Karl Stewart reports from one of the fringe meetings at the Labour party conference, set up to discuss how to reclaim the party

Labour Representation Committee fringe meeting

Away from all the spin and control freakery, over 300 real Labour Party members crammed into a Brighton seafront hotel room in the middle of conference week to discuss how to "reclaim the party." At an evening fringe meeting and social event organised jointly by the campaign group of MPs and the newly formed rank and file Labour Representation Committee, socialists met to hear speeches, exchange ideas, and relax and listen to music.

As Brighton Labour Party member Sue Cook said: "It was the best fringe event of conference."

Mark Seddon, former editor of weekly socialist journal Tribune, caught the mood of the audience perfectly when he said: "We must send out a message loud and clear, this is our party and we want it back."

In a powerful speech, NEC member Mr Seddon tore into Prime Minister Tony Blair, ridiculing the speculation over whether he should apologise for invading Iraq. "We donıt want an apology, we want an exit strategy," he demanded angrily."The real Labour Party and the trade unions must send a clear signal to voters that we are a party of peace not war."

Newly elected National Union of Students President Kat Fletcher criticised those who accuse Britainıs young people of apathy. "Thatıs just not the case," she argued, "look at how ypoung people mobilised spontaneously against the Iraq war. As a concerned party member myself, I feel we must return to our own radical traditions and start litening, as a party, to what young people want." Ms Fletcher made an impassioned call for the party to "reorientate towards our grassroots. We canıt be afraid to speak up and push for whatıs right," she added. "We must be free to debate and dissent with all the people around us."

Developing the "grassroots" theme further, general union GMB general secretary Kevin Curran also indentified this as the correct strategy for "growing the trade union movement."

"To do this," he explained, in a thoughtful and reflective contribution, "we must train and develop leaders in the workplace.Socialism, solidarity and collectivism are the prime principles of trade unionism and we must use these principles to reach out and organise the millions of low-paid workers in Britain who are being exploited." Mr Curran called on the party to "start sharing this vision with people everywhere. Then we can enthuse a new generation of workers about where we, together, as a movement, can take society."

General union T&G general secretary Tony Woodley reminded the audience that the socialist cause had made significant gains over the past year. "This is the first time ever that every Labour-affiliated union has brought fraternal greetings to the campaign groupıs fringe event," he announced proudly, "what a move in 12 months." Mr Woodley praised the united stance taken by trade union delegates to the Labour Partyıs pre-conference policy forum at Warwick. "If we can work together, in a united way, we can make a massive difference," he said. And, illustrating the benefits of heeding Mr Woodleyıs call for trade union unity, clerical rail union general secretary Gerry Doherty reffered to the conference vote for rail renationalisation. "Over 95 per cent of affiliated unions voted with us," said Mr Doherty. At this, a member of the audience shouted out: "Who voted against?" Mr Doherty brought laughter from the hall when he replied: "Well if I find the wee bastard, Iıll give him a Glasgow kiss!"

The speeches gave way to musical entertainment from veteran socialist singer/songwriter Billy Bragg who, at the end of his set, led a chorus of the socialist anthem The Red Flag.

Veteran left-winger Toiny Benn ended the evening with a rousing speech. He slated the 'new' Labour leadership for trying to "drive out our democratic structures." "The NEC, the PLP and even our conference are all so tightly controlled now," he said. And, accusing Mr Blair of acting "like a king," Mr Benn added: "Itıs not capitalism weıre fighting against, itıs feudalism." But the former minister urged party members not to become dispirited, telling them that, "if our party could survive Ramsay Macdonaldıs betrayal, it can survive 'new' Labour." He also called on them not to give up and join one of the fringe left-wing parties. "If you want to leave, Iıve got a list of 20 socialist parties you can join," he joked. Mr Benn insisted that "the future lies with the work being done by the MPs in the campaign group and by the Labour Representation Committee."