherwise unkind people might call him an unprincipled careerist hypocrite, a warmongerer, privatiser and job slasher.

Devon Socialist Party (and the Socialist Party nationally) looks forward to fighting war and occupation, cuts and privatisations whenever they might be imposed by Mr Brown or his lieutenants - and work towards building a genuine alternative for workers, campaigners, socialists and youth, by campaigning for a new workers' party. If you want to join us in our campaigns and struggles, please email socialistpartydevon@googlemail.com or if you are interested in the Campaign for a New Workers' Party click here.

The man in the photo, by the way, is John Howson, who was protesting outside Downing Street this morning (when Blair was doing his usual hammy routine on the steps of Number 10) alongside other campaigners from Military Families Against the War.

Competition time

Devon Socialist Party are launching two new competitions with cash prizes!

The Socialist Party needs money raised from members subscriptions and through 'fighting fund' raised in order to print all our materials, maintain premises and equipment in our central offices, pay full-time party workers and arrange events, book venues etc. However, such is the nature of our party that our members are not wealthy and big business aren't queuing up to fund us like the three main parties! We therefore need to run competitions like these to raise funds to enable us to continue our work, fighting against cuts and privatisation and building the ideas of socialism and the Campaign for a New Workers' Party.

The competitions we are announcing today are a Rugby World Cup 2007 sweepstake and the 2007-2008 season football manager sack race sweepstake. Both are £2 for each entry, but there are cash prizes of £10 and £50 respectively for the winners.

The Rugby World Cup sweepstake is simple. You simply pay £2 and are randomly assigned a team.

The football manager sweepstake is nearly as simple. You pay £2 and are randomly assigned a number from 0 to 92. The numbers correspond to the number of Football League and Premiership teams who have the same team manager (or head coach in some cases) at the final whistle on the respective last days of the season, as at kick off on the first day of the 2007-08 season. For instance, if you get 64, you will be aiming for 64 Football eague and Premiership teams having the same manager at the end of the season that they started with.

Incidentally, to illustrate this post I have chosen a picture of Wigan boss Chris Hutchings. For no particular reason, naturally....

If you want to enter please email socialistpartydevon@googlemail.com or come along to an event being held by us (or email us and arrange to meet one of us at or on the way to a national event!). Hope to hear from you soon.

Devon Socialist Party supports the postal workers

With the news that postal workers are set to stage a 24 hour strike on Friday 29th June, the Devon Socialist Party would like to express our solidarity with them and the CWU (Communication Workers' Union), and pledge our support for the action they are taking. On the day of the strike, Socialist Party members in Devon (and elsewhere) will give practical and political support to those taking industrial action.

The reasons behind the action (the 'yes' vote was a resounding 77%) are primarily pay and the direction of the Royal Mail/Post Office.

Justifiably, the CWU think that postal workers should earn the national average wage and that the Royal Mail should not renege on previous agreement. The CWU are also opposed to the privatisation, fragmentation and commercialisation of the postal service that has occurred over these past years and is set to continue. Commercialisation and privatisation is the reason why post offices are closing, conditions at work for postal workers are worsening, pay is being squeezed, and the second post for of the day has been abolished.

Devon Socialist Party calls for the demands of the CWU to be met in full, and for the privatisation and commercialisation of the postal service to be stopped and reversed. Postal services need to be run by a public sector body, democratically run by postal workers and the public at large. No more Post Offices should be closed and any villages or towns lacking a Post Office should be provided with one, even as an adjunct to a local shop.

The CWU has produced a leaflet countering the misinformation coming from the Government and the Royal Mail, which is uncritically reported by the capitalist media. It can be found here.

The Socialist Party leaflet (produced before a date was named for strike action), outlining our views in a little more depth, can be found here.

19/6/07 Exeter branch meeting report + solidarity appeal

After discussing organisational issues including how we will work to support the postal workers and firefighters in their coming struggles, SB led the discussion on why internationalism is so important for a socialist organisation.

