Devon Socialist Party

Exeter Northcott Theatre, one of the few remaining producing theatres in the southwest of England, has gone into administration. Students and staff must organize to resist this closure. In 2007 - shortly after reopening following a £2.1 million redevelopment - the venue was hit with the news that it was to lose its annual £547,000 grant from the Arts Council of England. Students, staff and residents then organized protests to demand this funding be reinstated. In early 2008, ACE revised its decision and the grant was reinstated.

We have a very fast growing Facebook page all about the event, so please click here to join. The page will inform on campaigns and serve as a venue for discussion.

Suggested demands:

• Open the account books to student and trade union inspection
• No to job losses! Bail out the Theatre Trust.
• The Students Guild should organize a demonstration in defence of the Northcott
• As a last resort, the Students Guild should lead an occupation of the Northcott Theatre
• Resistance to the Northcott closure should be linked to a broader Stop the Cuts campaign, against cuts, closures and privatisation at Exeter University and Devon County/Exeter City Councils

Barnstaple resident and community activist Ahmed (Mahi) Fatimah has been detained in Colnbrook Immigration Removal Unit and Short Term Holding Centre near Heathrow for a month now, having been arrested by Immigration Cops in January.  There are hopes that he will make bail and that some kind of justice will prevail, and he will be allowed to stay in the country, despite rather than because of our irrationality, inhumane and racist immigration laws.

Local NUT activist Dave Clinch is currently organising efforts to support Mahi, and has asked people to send in letters of support to Fiona Hutton at the Sahara Project Exeter, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Below is a suggested letter:

To Whom It May Concern,

I/We am/are writing on behalf of Mr Ahmed Fatimah, also known as Mahi, to support him in his claim for indefinite leave to remain in Britain.

Ahmed has been living in North Devon for several years and is anxious to continue working and contributing to the local community.

Already, through his commitment Ahmed has formed friendships with many people in this community. He has been instrumental in forming the Sunrise Group in Barnstaple. This group was formed to help those who have emigrated to the UK and moved to North Devon. It is an organization that provides classes and group activities for members and also helps to make links with the local community. It is a vital meeting place for those who may feel isolated at present in this area.

Ahmed is a community activist and organiser. He is highly respected and liked by all, especially those in need of help. He puts others before his own needs at all times. He has even been awarded a 'Certificate of Citizenship' by the Devon and Cornwall Constabulary. He has also been working with the National Health Service and Devon County Council for the benefit of migrants regardless of nationality or creed.

I/we would hope that Ahmed’s case could be reviewed and resolved so that he can continue to make a contribution and in doing so help to broaden understanding within this increasingly diverse community.

Yours sincerely,

On Saturday, Socialist Party members from the length and breadth of the south west travelled to Bristol for the annual regional conference.  The day's discussions were fruitful, and have helped to prepare members for the many challenges ahead in 2010.

The day was split into three sessions.  The first, in the morning, was introduced by guest speaker Hannah Sell, deputy general secretary of the Socialist Party.  In a far-ranging introduction, Hannah outlined the perspectives, economic and political, for Britain in the coming months.  This provoked a variety of contributions from the floor, which served to add to the analysis provided and gave everyone a concrete picture of how the situation is developing in the public services and other workplaces.

One comrade, a UNISON activist from the Bath and Somerset branch, told of impending cuts of 15% in his health trust.  Others detailed the increased bullying and exploitation that the bosses are visiting on workers.  The prospects of a Tory government were noted, though as this is likely to be of a weak nature, in terms of majority (or lack of it) and mandate.

As well as seeking to respond to events such as attacks on public services, the Socialist Party seeks to anticipate them.  We have already set up the Youth Fight for Jobs campaign, which will prove a focal point for the struggles of unemployed workers and youth in the coming months and years.  Our work in the unions is also aimed at preparing the ground to defend jobs, pay, and public services.  Many at the conference outlined their role as trade union activists, and also the broader work in unions, aimed at strengthening organisation, democracy and militancy.

Support is growing for the newly-formed Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC), which will fight dozens of seats in the upcoming general election.  The coalition has the backing of RMT (transport union) general secretary Bob Crow, the Prison Officers Association general secretary Brian Caton, the Socialist Party, the Socialist Alliance, the Socialist Workers Party, the Democratic Labour Party, Socialist Resistance, as well as many other trade union activists.  Details of the policies of TUSC can be found on its new website.

TUSC has been launched because of the need to create a political alternative to the agenda of cuts, privatisation, war and corruption of the main parties.  TUSC stands explicitly on a pro-working class platform, rejecting the mainstream political consensus that we should suffer slashed public spending, frozen wages and job cuts to pay for the problems caused by the recklessness of the bankers and the inevitable crises of the capitalist system.

Unfortunately, at this election TUSC will not be standing in Devon, but supporters are invited to help out with the campaigns in Bristol South (whose current MP is New Labour minister Dawn Primarolo) and Coventry North East (where TUSC candidate, Cllr. Dave Nellist, is up against defence secretary Bob Ainsworth).  The TUSC leaflet can be downloaded from here.  Hopefully, TUSC can develop into the alternative that is direly needed to the establishment Westminster parties.  Please promote TUSC and what it is trying to achieve, even if this time you won't have the chance to vote for them or campaign in your local area.