Senior figures from Labour’s left wing are expected to speak alongside striking workers at The World Transformed festival taking place alongside Labour Conference on 24 – 27 September.
Taking place just a few days before the proposed energy price hike, the organisers say the event will assemble groups on the front line of the cost of living crisis for a “festival of resistance” to the Tories and will put pressure on the Labour leader, Keir Starmer, whom they accuse of failing to stand up for working people.
The World Transformed festival was first organised in 2016 and grew out of the movement that supported Jeremy Corbyn for Labour leader. Now in its seventh year, the organisers say this year’s festival will debate the labour movement’s next moves as the political terrain shifts in response to the cost of living crisis.
As part of their plans to support workers fighting for a pay rise, they are organising youth delegations from the Communications Workers’ Union, National Education Union, Equity and Unison North West, amongst others.
The festival line-up includes Labour MPs Ian Byrne, Zarah Sultana, Richard Burgon and Nadia Whittome, left-wing writers Owen Jones and Lola Olufemi, comedian Ava Vidal, and will feature events with the Don’t Pay UK campaign. Dozens more will be announced in the coming weeks.
The World Transformed is supported by a range of labour movement and progressive organisations, including Momentum, the Socialist Campaign Group of Labour MPs, Young Labour, the Communication Workers’ Union, The Institute of Race Relations, Disabled People Against the Cuts and Novara Media.
Ian Byrne, MP for Liverpool, West Derby, said:
“I’m truly excited that The World Transformed is returning to Liverpool this year at such an important moment.
Trade unions have been leading the way in demanding fairness and dignity for working people, and it is crucial that we support them. The World Transformed has a vital role to play in growing this movement for change. By bringing people together to develop strategies, share ideas and fight back, our movement can challenge this pernicious government and unjust system to achieve a real transformation of society.”
Ash Sarkar, Contributing Editor of Novara Media, said:
“From the RMT to BT staff, posties to teachers, workers are wielding their collective power to defend their pay and conditions.
Meanwhile, Keir Starmer sacks shadow ministers for supporting trade unionists on picket lines. This Labour leadership has proved, time and again, that it is unable and unwilling to address the most pressing issues of our time.
The World Transformed is an important space for the left to meet, think, and organise without being scared of how billionaire press barons might spin it. Politicians won’t save us: if we want a better world, the movement will have to fight for it.”
Kate Newman, an organiser for The World Transformed, said:
“The World Transformed is the only event of its kind in Britain. At TWT 2022 will be taking this further through an expanded programme of arts, entertainment and performance. We have also designed streams of debates, workshops and training to equip attendees with skills and knowledge to organise more effectively in their communities and workplaces.
TWT will also host a range of legendary DJs and bands in one of Britain’s great party cities. So anyone looking for solutions to the current crises, or wanting to experience the biggest and best parties on the left – TWT is an unmissable event.”
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