Because of the international, globalised nature of capitalism and the need for global unity of workers and poor peasants to replace this system with a system of democratic socialism, socialism and internationalism need to be two sides of the same coin.

In the Socialist Party, this means being part of an international organisation (the Committee for a Workers' International, the CWI) which has organisations and parties affiliated to it in around 40 countries, from Chile to Russia, South Africa to Sweden, New Zealand to Israel. Being a part of an international organisation allows cooperation and coordination of action as well as sharing information - unclouded by the capitalist media - about what is going on in these countries.

Solidarity work also forms a key part of the internationalism of the party, for instance, supporting a CWI member recently arrested in Bolivia.

An internationalist approach, focussing on the power to change the world for the better only the united, organised working class have, serves as a counterpoint to the dead-end of nationalism (swapping one set of oppressors for another) and Stalinist ideas of 'socialism in one country'

The discussion that followed included contributions from all those present, ranging from discussion of how the Socialist Party's position - a consistent focus on the importance of class - differs from other left groups, the heroic and often dangerous work some of our comrades undertake in places like Kazakhstan and Sri Lanka, and how internationalism influences our approach to analysing world affairs and wars (such as in the middle-east).

In summing up SB accepted the points raised in the discussion and added that three books that had helped him in preparing for the meeting, would be useful and instructive to anyone wanting to find out more about internationalism.

These books, from different eras of struggle, are 'Socialism Made Easy' by the Irish revolutionary James Connolly, 'What We [Militant, the forerunner to the Socialist Party] Believe', by Peter Taaffe, and 'Marxism in Today's World', also by Peter Taaffe. All are available from Socialist Books, or for loan if you email Devon Socialist Party at socialistpartydevon@googlemail.com.

--- As this report was being written, details of another solidarity appeal have come through:

KAZAKHSTAN SOCIALIST JAILED AGAIN

Ainur Kurmanov, leader of Socialist resistance (CWI) in Kazakhstan has once again been jailed for five days after participating in a protest in support of residents in the Bakai region of Almata, who for over a year have been resisting forced evictions to allow building speculators to use the land for more profitable projects.

Please protest immediately to the Kazakhstan Embassy: london@kazakhstan-embassy.org.uk

Please also send messages of support to Kazakhstan social protesters and CWI members at:
bolshevik1917@list.ru
with copies to
pabgem@online.ru

22/05 Exeter branch meeting report

The meeting started off with a discussion of organisational issues. JT started off with a report back from the recent National Committee meeting (the Socialist Party elects a National Committee and an Executive Committee to run the party, debate and discuss on strategy etc., and put forward policies and plans to the yearly national congress which discusses and votes on them).

We then discussed ways to improve our internet presence, the fruits of which will be seen over time.

After then talking about fundraising ideas (details of some exciting competitions and events wil appear on this website soon) and the forthcoming National Youth and Student meeting, JL started the discussion on the Israel-Palestine question with a brief outline of the history of the conflict, starting from the dividing up of the old Ottoman Empire, a defeated ally of Germany in the First World War, between Britain and France. The strategies employed by British and French imperialism in the region led to division and ethnic tensions. The introduction and discussion covered issues such as imperialism, nationalism (for instance, why we support the right of democratic self-determination), and the reactionary, anti-working class ideologies of Zionism and Islamism which drive the Israeli state and the Hamas organisation respectively.

As usual there was an informative and comradely discussion of what is a sensitive and complex issue. All at the meeting agreed that the key to successfully analysing the situation is to look at it class terms - both Palestinian and Israeli workers are exploited and oppressed by Israeli imperialism, and Palestinians by their own ruling class, and both are increasingly hostile to those who rule them. There has been mass industrial action over welfare cuts, job cuts and non-payment of wages in both Israel and Palestine, and the key issue is uniting the struggling Israeli and Palestinian workers, and fighting for the establishment of a democratic, socialist, secular Palestinian state alongside a similar democratic socialist secular state of Israel as part of a socialist federation of the middle east.

