By Anwarul Khan
Part of our success is that there are lots of rumours about what Connections is. Different people have had different experiences of it, whether they have heard of it, or been a representative, or taken part in one of the many events we have held or projects we started.
Connections exists to provide a space for local progressive socialist groups whether they are a “proto branch” of Your Party or an independent community group, to speak, share and learn from each other. This is a dangerous idea: even on the left of politics, many are content to follow great leaders, while those with power never really let it go.
We shouldn’t need nor seek permission to organise with fellow activists.
Connections is about encouraging the growth of independent self-organisation and campaigning at the grass roots. Connections isn’t a sectarian platform, and we don’t seek office or power for ourselves. It’s a space for all progressive minded groups to collaborate and discuss how to build together, and how to hold those in power to account. That means not everyone agrees and we have robust discussions; critical, constructive but always comradely, is the mantra I use when things get heated.
I, for one, enjoy the freedom to be a socialist, anti-racist, anti-imperialist
pro-LGTBTA+ activist and build with others without being gagged as to what I can do or say. Connections is about empowering each other, so we are going to keep doing things differently and amplifying the voices of the silenced.
Every voice matters: that is what a democratic member-led movement looks like. I will leave you with a quote from Brother Malcolm: “We are not outnumbered, we are outorganised”. So comrades, let us get organised.
(Previously published in Connections Newsletter no. 1 on 4 April 2026)
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