Kent and Sussex Branch

[Anonymous]

robert.cox wrote:

Thanks Vin, regarding the video offer.I have a meeting with the prospective candidates on 6th March (by which time we should have EC approval to contest) so I will discuss the idea with them.As I recall one of the candidates has his own recording studio, so the audio should be no problem (he is an experienced Party speaker as well).Will be in touch later.PS Would this be in a personal capacity,or via the AVC, now you are re-instated? 

I can do it as individual or AV. Its good that a party speaker will do the recording. It would be even better if it was a recording of an actual meeting but either way I will give it a try and see what the branch thinks

[ALB]

Re County Council elections, West London branch are investigating the possibility standing a candidate in Guildford for the Surrey Council Council. Certain legal matters need to be sorted out before a final decision.

[Anonymous]

Minutes of the 63rd meeting of the Kent & Sussex Regional branch of The Socialist Party of Great Britain held on 12th February 2017 The meeting started at 2.17pm and was held at the Muggleton Inn, 8 High Street, Maidstone, KentPresent: Mandy Bruce, Dave Chesham (Secretary), Rob Cox (Treasurer), Dan FabianApologies for absence: Marie Chesham, Hannah Dutton, Karl Luetchford, Jacqueline Shodeke, Sam Wicks1. Election of ChairMotion 1. Fabian & Bruce “That Chesham be Chair” AGREED2. Minutes of the 62nd meeting held on 8th January 2017 were before the meeting Motion 2. Cox & Fabian “That the minutes be adopted”AGREED3. Matters arising from previous minutesi) Membership mattersRob reported that 60% of the branch membership had responded to the questionnaire. One of the main issues is the sheer size of the geographical area the branch covers. Since the branch’s inception five years ago only one member living in Sussex has been able to attend branch meetings in Maidstone. The emphasis then surely is to attempt to form a branch in the Brighton area where seven of the branch’s members reside, although one of those is currently living abroad.As far as Kent is concerned one of the suggestions put forward was that the branch could meet alternately in Maidstone and Folkestone. However, the experience of the short-lived Folkestone Discussion Group does not provide encouragement that branch meetings would be any better supported. In fact, the contrary could prove to be the case as at least two of the current regular attendees at Maidstone would not be prepared or able to make the journey to Folkestone.It was felt there was no short term solution but nevertheless it was AGREED to return to the matter at our next branch meeting.ii) Further call for nominations for 2017 Party OfficersNONEiii) Further call for nominations for 2017 sub-committees It was AGREED 4-0 (four members present) to nominate the following members for these respective sub-committees.Blog – Alan Johnstone, Matt CulbertCampaigns – Fraser AndersonElection – Keith ScholeyInternet – Brian Johnson, Alan Johnstone, Tristan Miller, Darren Poynton, Robert StaffordLibrary – Roy BeatMembership Applications Committee – Paul Bennett, Richard Botterill, Howard MossPremises – John Helpsiv) T-Shirts It was AGREED to return to the subject again at our next meeting.4. Conference 2017i) Preliminary agendaAn amendment to Motion 6 was proposed by Rob & Dan but consideration deferred to the March meeting.ii) Items for DiscussionThe following Item for Discussion was AGREED 4-0 (four members present)“Should the Party ditch all the Yahoo! forums and transfer the files and all internal communications (i.e Spintcom/Spopen) to the website forum?”5. Branch Form ‘C’Rob presented several documents relating to the branch’s finances and activities spanning 2016. The accounts had been audited by Dave & Mandy.Motion 3. Fabian & Chesham “That the branch’s Form ‘C’ be adopted”AGREED 4-0 (four members present)6. May 2017 County Council ElectionsIt was proposed that in May the branch contest the two Electoral Divisions in Kent – Folkestone North East and Folkestone South and that our candidates be Andy Thomas and Max Hess respectively. Rob Cox will be the agent for each division.It is likely that the branch will use the method of paid distribution of leaflets which is estimated will cost in the region of £40 per 1000 leaflets. £500 should cover the total cost of distribution although the cost of printing the leaflets would be additional. It was AGREED to ask the Executive Committee for a grant of £1000.There is a slight possibility that Brighton comrades might be able to contest one or two Electoral Divisions in Sussex, namely Lewes and/or Chailey.It was AGREED that Sam be asked if he would be willing to accept nomination as a candidate in Maidstone.7. Street StallsA new season of street stalls was arranged with the first taking place in Canterbury on Saturday, 25 March, followed by one in Folkestone on Saturday, 22 April. Both will commence at 12 noon.8. Brighton GroupThree comrades, Anton, Howard & Jessica, attended an NHS Rally in Brighton on Saturday, 21 January. They were there for about an hour and gave out loads of leaflets and some Standards. Quite a few people seemed genuinely interested in the Party.They’re planning to make more contact with the Sussex Marxist society too; Jessica is going to another meeting and will see about doing a joint evening of talks or something similar.It is hoped some of the comrades will be attending a joint Left Unity and United and Different event in Brighton (Clock Tower) on Monday, 20 February from 2pm onwards.The branch’s second lightweight folding literature table and corresponding banner will soon be taking up residence with one of the Brighton comrades. 9. Forms 'A' & 'F'NONE10. Branch membership transfersNONE 11. EC minutes – January meeting – 7-1-17NOTED12. Future propaganda activities NONE other than those already mentioned13. Any other businessNONEMeeting adjourned at 5.30pmCollection taken: £12.00Literature sales: £3.00

[Anonymous]

ALB wrote:

Re County Council elections, West London branch are investigating the possibility standing a candidate in Guildford for the Surrey Council Council. Certain legal matters need to be sorted out before a final decision.