For more information see the website of the Committee for a Workers' International, the international organisation the Socialist Party is affiliated to, and the website of our sister organisation in Israel, Ma`avak Sotsyalisti.

Grass Roots Union Member Support is Growing

Dear Comrades,

I am a Member and Branch secretary of the T&G. I am proud to be an active part of what I believe is a great Union. I am now actively seeking to encourage the leaders of My Union to Dis-affiliate from New Labour. I have started writing to other Branch secretaries and so far the response has been very positive, many members feel it is time to leave New Labour behind and stop funding a Party that offers us nothing.

I recently attended the CWNP conference in London and was very impressed by the commitment shown by all present. Despite differences between some groups the debate was healthy and productive. I believe the ball is now rolling and nothing New Labour or our reluctant Union leaders do will stop it. It is up to Union activists to come together and encourage members to make their feelings known to the leadership. Through our Branch structure it will be possible to remind Tony Woodley and his cronies that this Union is indeed member led, as they have said on many occasions in many Speeches. I have had many Branch secretaries respond to my letters positively and they have told me that they intend to discuss the CNWP at their next Branch meetings. I encourage Union activists to increase the pressure on our leadership to bring about the change needed to leave the New Labour Party and join the Campaign for a New Workers Party.

I would like to thank the Devon Socialist Party for my invite to the conference and wish them well for the future. I will be setting up my own blog-site detailing how my own campaign through my Union is going. I hope to put a link to my blog-site on here soon, if permitted by the owners of this page.

Yours fraternally

John Stone

T&G 177 Branch secretary

Next Exeter branch meeting - 22nd May - Israel/Palestine

Every fortnight, the Socialist Party holds a branch meeting in Exeter. All members and anyone interested in coming along are welcome. The meetings are informal but businesslike. We discuss events over the past few weeks and plan our activities, campaigns and interventions in the days, weeks and months ahead. We also hear reports on international news and industrial work.

One member will then introduce a discussion on a topic of interest - on the 22nd it will be Jim on Israel and Palestine. After this introduction we will debate and analyse the issues surrounding it. The purpose of this is to educate members and supporters about a wide range of important areas, improve confidence in speaking and debating in public and to deepen understanding of how we as socialists analyse the world. In the past discussions have ranged from the French Revolution to fascism, from nuclear power to the Labour Party, and so on.

We hope you can come along - Tuesday 22nd May 7.30pm Streatham Court E, University of Exeter. If you have any queries please leave a comment or email us at socialistpartydevon@gmail.com.

Campaign for a New Workers' Party conference - a report

On Saturday, four Devon CNWP supporters travelled up to London to attend the second national conference of the Campaign for a New Workers' Party (CNWP). The CNWP is a campaign aimed at building support among socialists, trade unionists and campaigners for the establishment of a new political party, one that explcitly campaigns for workers - a workers' party. Such a party would be able to provide an important united political voice for trade unionists in struggle and campaigners.

At the moment there are 2,500 supporters of the CNWP. In addition to events being held across the country like the one we had in Exeter a few weeks back, we try to gain support for the campaign in our workplaces, unions and campaigns.

The national conference was an opportunity to take stock of the successes and disappointments so far, and to debate and decide upon how further progress might be made. The general consensus seemed to be that steady, if unspectacular progress had been made. Many people have been disillusioned by new parties - the Socialist Labour Party, the Socialist Alliance, Respect - that had failed. Some people are willing to give Mr PFI Gordon Brown the benefit of the doubt. Also, a failure of the campaign has been local groups not notifying the Press Officer Pete McLaren of events that they have held and building they have done. We have been guilty of this, and it means he cannot publicise what is going on, giving the false impression of inactivity. Communications have been a problem in particular, and steps will be taken to send all supporters a monthly bulletin letting them know what is going on with the campaign and update the website more often.

