“We heard from speakers from the Belgium Workers Party, La France Insoumise and from multiple factions across the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA).”
By Ollie Probert-Hill
The World Transformed (TWT) is a volunteer-run festival of socialist ideas that was set up in 2016 that was originally meant to be a space to run fringe events for the Left of Labour during the Corbyn years. In the past couple years, TWT, like much of the British Left, has moved away from the Labour Party. This year it was a gathering of ‘Your Party’ supporters, those on the Green Left, those undecided and comrades from the wider movement. TWT had a lower turnout than previous years, but this was to be expected, thanks to it moving away from the Labour Party and acting as a standalone event. Despite the lower turnout, TWT had a better atmosphere and more engaged crowd than any I’ve seen in a long time. Many of the attendees at TWT felt excited for the prospect of a New Left Party. For the first time in a while, many felt hope for a potential party that was member-led, unapologetically socialist and involved in local communities across the country. Despite this, there was a clear disappointment by many about the very public disputes from those at the top of the party.
A key aspect of The World Transformed this year was the presence of Left-wing parties from across the world. We heard from speakers from the Belgium Workers Party, La France Insoumise and from multiple factions across the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). It was widely accepted that these parties must act as a blueprint for us on the British Left to build a Socialist, Left-wing alternative for the working class of this country. As Zarah Sultana has repeatedly said, there are three parties for their class, it’s time for us to have one for ours. The most impressive of these speakers was Peter Mertens, the General Secretary of the Belgium Workers Party. In his many speeches, he emphasised the need for us to speak about class. In many of the events, Peter was asked about Medicine for the People, a programme in which the party runs free healthcare centres. This is part of their programme of addressing need through local action while campaigning for change to the Capitalist system and against austerity.
Another great aspect of TWT was the large presence of Tenants Union activists. We heard from Tenants Union organisers from Ireland, Catalonia, Canada, Los Angeles and right here in the UK. A highlight of the Tenants Union panel was hearing from a member of CATU, a union that represents tenants across the Island of Ireland, talking about the complexities of organising across two legal jurisdictions. Alongside sitting on panels at TWT, Tenants Union organisers also staged an action against a landlord who operates across borders. A key lesson from the Tenant Union sessions was the need for us to work with Tenants Union across the world. Many landlords are not just sticking in one country; they’re exploiting people across the world. If the landlords are working across borders, then so should we.
I was proud to attend The World Transformed as a delegate from my Trade Union Branch. It was a great experience which has inspired me to go back to my community to organise.
- Ollie Probert-Hill is the Trade Union Liaison Officer for Manchester Student Left. You can follow MSL on Twitter/X and Instagram.
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