Still early days but in addition to the two candidates in Folkestone (subject to EC approval) we are investigating the fielding of a candidate in one of the Maidstone divisions and one or two in Sussex.

[ALB]

After the Socialist Party of London, the Socialist Party of the Home Counties.

[Anonymous]

ALB wrote:

After the Socialist Party of London, the Socialist Party of the Home Counties.

Indeed, but there's nothing to stop other branches doing much the same – it doesn't take that much effort…  But then one has to remember there are those members who regard the contesting of elections as a waste of time or see it as further evidence of the 'bureaucratic malaise' they claim is consuming the party.

[jondwhite]

Clause 6 states

Quote:

… the working class must organize consciously and politically for the conquest of the powers of government, national and local…

and Clause 8

Quote:

… The Socialist Party of Great Britain, therefore, enters the field of political action …

[Anonymous]

So opposition to standing at elections is opposition to the party's Declaration of Principles?

[Bijou Drains]

Vin wrote:

So opposition to standing at elections is opposition to the party's Declaration of Principles?

Yes opposition to the party (ever) standing at elections is opposed to the D of P. However I would argue that those who currently think standing at elections (and I hasten to add I am NOT amongst that group), but that there will be a time for the party to do so, are not opposed to the D of P.

[alanjjohnstone]

Quote:

So opposition to standing at elections is opposition to the party's Declaration of Principles?

Let's not go on a heresy hunt here, searching out members who presently oppose using resources in elections because they may not think the time is appropriate for standing in elections. Some branchs have the members and the will to commit to them. Other branches consider that they are not able to contest them.Personally, whether we have candidates or not doesn't really bother me. It is more important that we use the occasions to increase our activity and publicity. We have to raise our profile and election-times are a suitable moment  when more folk are focussed on politics and ready to engage in debate and discussion. For branches with a membership volunteering to take part in an election, all well and good , and i heartily endorse and support that. I hope the EC can devote money and logisitcs so that we do gain a receptive audience.I would also hope a branch SPGB newsletter could be published and distributed aongside an array of leaflets on a variety of topics rather than a one-size fits all election leaflet where the name of the candidate and ward is the only thing different. However, we do need a campaign strategy for those branches who feel they cannot put forward candidates so  there has to be  an alternative for them.Couldn't we devise a plan of things to do for branches. Have adverts designed for the local press and paid for by the EC. Templates for letters to the editor made so that all is required is the newspaper's email and a name of a local member. I would suggest fly-posting but being a realist i cannot imagine some of our members escaping the clutches of the law on their zimmer-frames. But we could produce more convenient to use stickers which are easy and sometimes effective. I recall reading of a member who could use his mobility scooter to apply to stickers on lamp-osts and bus-stops. 

[Anonymous]

alanjjohnstone wrote:

Quote:

So opposition to standing at elections is opposition to the party's Declaration of Principles?

Let's not go on a heresy hunt here, searching out members who presently oppose using resources in elections because they may not think the time is appropriate for standing in elections. 

EH??How can you interpret my comment in such a way? I suggest no such thing.

[jondwhite]

Vin wrote:

alanjjohnstone wrote:

Quote:

So opposition to standing at elections is opposition to the party's Declaration of Principles?

Let's not go on a heresy hunt here, searching out members who presently oppose using resources in elections because they may not think the time is appropriate for standing in elections. 

EH??How can you interpret my comment in such a way? I suggest no such thing.

While I think anti-electoralism might contravene the D of P, choosing not to contest particular elections or constituencies for pragmatic reasons (members time / money) is not and I think this is all that Alan is saying. Although I don't think poor results in terms of votes for us is reason alone enough not to contest.

[Anonymous]

alanjjohnstone wrote:

Couldn't we devise a plan of things to do for branches. Have adverts designed for the local press and paid for by the EC. Templates for letters to the editor made so that all is required is the newspaper's email and a name of a local member.

Definitely a good idea. I would certainly wish to be active in someway at election times without necessarily standing myself. Adverts, letters and even leaflet distribution financed by the EC. There are some active members in the NE who could coordinate and carry out such a campagne.How would we set about it? Without branch resolutions? etc. 

[alanjjohnstone]

Vin, it wasn't meant as an accusatory post but a cautionary warning because of the implication that could be read into the statement by some, especially when read alongside Gnome's message #201.But anyways perhaps we require a new thread to discuss these matters because we are cluttering up K&S branch minutes. 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for that Gnome but I am not sure we have a member willing to commit to stand. I think the member that has stood in the past – although he would probably be willing –  has poor health problems.What I am proposing is some activity during election time, leaflet drop, letters, adverts and one member has suggested a debate with Momentum could be in the pipelineA presence during election times. By the way Alan, no worries 

[Author]

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