Concerning the direction the campaign needed to take, the officers proposed a resolution updating the declaration to take account of new political developments such as the exit of Blair, as well as some basic points outlining what we stand for. Conference agreed it would put the horse before the cart outlining a fuller programme before a party is even formed, so these basic eleven points were agreed upon -

- Keep health and education public. Stop and reverse cuts in, and the sell off of, our public services. For properly funded, democratically controlled public services for all.
- For decent, affordable public housing for all who want it.
- No to racism and discrimination - oppose the divisive BNP. No to the specific oppression that people suffer due to their ethnic background, nationality, gender, sexuality, age, disabilities or health.
- For a living wage of at least £8 an hour, and a living pension - restore the link with earnings now.
- No to trident nuclear weapons - spend the £76 billion on public services.
- Ownership and planning of energy and transport, leading to massive investment and expansion of renewable energy and clean, public transport.
- Immediate withdrawal of the troops from Iraq and Afghanistan.
- For a democratic republic - a radical extension of democracy including all representatives elected by proportional representation, subject to recall, and paid the average wage.
- No to the capitalist profit system. For a democratic socialist society, based on public ownership of the major corporations that dominate the economy, and run to meet the needs of all, and to protect our environment for future generations, instead of the profits of a few.

There were some amendments put forward aimed at hemming the not-yet-formed party into detailed prescriptions and directions, but these were heavily defeated. Comrades from Workers Power, the Communist Party of Great Britain and the Campaign for a Marxist Party argued that the points outlined above set in stone a strategy of reformism (the idea that a democratic socialist society can be achieved gradually, with parliamentary legislation), as opposed to their proposals setting in stone a revolutionary strategy (proposing workers seize political and economic power now).

There are two arguments against their points. Firstly, the officers' resolution simply stated that we wish to replace the current capitalist system with "a democratic socialist society". The resolution rightly doesn't state how we get to that point - that is a matter for internal debate in the party once it is formed - the different organisations inside the party can argue for their point of view, it shouldn't be determined before the party is even set up. Secondly, the idea that a mass revolutionary party can be built at the present time in England and Wales is ludicrous. The workers movement is still barely recovering from the huge setbacks under Thatcherism, and confidence and political consciousness is still very low.

The debate was passionate but friendly, and there were some welcome new faces, particularly the comrades from the Democratic Labour Party in Walsall. The Democratic Labour Party was formed by socialists who had been chucked out of the Labour Party for being too left wing. They recently won a seat on Walsall council, and the two who spoke were clearly hard working, principled socialist campaigners, precisely the sort of people we need to get on board in this campaign.

There are more extensive reports and records of the motions passed and officer elections on the CNWP website.

Plymouth Power! A book review of Todd Gray's 'Blackshirts in Devon'

There may be many Devonians alive today who probably don’t even realise they have grandparents or great grandparents who are heroes/heroines, There are no statues or plaques in their honour or anniversary tributes but there should be. Perhaps the new Tory Council could arrange a ceremony on the Hoe!

We know a great deal about the effects of the Second World War on places like Exeter and Plymouth but little about the pre-war struggles against the home-grown variety of fascism. A book by Exeter-based historian Todd Gray tells the story at last - ‘The Blackshirts in Devon’.

Gray uses a wide variety of sources to put the story together – local police and Labour Party branch secretary reports, newspaper coverage and national Home Office material. He also provides a wealth of detail from Devonian fascists themselves - letters, newspapers and journals. Unfortunately, there is one major gap in the book – the stories told by anti-fascists, especially how they organised against the fascist threat. Despite that, Gray has given us a fascinating slice of Devon history.

Nationally, Oswald Mosley founded the British Union of Fascists (BUF) in 1932. Within a year BUF branches had been formed across Devon, the first in Plymouth in July 1933. There were small numbers of BUF members in places like Exmouth, Torbay and North Devon and these relied heavily on a few national BUF organisers to keep them going. It’s clear, though, that wherever the BUF attempted to spread their propaganda, there was often local opposition - in Sidmouth an angry crowd threw a fascist into the river.

