Welcome to issue seven of the Transform newsletter. Thank you to everyone who has sent us photos and stories – please keep them coming.

Campaign focus: Bibby Stockholm

The new government has announced that it won’t renew the contract for the Bibby Stockholm barge. While this will be welcome news to the 400 asylum seekers incarcerated there off the Dorset coast, the government is resisting attempts to close down the asylum centre at the former airfield at RAF Wethersfield in Essex.

Labour in opposition had been critical of these facilities; however, their starting point was that the country was paying the price of the failure of the Tory government to process asylum claims more quickly – not that the centres themselves were cruel and inhumane. Just a month earlier, when questioned on a local radio station, Starmer had refused to say whether he intended to shut down the Bibby if elected.

The credit for shutting down the Bibby belongs not to Labour, but to campaigners who’ve fought for this every step of the way: the FBU union, asylum seeker support networks, NGOs, those who exposed the reality of living conditions on the Bibby, and those who obstructed coaches carrying asylum seekers there. And, of course, the refugees themselves, who days earlier had organised a two-day hunger strike.

Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival

From our correspondent Mandy Parry:

“A team of six Transform members went to the Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival in Dorset. The festival marks the unjust persecution of a small group of labourers who came together in 1834 to form one of the very first agricultural unions. For many years the village of Tolpuddle has served as a meeting place for those who believe in the power of unions to effect real change and to remember the struggles of those who came before us.

Transform held a stall in the Martyr’s marquee, giving out leaflets and stickers, taking names, and talking about the need to unify the left. The left-wing candidate for South Dorset in the general election, Giovanna Lewis, had recently been endorsed by Transform and appeared on our Left List, and it was good to welcome her in person as a member of the Party.

On the Sunday we attended the ritual wreath laying at the nearby churchyard, and marched in the parade, our Transform banner held aloft alongside many others from across the land in solidarity with the trade union movement.”

London Trans+ Pride: Pride is political

From our correspondent Doug Thorpe:

“Three of us from Transform joined up with the Trade Union bloc at London Trans+ Pride. This was the largest trans pride march in history. It was a vibrant, colourful and very political march. As well as chants and placards in support of trans rights, there were others in support of Palestine and critical of Starmer and the Labour party for making permanent the ban on puberty blockers for trans youth and for supporting the Cass report.

“We gave out over 300 Transform Pride leaflets and could have given out many times that amount.”

Update on Collective

On 22 July, representatives from Transform attended a meeting of Collective at which delegates discussed the way forward for the left. Talks are still at an early stage, but the tone of the meeting was positive.

Transform will continue to work constructively with all those who share our politics and aim to build a serious mass alternative to Labour. To all who are reading this and nodding your heads we would say this: it will only happen if enough people work for it. We invite you all to join Transform and help us to lay the groundwork today for a mass party of the left.

Future events and demonstrations

If you’re planning to attend any of these events and you’d like help hold a banner, give out leaflets, or talk to people about Transform, please contact Mandy Parry on mandyparrytraining@gmail.com or WhatsApp 07811101740.

• National March for Palestine, Saturday 3 August
• Peterloo 1819-2024 – March for Democracy, Saturday 17 August
• Potteries Chartist Festival, Sunday 18 August
• Manchester Pride Festival, Friday 23 – Monday 26 August

We also want to hear from any members interested in organising a Transform presence at any events not on this list.

Calling all students

Congratulations to our newly elected Youth Officer, Zohaib Javid.

Zohaib is keen to organise stalls at a few Freshers Fairs this autumn. If you’re able to help us to spread the word about Transform at your university, please contact Mandy Parry on mandyparrytraining@gmail.com or WhatsApp 07811101740.

Transforming our unions

Our Trade Union Officer Nick Long is calling for volunteers to be part of a Trades Union Working Group.

The Group will discuss what our priorities should be for TU work, and get things organised. This may include networking with other active trade unionists, campaigning for socialist policies within the unions, or supporting TU strikes and campaigns.

If you’re interested in joining the Group, please mail Nick on nicklong159@gmail.com or WhatsApp 07515113390.

Transform Talksback

Every voice matters: it’s time we heard yours! These informal Friday night gatherings will be a chance to talk and share experiences and views in a safe space. So, what are you waiting for?

Our Transform Talksback sessions are on Zoom and are hosted by someone whose sole role will be to create the opportunity for as many people to speak as possible within the time we have.

Next Talksback: Friday 30 August 2024 at 6.30pm

Register in advance if you’re planning to attend.

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

Transform Shop

There was lots of interest last week in Transform’s new promotional materials – leaflets, t-shirts, business cards. They’ll be on their way this week.

Here is what we are offering:

Leaflets: 1. Gaza 2. Pride 3. Join Transform

To order leaflets please contact Doug at dougthorpe@btinternet.com

T-shirts: Medium, Large, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL (one per member)

Pens (one per member), stickers & business cards

To order merchandise please contact Mandy at mandyparrytraining@gmail-com

We want to hear from you

Do you have any questions about Transform? Do you have any suggestions for inclusion in this newsletter? We’d love to hear from you: please send them in to info@transformpolitics.uk.

In solidarity,

Transform Newsletter Team