Transform newsletter 23rd October 2024

 30th November 2024

Welcome to issue 13 of the Transform newsletter. In this special edition, we report back from Transform conference, we take a look back at a difficult first year for Transform, and we set out some of our plans and hopes for the future.

“Doing nothing is not an option”

The Mahatma Gandhi Hall in London’s Indian YMCA was the scene for Transform’s second annual conference. To minimise risk of airborne infection, HEPA air filters had been hired for the occasion. Transform members were joined by allies and supporters, including Khalid Sadur, a parliamentary candidate in Edmonton earlier this year who is currently standing in the upcoming Jubilee Ward by-election; Fiona Lali who stood in Stratford and Bow; and Andrew Burgin, a national officer of Left Unity.

Alan Gibbons laid out the political context. He’d predicted that Starmer’s government would find itself in crisis within 18 months. No one was expecting that the government would become engulfed in crisis within two weeks of winning office. This has created a political void, and we should take the threat from the far right very seriously.

In the Future of the Left session, the platform speakers were in agreement that a new mass party of the Left was an urgent necessity. Solma Ahmed was emphatic: Doing nothing is not an option. We can’t afford to be timid, to “wait and see”. Audrey White argued that “whatever new party or movement we’re building in this country should be the genuine party of Free Speech in the UK”. Pamela Fitzpatrick confirmed that the talks within Collective were aimed at setting up a new party early next year (which wouldn’t necessarily be called Collective). Anwarul Khan pointed out that the programmatic differences between many left groups weren’t that great: the main barriers to unity are barriers of attitude. Transform members still have many questions about Collective, but forums like this are very valuable.

The journalist Matt Kennard opened the afternoon’s proceedings with a blistering attack on British politicians. They’re not just complicit, in the Gaza genocide, he argued, they’re participants – and he has the receipts to show it. “The key role they play is an intelligence and logistics role, and none of it is covered by our media.”

We then broke up into workshops for discussion on issues ranging from the Renters Rights Bill to Women in Politics. The conversations were free-ranging and full of insights, with most people chipping in.

Policy sessions rounded the day off. It was a varied and interesting programme, and the feedback that we’ve had has been positive. It was a day for connecting with people face to face after months of Zoom calls; also a day to remind us that we’re part of a wider movement, and that we all have to find ways of working together, because we are living in dangerous times.

Transform: the first 12 months

“Political parties, organisations and individuals from across the movement have united to take the next step: founding a new party of the left to provide a real alternative to our broken political system. The question is, are you with us ?”

This was the call that went out on social media in July 2023. Over 8,000 people quickly signed up to support the call.

What did those 8,000 people hope to see ? I know what I hoped for. I wanted to be part of a project that could quickly draw in some of the most charismatic figures in our movement, inspiring thousands to join and become activists; becoming not just a party but also a vibrant political movement, able to reach sections of the population that small left grouplets never connected with, and in this way begin to redraw the political landscape.

Measured against these aspirations, you could say that Transform has failed. We’ve not grown in size and influence in the way that we all hoped. Truth be told, our membership numbers are actually lower than they were six months ago.

That’s only part of the story though. We’ve reached out to others on the left, made some great contacts, supported many independent candidates in the General Election, seen the independent movement rise and secure some spectacular results in the election. A large progressive section of this independent movement is involved in the new body Collective, along with Transform. Discussions are taking place in this forum with a view to setting up a new party.

Creating a mass party of the Left is the goal. That’s why Transform was set up. Our aim is to bring large sections of the Left together. The rapid collapse in support for the Labour government makes this work all the more urgent. If anyone tells you that Transform is finished, don’t believe them. We’re busy learning the lessons of the last 12 months so that we can move on, fight another day, and play our part in giving birth to a credible left wing alternative to Labour.

This is the opening section of a longer article. Read Linda Wall’s full article here.

What we stand for

Policy Officer Hugo Garvey briefed conference on what’s been happening over policy, and on his plans for future policy development, then led us through a series of proposed policies, taking speeches for and against, and totting up members’ votes in the hall and online.

Energy: we will nationalise the major energy producers and retailers, and subject them to democratic oversight and control.

Transport: we will renationalise and invest in bus and rail services, making them free at the point of use.

Cost of living: we will introduce price controls on essential consumer goods. We’ll raise pensions, and expand winter fuel payments to safeguard everyone who struggles to pay their energy bills.

Welfare: we will reverse welfare cuts, scrap the two-child benefit cap, introduce a Universal Basic Income, and change disability assessments to prioritise the needs and wellbeing of people with disabilities.

Stop Tommy Robinson

Indications are that the counter-demonstration this coming Saturday, 26th October, will be very large. And for good reason: we saw in the recent riots what can happen when the far right are emboldened. More generally, there is a link between far right activism and levels of race hate and discrimination in society. This week, Transform was saddened to learn of the not guilty verdict in the Chris Kaba murder trial:

To meet up with others who are planning to go to this demo,  join the WhatsApp group.

If you are interested in organising our presence for this and any other events, please contact Mandy Parry on mandyparrytraining@gmail.com or WhatsApp 07811101740

Transform Talksback

Talksback returns on Friday 1st November at 6.30pm.

This is your chance to chat to other Transform members and share thoughts and experiences. It’s an informal space, and swearing is allowed (as long as it’s not at each other!), so bring along your own drink or eats.

Zoom registration link

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Transform shop

If you weren’t able to get to London on Saturday to collect your Transform t-shirts, enamel badges, notebooks, business cards and luggage labels, and would like some, then please contact Mandy by email at mandyparrytraining@gmail.com before stocks disappear.

Merchandise and postage is free to members, but If you can, please make a donation through our website – find the black ‘Donate’ button at the bottom of the page and give what you like!

We want to hear from you

Please send any questions, comments or editorial suggestions to us at info@transformpolitics.uk, marking your email for the attention of the Newsletter Team.

In solidarity,

Transform Newsletter Team