The main centres of BUF activity were Plymouth and Exeter. According to local police and Labour Party reports, the Plymouth Branch had over a thousand members at its height in 1934. We don’t know what these members’ levels of commitment were. There were various options – regularly buying BUF newspapers and journals, taking part in branch meetings, attending major public meetings, donating regularly. Some may have just joined to gain access to all the facilities available at the large headquarters in Lockyer Street. In the beginning there were about 50-100 active members who organised and attended outdoor meetings, sold newspapers in the street and acted as stewards at street and larger public meetings. In all this seriousness, there were lighter moments in the book – Plymouth BUF members were forced to change their uniforms as they were being mistaken for tram conductors!

Plymouth BUF met with opposition from the start. As the months went by this grew in numbers and temper, heckling and harassing at virtually every public event organised by the fascists. This constant harrying wore the BUF down. This can be seen by charting the number of stewards they were able to muster at certain meetings. In February 1934 they had about 60. On April 6th (in the Octagon) there were 14 and at a September meeting at Prince Rock only 3 were available. For most of 1934 the police were having great difficulty in keeping order at all. At one point (on June 13th 1934), they were unable to cope with such a large and hostile crowd of anti-fascists without the intervention of a passing navy patrol!

A BUF branch had existed in Exeter since late 1933 and became the main centre of fascist activity in Devon after the Plymouth branch’s collapse. There was a brief flurry of activity in 1936 and 1937 but they made little headway – partly because of organised opposition by local anti-fascists but also because as the War loomed, the increasing association of the BUF with German Nazism damaged their credibility even further. The Exeter Branch became so weak and ineffective it was forced into joint activity with Dorchester fascists.

Gray acknowledges the effect of anti-fascists in reducing the possible influence of the BUF in Devon but concluded that changes in tactics as a result of decisions made in London by Mosley were the main reason for the decline – he mentions the adoption in Plymouth of the violent tactics employed by the BUF in the East End of London, resulting in the loss of the Plymouth branch in 1935.

But large-scale opposition had already severely dented the BUF influence in Plymouth by the end of the summer of 1934 – witness the substantially reduced numbers of stewards the BUF could muster by then. Plymouth BUF had become so beleaguered by the anti-fascists that a last desperate bid to bolster them was made by arranging a public meeting addressed by Mosley in early October 1934, along with importing violent BUF toughs from other parts of the country, particularly the East End of London. This led to more violent disorder, including a confrontation in the Market Square on October 11th. The Western Morning News reported that about 10,000 anti-fascists were present. As a result of these disturbances, three fascists were imprisoned at Exeter following assault charges. By November 1934 the Plymouth BUF had virtually disappeared, thanks to the efforts, all told, of thousands of Plymothians.

All these events took place about seventy years ago, so what is the relevance of the book now? Well, it finally acknowledges the role of thousands of un-named and unknown Devonians who decided to do something about the fascist poison in their midst. Most of all, though, it’s a testimony to the power the working class has when we are united and act together in enough numbers.

The fight against the fascists of today, the British National Party (BNP), has to be led by the working class ourselves, as it was against Mosley and the BUF in the 1930s. We can’t rely on fine words from MPs, councillors, trade union or religious leaders, sports or showbusiness types. Especially if these people support the anti-working class policies of one of the three main political parties, which have been mainly responsible for people voting for the BNP in the first place! Only the working class has the power to crush any fascist threat, just as only the working class can really change the world for the better.

Book review by DL, a supporter of the Campaign for a New Workers' Party

Exeter branch meeting 8/5/07

In a lively branch meeting, we discussed issues ranging from the Scottish elections to carbon emissions trading to the BNP.

Secretary JT (for reasons of security - BNP members operate a charming website called 'Redwatch' which publishes details of socialists with the aim of fascist thugs beating them up - we use initials in these branch meeting reports) opened the meeting with his analysis of the recent elections. He highlighted the fact that despite New Labour's annihilation in Scotland and retreat in Wales, they had not done so bad in England. In some parts of the country, such as the large northern cities and Coventry, the New Labour vote actually went up. JT pinned this on the fears of many traditional Labour voters of the return of a Tory government, which despite Cameron's soft soaping, is rightly dreaded by most working class people. It may also be due to Blair's imminent departure and illusions that still exist in Gordon Brown. The BNP had not done as well as hoped, and though they gained one seat overall, they lost four seats they previously held, demonstrating that once people see what they are really about they are quickly ditched.

