Unite and reconnect call

Yesterday (September 25) saw the Real Britain fringe – a joint event hosted by Unite and the Daily Mirror – and by many regarded as the fringe event of the conference.

The fringe, entitled Reconnecting Britain: Bringing people and communities together was chaired by the Daily Mirror’s Kevin Maguire with speakers Dave Johns, the lead in Ken Loach’s new film, I Daniel Blake; Liz Carr disability rights activist and Silent Witness star; a 98-year old Unite Community member and life-long trade union activist, Betty Tebbs; Andy Burnham MP; Real Britain columnist Ros Wynne-Jones and Unite general secretary Len McCluskey.

Pictured with McCluskey is lifelong union activist Betty Tebbs, 98, who stole delegates’ hearts with her often moving and passionate speech. She joined her first union in 1932 at the age of 14 while working at a paper mill in Bury – and raised eyebrows when she queried her first pay packet – short by two shillings because she was a girl.

Tebbs had lost none of her fire as she welcomed the re-election of Jeremy Corbyn, before – to rapturous applause – calling for a general strike.

She went on to call for a broad coalition of progressive groups including the Labour Party, the People’s Assembly, environmental groups and others to pressure the government into calling a general election.

“Then when we call a general election, we can elect a government that can carry out Jeremy’s policies for peace and socialism.”

Rail and steel nationalisation

She called for the nationalisation of the railways and steel industry, the creation of an integrated transport network and for the NHS to be put “back on track”.

“This we have to do,” she said, “if we are to satisfy the hopes and aspirations of all those who voted for Jeremy.

“Peace and socialism are opposite sides of the same coin. We can’t have socialism without peace, and we can’t have peace without socialism.

She concluded, “We can’t wait any longer. The time for action is now. The bottom line is, it’s up to us.”

Following Tebbs, Len McCluskey said, “Betty makes me proud and very humble.” In a speech – punctuated by two standing ovations – he said that these were extraordinary times and the need for unity was paramount. And our task was to make sure that Jeremy Corbyn’s policies were given a fair chance.

He believed Labour was undoubtedly now a party of anti-austerity.

“For the first time it is clear Labour is a party of anti-austerity – and people know that.” Of the current Tory government and its relentless programme of austerity he said, “There is no sustainable growth within our economy. We need a vibrant manufacturing base, an industrial strategy and to invest in the welfare state, our heritage. By investing in people we can create real growth in the economy.”

He appealed to the parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) to unite – it was the only way to achieve these aims.