SPGB Meetings (1986)

Party News from the November 1986 issue of the Socialist Standard

Blogger's Notes:

So many meetings and, sadly, not enough space in the label section to list all the speakers featured. I even had to omit the branches from the label section this time around. Just not enough *cough* characters.

Despite all the meetings listed, it looks like only one of them is featured on the audio page of the SPGB website. The debate in Newcastle with Bill Etherington of the NUM — later a Labour MP — is available at the following link:

The crisis in Capitalism - What is the next step? 

Debate between Clifford Slapper (SPGB) and Bill Etherington (Gen. Sec. of Durham Mechanics, N.U.M.)

Venue: The Printers Pie, Newcastle upon Tyne 1986

I wonder if Harry Young's meeting in Chiswick under the title of 'A Socialist's trip to Siberia' covered the same ground as his article, 'Escape to Happiness (or drama on the Trans-Siberian Railway)', which appeared in the October 1986 issue of the Socialist Standard, and which generated some controversy at the time.

SPGB Meetings (1986)

Party News from the September 1986 issue of the Socialist Standard

Blogger's Note:

The January 1987 issue of the Socialist Standard carried an article by Janie Percy-Smith giving an overview of the Women and Socialism meetings that took place in the autumn of 1986 to help promote the SPGB pamphlet of the same name.

SPGB Meetings (1987)

Party News from the September 1987 issue of the Socialist Standard

Blogger's Note:

The Turf Hotel in Wrexham is the pub featured in the Hulu documentary Welcome to Wrexham. So, 34 years before McElhenney and Reynolds were pulling pints, you had the SPGB in the same pub putting the world to rights. The circle of life.

Local Election Results (1990)

Party News from the July 1990 issue of the Socialist Standard

The results in the two wards contested by the Socialist Party in the May local elections were as follows:

Winton ward. Salford Borough Council: Prior (Lab) 2790, Botton (Con) 506, Hanley (Green) 267, Rushton (Soc) 101.

Southfield Ward. London Borough of Ealing: Ebonezer (Con) 1574, Atkinson (Con) 1568, Richardson (Con) 1568, Hill (Lab) 1295, Tatlorsall (Lab) 1254, Rose (Lib Dem) 1089, Bastin (Lab) 1069, Huck (Lib Dem) 1031, Lourie (Lib Dem) 1000, Landon (Green) 501, Buick (Soc) 41, Critchfield (Soc) 37, Cronin (Soc) 31.

Socialism at the Polls (1990)

Party News from the May 1990 issue of the Socialist Standard

Socialist Party candidates are standing in two wards in the 3 May local elections: in the Winton ward, Eccles, of Salford Borough Council (candidate: Jimmy Rushton) and in the Southfield ward of the London Borough of Ealing (candidates: Adam Buick, Ralph Critchfield and Kevin Cronin).

Those in these areas who want a socialist world of common ownership, democratic control and production solely for use can show this by voting for these candidates. Elsewhere, they can do so by writing the word “Socialism” across their ballot paper.

Party News (1990)

Party News from the April 1990 issue of the Socialist Standard

Eccles branch are putting up a candidate in the Winton ward, Eccles, for the elections to Salford Borough Council on 3 May.

Those in the ward who want to indicate a preference for socialism can do so by voting for the socialist candidate Jimmy Rushton.

Further details, offers of help, donations to: Andy Pitts, Election Agent, Erne Court, 146, Slade Lane, Levenshulme, Manchester M19 2AQ. (Tel: (061) 225 ****).

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West London branch are putting up three candidates in the Southfield ward for the elections to Ealing Borough Council on 3 May.

The socialist candidates will be Adam Buick, Ralph Critchfield and Kevin Cronin.

Further details, offers of help, donations to: Adam Buick, Election Agent, 40 Granville Gardens, London W5 3PA. (Tel: (01) 992 ****).

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Socialist Teachers Group

A meeting will be held at the Socialist Party Head Office, 52 Clapham High St, London SW4 7UN (nearest tube: Clapham North) at 2pm on Sunday 20 May to discuss setting up such a group. Further information: Kerima Mohideen, c/o Head Office.

Obituary: Jimmy Rushton (1990)

Obituary from the July 1990 issue of the Socialist Standard

We regret to announce the death ot Comrade Jimmy Rushton of Eccles Branch. Jimmy incurred serious head injuries after falling from a motorbike while holidaying in Rhodes, Greece. He was flown to Athens to receive more sophisticated medical attention, however he sadly passed away on the morning of 2 June. 1990.

Jimmy joined Eccles branch in 1984 where he served as treasurer and was a very active and enthusiastic member. In May he stood as a candidate for the Socialist Party in a local election, polling 101 votes in his home ward of Winton, Manchester.

Often generous to a fault, he will be fondly remembered for his kindness and selflessness. Jimmy was very outspoken in his espousing of the reality of the class struggle — his favourite saying being "never let the bastards grind you down". Jimmy will be especially remembered for the tuition he gave to younger members of the party who became great friends of his due to his affable and easy going character.

He earned the nickname "Gentleman Jimmy" from his work-mates at Barton Swing Bridge on the Manchester Ship Canal in Eccles. where he worked for over twenty years. Jimmy looked after other people but was often negligent in taking care of himself. He claimed he lived for nothing else but socialism and the establishment of a classless, moneyless society.

Our deepest sympathies go out to his mother and father, close relatives and all others who knew and were close to Jimmy.