In the discussion that followed this opening, those at the meeting generally agreed with the analysis about the fortunes of the Labour Party. JL also voiced his view that anti-fascist campaigning had to put forward an alternative (in the form of the Campaign for a New Workers' Party) or else be pointless in combating the conditions that the BNP thrive in - the lack of a political alternative to the parties of cuts and privatisation.

Linking the opening discussion with the main discussion on the environment, chair AC noted the progress of the Greens in this election and how they are seen by many as a left wing alternative. Many attending the meeting had examples of opportunism and right wing policies pursued by the Greens, for example voting through budgets cutting services in Lewisham and Kirklees in exchange for a few pitiful concessions such as slightly increased recycling, and proposing increasing already extortionate hospital car parking prices and raising the idea of congestion charging in North Devon.

In the organisational section of the meeting the issue of the press fund was raised - the party needs to replace its ageing printing press with some more modern equipment and, having no rich backers, we rely on the financial sacrifices of our members to get things done. Many Exeter Socialist Party members have pledged outstanding amounts to the fund.

JT raised the request by the Irish Socialist Party for England and Wales Socialist Party members to help with their election campaign. In the May 24th election we hope to have Joe Higgins TD (member of the Irish parliament the Dail) re-elected and Cllr. Clare Daly elected.

Also, with the CNWP conference on Saturday, it was confirmed that there will be 5 CNWP supporters attending what should be a historic and inspiring event.

TA led the main discussion on the environment with a wide ranging introduction touching on the science behind climate change, the wilful inactivity of Governments due to obsession with short term rapid economic growth and close relations with the fossil fuel industry. TA left us all to draw our conclusions when he revealed that the Association of Petroleum Geologists was the only scientific body, presumably twinned with the organisation 'Turkeys Against Christmas'.

TA outlined the forces inherent within capitalism that not only cause this tremendous environmental destruction but also render it incapable of doing anything meaningful to solve the problem - in fact the private free-market in energy means decisions are based on profit not social and environmental need - the prices of different fuels dictating whether they would be used in power stations regardless of the carbon dioxide burning them releases.

There were many viable solutions in terms of energy conservation and using greener energy, and while individuals did have a responsibility to act in an environmentally friendly way, ultimately this would be a drop in the ocean while big business pollutes the planet.

In the discussion following TA's lead off, the fact that science is not divorced from society was raised. For instance, the original report of the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) written by scientists and much more robust in its conclusions and recommendations, was watered down dramatically by Governments to make it more vague and avoid pinning the blame on Governments and big business.

The idea of a democratically planned economy as a counterpoint to the capitalist free market anarchy we currently live in was also raised. In a democratically planned economy, long term decisions would be democratically made regarding energy generation, enabling mass construction of renewable energy facilities, coupled with a programme of energy efficiency. For example, Cuba, a planned economy (not democratically planned, so there are inefficiences and flaws) was able to pursue a programme of replacing all of its lightbulbs with energy efficient lightbulbs. Cuba is also recognised by the UN as the only environmentally sustainable country in the world. If a poor country which doesn't have the undoubted advantages of having its planning democratically controlled, think what democratic socialist planning could achieve in a rich country like Britain.

All the capitalist apologists can muster is a 'carbon emissions trading scheme' - whereby licences to pollute are bought and sold in a kind of stock exchange. In other words, the capitalists have even found a way to make money out of environmental damage! The scheme is ineffective at reducing carbon dioxide emissions though.

The issue of 'Green taxes' was also raised. As socialists we would oppose all taxes such as Green taxes, that disproportionately affect ordinary working class people - a tax on air travel would prevent a normal family from going abroad on holiday, but the rich Government minister would be able to travel without restriction! We favour democratic socialist planning as a solution to environmental problems, not reducing living conditions for ordinary people.

