In this video from the Labour4Clause4 fringe meeting at Labour conference 2019 in Brighton, a panel of leading figures from the labour movement discuss the relevance of Clause 4 and the need for bold socialist policies.
An enthusiastic audience met in Brighton on 23rd September at the Labour4Clause4 fringe meeting to hear an inspiring panel of labour movement speakers discuss the importance of Clause 4 and common ownership.
Included on the platform were (in order of speaking):
John McDonnell MP – shadow chancellor
Dave Ward – CWU general secretary
Mark Serwotka – PCS general secretary
Ian Hodson – BFAWU president
Fiona Lali – Students4Corbyn and #UnseatBoris
Rob Sewell – Labour4Clause4 campaign national coordinator
Each speaker provided a detailed insight into how the ideas of the original Clause 4 – which pledged “to secure for workers…the full fruits of their industry…on the basis of the common ownership of the means of production – have played out in their own field.
John McDonnell talked about the significance of Clause 4 and how it was abolished by the Blairites in 1995. Dave Ward discussed how Royal Mail was sold off, and the need to fight for it to be brought back into public ownership. And Mark Serwotka spoke about the pernicious role of outsourcing in the public sector, which has led to an all-out attack on workers’ conditions.
Fiona Lali also discussed the need to mobilise young people around clear socialist demands. And Rob Sewell finished up by explaining why we need to continue the campaign by committing the Labour Party to fight for common ownership and the socialist transformation of society.
Get in touch with the Labour4Clause4 campaign at contact@labour4clause4.com to support the campaign and help organise a roadshow meeting in your local Labour Party, trade union branch, or Momentum group.
This video was recorded on 23 September 2019. The event was sponsored by the Ron Todd Foundation.
