Despite yet another dismal winter saturday drizzle, around 150 people joined the protest outside the Leeds General Infirmary, as part of the 3rd February national day of action over the winter NHS crisis. Iain Dalton, Leeds Socialist Party In the absence of major unions, or Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, calling for a mass turnout for…
Around 150 delegates crowded into the first and very successful Health Campaigns Together northern conference held in Leeds on 20 January. Almost 30 active campaign groups were represented from Leicester to Liverpool and Newcastle. Mike Forster, Health Campaigns Together vice chair (personal capacity) Instead of numerous platform speakers, we invited each region to share their…
After over 2000 signatures on a petition, 4000 leaflets delivered, 69% opposition to the consultation Labour run Leeds City Council appear to have finally retreated in the face of mass community opposition to the the plans to build on Fearnville playing fields.. Tanis Belsham-Wray, Save Fearnville Fields campaign & Leeds Socialist Party branch secretary Over…
Despite temperatures of -2˚c, RMT members were out in force at Leeds train station on the 14th day of strike action on Northern Rail, which was taking place as part of co-ordinated action across 6 train operating companies against the introduction of Driver Only/Controlled Operation (DOO/DCO). Iain Dalton, Leeds Socialist Party Despite the chilly January…
Hundreds crammed into the meeting hall at the Barnbow pub in Crossgates, East Leeds to hear Labour Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell speak at a meeting organised by left-wing Leeds East MP, Richard Burgon. Iain Dalton, Socialist Party member in Leeds East constituency Burgon opened the meeting with a short contribution, commenting that there was nowhere…
‘So what does the student’s union do again?’ – A question being asked far too often by students. Despite the good intentions of most officers and staff, students unions nationally are falling short for students. Amy Cousens, Leeds Beckett Socialist Students President & Leeds Beckett SU Women’s Officer For many students, unions have become bars…
Dean Meehan (1962-2015) Socialist Party members were shocked to learn of the death of Dean Meehan at the age of 53. Due to ill-health Dean was never as active as he would have liked, undoubtedly a source of frustration to him as he seemed to comment every time we spoke. He was passionate about…
On Wednesday 13th January, a deputation from the Leeds Private Trades branch of Usdaw lobbied Leeds City Council, calling on them to oppose the government’s de-regulation of Sunday trading. Iain Dalton, Usdaw Leeds Private Trades branch vice-chair (personal capacity) The government proposes to hand powers limiting the length of sunday trading (currently 6 hours for…
Well over a hundred of Junior Doctors picketed the two main hospitals in Leeds, St James’s and the Leeds General Infirmary. Pickets were angry, especially over the insinuation that they’re lazy which the media had been stirring over the past few days. One doctor told me how he was often staying late and starting early…
The flooding this Christmas has been some of the worst in recent memory. Significant parts of the North of England have suffered severe flooding, including Manchester, Cumbria, Leeds, Calderdale and York. Bridges have been washed away with some communities totally cut off. Iain Dalton, Leeds Socialist Party Fingers are rightly being pointed to the cuts…