As luck would have it, there happens to be an excellent article on alternative energy sources in this week's copy of the socialist, the weekly newspaper of the Socialist Party, an indispensible read for workers and youth: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/2007/485/index.html?id=pp1183.htm

Apologies to any who attended yesterday's meeting whose contributions I have missed off, I do remember it being an excellent discussion with a lot of interesting, relevant and insightful points put forward by all those who spoke, but I can't remember everything and didn't take extensive notes, and this post has gone on quite long anyway. It would be great though if we could have a bit of debate in the comments section on some of the points raised at the meeting.

Exeter branch meeting Tuesday 8th May - Can we fight climate change?

Every fortnight, the Socialist Party holds a branch meeting in Exeter. All members and anyone interested in coming along are welcome. The meetings are informal but businesslike. We discuss events over the past few weeks and plan our activities, campaigns and interventions in the days, weeks and months ahead. We also hear reports on international news and industrial work.

One member will then introduce a discussion on a topic of interest - this week it will be Tim on climate change and environmental destruction. After this introduction we will debate and analyse the issues surrounding it. The purpose of this is to educate members and supporters about a wide range of important areas, improve confidence in speaking and debating in public and to deepen understanding of how we as socialists analyse the world. In the past discussions have ranged from the French Revolution to fascism, from nuclear power to the Labour Party, and so on.

We hope you can come along - Tuesday 8th 7.30pm Streatham Court E, University of Exeter. If you have any queries please leave a comment or email us at socialistpartydevon@gmail.com.

More photos from the Campaign for a New Workers' Party meeting held in Exeter on the 19th April

3rd May elections and recent activity

On Saturday 28th April, Devon Socialist Party members and CNWP supporters leafletted the Ilfracombe East ward with anti-BNP leaflets. The leaflets put forward class arguments and posed the question of a new alternative to the main parties for workers. The BNP candidate subsequently failed miserably, garnering just 63 votes. Also on the 28th, members did stalls in Exeter and Taunton and sold over 30 newspapers. On the Sunday, members travelled up to Bristol to assist with Tom Baldwin's election campaign in Windmill Hill. He got a good vote in the end, and was praised by the PCS union for his answers to the questions they asked of all council candidates.

We expressed our solidarity with the striking PCS members on 1st May.

There will be a full analysis of the local, Scottish and Welsh elections on here shortly, including the votes for Socialist Alternative candidates, the state of the BNP vote and lessons for anti-fascist work and the situation in Scotland.

Fight the fascist BNP in North Devon

The BNP have raised their ugly heads in North Devon - they are standing a candidate called Dave Moore in the Ilfracombe East ward for North Devon District Council. Now, this bloke doesn't stand much chance of winning, but he might do well enough for the BNP to establish a foothold in Ilfracombe, a town where the attractive tourist-friendly sea front masks a great deal of poverty and deprivation.

North Devon Socialist Party is conducting a mass leafleting of the ward on Saturday 28th April. We need as many people to come along as possible to help, regardless of whether you are a member of the party. This is partly because of the scale of the task, partly as a show of strength. Please email Socialist Party Devon if you can help: socialistpartydevon@gmail.com

Exeter CNWP meeting on 19th April

Over 30 people attended a meeting on the Campaign for a New Workers' Party at the Exeter Community Centre last Thursday. Speaking at the event was Tony Mulhearn of the Liverpool 47, John Stone, Plymouth branch secretary of the TGWU (personal capacity) and Jim Lowe from the Exeter Save our NHS campaign.

After speeches, which included a wide ranging analysis from Tony on the nature and degeneration of the Labour Party and a reflection on the successes of the socialist Liverpool council and betrayals of the Labour Party leadership, there was a vigorous debate on the nature of the Labour Party, is a new workers' party needed, how can we campaign for one and what form it might take.

The meeting allowed us to launch the CNWP in Exeter and Devon, and gives us something on which to build.