Minutes of the 24th Meeting

[Anonymous]

Minutes of the 24th Meeting of the Kent & Sussex Regional branch of The Socialist Party of Great Britain held on 13th October 2013The meeting started at 2.00pm and was held at the Muggleton Inn, High Street, Maidstone, KentPresent: Dave Chesham (Secretary), Marie Chesham, Rob Cox (Treasurer), Jacqueline ShodekeVisitor: Hannah Dutton (until 6.00pm)Apologies for absence: Les Courtney, Ed Mann, Glenn Morris1. Election of ChairMotion 1. D.Chesham & Shodeke “That D.Chesham be Chair”AGREED2. Minutes of the 23rd Meeting dated 8th September 2013 were before the meetingMotion 2. Shodeke & M.Chesham “That the minutes be adopted”AGREED 4-0-0 (four members present)3. Matters arising from the previous minutesi) Contact with Wealden Progressive MovementAs Ed was not present it was AGREED to defer the item.ii) Literature stall in Canterbury – September 21stAnother good three hours spent were during which several conversations were held with workers. A number of the branch's own leaflets, "The Abolition of the Wages System" and "No Governments, No Leaders, No Led" were handed out and one September Socialist Standard, one "Socialism Or Your Money Back" one "Socialist Principles Explained" and two of the branch's revamped "The Strike Weapon" pamphlets were sold.iii) Kent contactsThe Secretary had sent a message to the Left Unity group in Chatham but so far no response had been received.Rob had found two local Left Unity groups (in Lewes and Folkestone) on the LU website. It was AGREED that the Secretary attempt to make contact with them.iv) Paypal accountThe Secretary reported that as sellers (of literature) the branch would be subject to a minimum charge of 1.4% on each total sale plus a transaction charge of 20p per item. Rob suggested a cheque or postage stamps as an alternative means of payment. It was AGREED to defer the item for further consideration.v) European elections 2014The branch AGREED in principle to provide at least one candidate to stand in the European elections next year (subject to EC approval) providing that other party candidates are forthcoming in the South East region.4. EC minutes — 9th meeting – 7/9/13The question of the letter sent to 'Socialist Platform' by the Executive Committee was raised.Motion 3. (to the EC) Cox & D.Chesham “This branch calls upon the EC to make clear it does not intend the meeting (motion 30, September EC) to be an invitation to discuss 'merger' proposals, but to discuss whether there is a need for a new 'socialist' party to be formed.Further that the EC challenges the 'Socialist Platform' to explain:a) How the proposed Left Unity Party could claim to be a genuine socialist party were it to reject the 'Socialist Platforms' items A,B,C, F and G as originally proposed (EC agenda, September 2013 and as appears in the addendum below).b) How the platform itself can maintain its self-proclaimed socialist credentials, while committing to a campaign of reforms (and the continuance of a State after the revolution?)Following the holding or rejection of the invitation for a meeting between the SPGB and the 'Socialist Platform' as proposed, a further EC statement be issued for circulation to the platform signatories, the press and local LU groups in order to challenge them to debate, nationally and locally, the folly of any individual regarding themselves as a socialist joining a Party which makes reformist demands or does not reject participation in the administration of capitalism.AddendumA. The

Party is a socialist party. Its aim is to bring about the end of capitalism and its replacement by socialism.B. Under capitalism, production is carried out solely to make a profit for the few, regardless of the needs of society or damage to the environment. Capitalism does not and cannot be made to work in the interests of the majority. Its state and institutions will have to be replaced by ones that act in the interests of the majority.C. Socialism means complete political, social and economic democracy. It requires a fundamental breach with capitalism. It means a society in which the wealth and the means of production are no longer in private hands but are owned in common. Everyone will have the right to participate in deciding how the wealth of society is used and how production is planned to meet the needs of all and to protect the natural world on which we depend. We reject the idea that the undemocratic regimes that existed in the former Soviet Union and other countries were socialist.F. The

Party aims to win support from the working class and all those who want to bring about the socialist transformation of society, which can only be accomplished by the working class itself acting democratically as the majority in society.G. The

Party aims to win political power to end capitalism, not to manage it. It will not participate in governmental coalitions with capitalist parties at national or local level.”AGREED 4-0-0 (four members present)Motion 4. (to the EC) Shodeke & D.Chesham “This Branch would like to know what the EC understands by the phrase “extra-parliamentary means” contained in its letter sent to 'Socialist Platform'?”AGREED 4-0-0 (four members present)5. Consideration of ADM AgendaThe various items for discussion on the agenda were considered. Our delegates, when appointed, would be instructed accordingly.6. Nomination of delegates to ADMAll four members present AGREED to serve as delegates. It was further AGREED that Ed be appointed delegate in his absence subject to his agreement.7. Party Poll MeetingIt was AGREED that the branch oppose party funds being placed into investment funds and that the delegates emphasise instead the need for the party to discuss how to wisely spend its money rather than devise means of getting the best return on it.8. Nomination of 2014 Party Officers and Executive Committee membersIt was AGREED that the following 10 members be nominated (subject to their approval) for the 2014 Executive Committee:Rob Cox, Eddie Craggs, Carla Dee, Steve Clayton, Claudia Hogg-Blake, Mike Kelly, Mark Lansbury, Ed Mann, Jacqueline Shodeke, Frank SimkinsIt was further AGREED that Oliver Bond be nominated for General Secretary, Tristan Miller for Assistant Secretary and Rob Cox and Howard Moss for Auditors.9. Quarterly Finance ReportThe Treasurer then gave a quarterly report which showed an annual surplus to 12/10/13 of £15.41with an accumulated fund of £261.41. Rob would present a draft budget in time for the December meeting.It was AGREED that a collection be taken at each branch meeting in future.10. Future propaganda activitiesNONE11. Any Other BusinessNotice of Business (Rob Cox) 'The Media Committee terms of reference'Meeting adjourned 6.35pm