The Inaugural Meeting of the York Branch of the C.s.e.

Following the highly successful campaign conference held at York by the Regional Organisation on Saturday, “th December, the York Branch of the Centre for Socialist Education was able to initiate a modest, but immensely stimulating meeting. At this, its first, and refreshingly informal grouping, the new branch brought together, almost for the first time in York, a number of socialist trade unionists from 211 parts of the town, Nigel Harris « the group's convenor = opened the discussion by depicting the aims of the National Centree He then stressed the specific problems which the York branch would face in view of the relative leck of industry in the area, as conpared with other Yorkshire towns, and emphasised that whatever was intended for the future, the success of any scheme would, necessarily, depend upon the approach and dedication of each individual member. It was to be a long, but ultimately, much rewarding processe How then, was ea start to be made? After a long and detailed discussion it was decided that initially, the branch would seek to provide speakers, on a variety of subjects, who could visit local trade union branches, Labour Party wards, and other labour organisations. Subsequently, when adequate contact had been achieved with such organisations, and branch members had learnt from the experience of the town's workers, the branch could proceed to a more ambitious progranme of weekend schools and a’ series of weekly lectures. Some conflict arose concerning the "correct approach" and subject matter of the lectures, and arising out of the arguments was the inevitable demarcation between so-called "grass-roots problems" and "politics", Finally, however, all.agreed that it was incredibly foolish to separate industrial matters from politics, and what the argument really amounted to was the necessity to begin at the existing level of consciousness. Branch members would have just as much to learn from the dey-to-day experiences of the workers as they would be in a position to assist in socialist education, and only after some time could they effectively enhance the level . socialist consciousness in the local labour movement. : Having dealt substantially with future intentions, a five-point plan was drawn up to act as a guide for immediate action. Broadly, it amounted to the following: 1. To list a variety of subjects of direct relevance to local workers, (ieee railway closures, youth unerploynent, the incones policy, apprentices! training, female employment, and so on) and make vlans for a series of weekly lectures on such topics as "The History of the Labour Movement" s "Socialism = From Saint Simon to Bernstein"; "Karl Marx 2nd Labour"; "Yorkers! Control in Industry"; "Structural Changes in Contemporary Capitalism"; and, of course, on local matters as and when they arise. . 2e In order to establish a degree of autonomy, to list as many local members as possible who could lecture on the topics outlined in point (1). 3, Send a duplicated letter together with the C.S.E. leaflet on "Aims of the Centre" to every trade union branch and Labour Party ward in the area, offering to send a speaker from the branch, in order to explain fully what activities the York Centre intends to carry out within the coming years 4. Send out speakers to those organisations mentioned above, and other interested parties such as the Young Socialists and students. 5. Prepare for a campaign meeting to take place in Februsrye Of the points outlined above, the first three have already been undertaken with amazing success, The duplicated letter received the signatures of a number of trade unionists - including the secretary of the York Trades Council, and prominent members of the CelePecsee