03.05.2006

Communist University North

Carey Davies reports from Communist University North, which took place on April 29-30 in Sheffield

Last weekend's Communist University North was a useful and clarifying event. Five sessions were held over the two days on a range of topics. The high point in terms of attendance was the Saturday evening session, which saw 20-25 people - including speakers from the Socialist Party and Workers Power, in addition to Emily Bransom of the CPGB - tackle the crucial question thrown up by the Socialist Party's Campaign for a New Workers' Party initiative: exactly what kind of workers' party do we need?

Elsewhere, Matthew Caygill spoke on 'Marxism and history', Alan Stevens of the CPGB outlined the approach the left must take to trade union struggles, Mark Fischer drew upon the lessons we can learn from Lenin and the Bolsheviks, and Jack Conrad elucidated his thesis on 'Ireland and the British-Irish'. This latter session attracted the most vigorous debate of the weekend - it seems the question of Ireland and the approach communists should take to it is a constant source of controversy.