By Linda Wall?
We had a very successful convention in Sheffield on Saturday 6th June.
Our venue was rich in character and symbolism. SADACCA is both a cultural hub and an organising space serving the many needs of Sheffield’s African Caribbean communities and for the benefit of others who wish to use it. It was born from decades of struggle during which this marginalised community took over a derelict building and created their own space.
Around 130 people made it to Sheffield, with a few also participating virtually in the plenary sessions, after our amazing volunteers made it possible to set up an online link. The SADACCA staff were very helpful and made us feel at home. Anwarul Khan set the tone for the day. Connections supports groups trying to self-organise, but doesn’t dictate to them what direction they should take. The aim is to create spaces where people can listen, and learn from one another.
The event organising team had come up with a busy but balanced schedule which included opportunities for learning, networking, and political discussion. As well as brief contributions from platform speakers, there was ample time for open discussion in the main plenaries.
At the closing plenary a draft statement was debated which had been drawn up by the organising team. The statement, while critical of the YP leadership, sought to build bridges between the different tendencies represented in Sheffield: those wanting to hold on to their YP membership and fight within the Party for change, those like Andrew Feinstein (speaking by video call) who advocated taking a step back and focusing on local base building, those attracted to the idea of a Federation, and those adamant that nothing less than another new Party could meet the needs of the situation that we’re in.
Thus, the statement talked about continuing to build Connections as a pluralist network, strengthening local organisation, and organising an all-Britain conference of groups and organisations “interested in playing a role in developing working class political representation”.
The organising team had invited participants to submit amendments to the statement, but the amendment debates only served to create confusion. The main purpose of the statement was as a temperature check, and it was clear from the discussion and the vote that most attendees were very much on board with it.
Member Feedback
I want to say a MASSIVE thank you to everyone involved. It was such a positive, wonderful day.
The Convention was just a breath of fresh air: 7 or so hours of talking, listening and learning with like-minded individuals who we don’t always find in our everyday lives or spaces. – who wrote this?
In regard to the voting, I abstained on a lot of the amendments that were added at the last minute. They were wordy and hard to assimilate verbally, and the screen was getting whited out by the sun. So it was the only decision I could make when asked. I think these are things to learn from and how to structure things differently in future. – Who wrote this?
Anyway, I just want to reiterate how wonderful it was meeting you all. In my head you are all the rock stars of socialism, and I was in awe of being able to talk to the amazing people behind the screens we see every week. – Gayle Hajipanayi ?
We had a meeting with lots of differing views. No one took chunks out of each other. We did workshops that people enjoyed. We had lovely food and got make new connections. (That’s what the network is about!) – Anwarul Khan
It felt good, as Gayle says, to connect with one another in the flesh. And as Anwarul says, it felt like we were in a space where differing views could be safely expressed without coming to blows. As it happens, there was broad agreement on a lot of things. No one disputes that participation and engagement in proto branches has been declining. And most would agree that the actions of the YP leadership have had a damaging effect on our combativity as a party and as a movement. At the same time, we recognise that the crises facing our class are too serious for us to do anything other than to remain active and keep up the struggle. – Linda Wall ?
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