The candidates speak
Any party members in Oxfordshire may like to know that this week we have two candidates for leadership positions speaking in our city.
First, on Thursday, leadership candidate John McDonnell MP will be speaking at Oxford Town Hall at 8pm, alongside our own Cllr John Tanner, Brian Hodgeson from the county Labour party, and Carys Afoko from something called Oxford Left Forum (I’ve never heard of them - can anyone illuminate me? They’re unGoogleable.)
Then, on Friday, deputy leadership candidate Jon Cruddas MP and Nick Lowles of Searchlight will lead a discussion on race, class, New Labour and the far right at the Oxford and District LP monthly general meeting, at 7.30pm at the Asian Cultural Centre.
I’ll be at both events, and hope to see some other local party members there too.
Oxford Left Forum used to be called Balliol Left Caucus I believe - its a non partisan ‘progressive’ grouping in the University…
Matt
Oh, okay - Balliol Left Caucus I know.
Oxford Left Forum = A grouping for leftie students to compete over who can be the most ‘radical’ and to discuss when exactly the revolution will be taking place.
Needless to say they are too busy intellectually masturbating to go to Blackbird Leys or anywhere else where they could try to raise the class consciousness of the workers.
I don’t know why our paths didn’t cross when I was studying in Oxford, but I’m glad I found your site through John Denham’s new blog.
I take it you’ve sent the details of this to Oxford Unviersity Labour Club? If not, its worth doing as they will probably help you get a decent turnout. Just google “OULC” if you’re not already in contact with them. The organisation is also pretty good at helping with campaign-related stuff, if you need it.
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I’m pretty glad Balliol Left Caucus never tried to “raise the class consciousness of the workers” in Blackbird Leys - I can’t think of much that would’ve set the revolution back further…
Back in the day (and by that I mean a couple of years ago) BLC would never have been taken seriously enough for people to attack it - it was just an occasional meeting of vaguely lefty Balliol students over deep-fried grease and a pint.
Scrybe - thanks. I think OULC are having John McDonnell to speak before he comes along to the Town Hall, but I’ll drop them a line about Jon Cruddas.
I will hopefully be attending the one on Thursday, but unfortunately can not make the one on friday, as I’m at work.
Sorry, will have to scratch my attendance: I have a politics Society debate I have to chair…
Oxford Left Forum are a good thing I think, they do lots of stuff around Campsfield. OULC are indeed hearing from John tomorrow, as are Brookes with UNISON and UCU; the FBU and Ruskin College. Just hoping he hasn’t given himself laryngitis by the evening…!
McDonnell is speaking, as is Hazel Blears at a later date - but Cruddas isn’t on their speaker’s list for this term.