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Junior doctors set to strike: 12-16 September...

DEFEND CORBYN: BACK

THE JUNIOR DOCTORS
T

HE CAMPAIGN TO RE-ELECT
Jeremy Corbyn as Labours leader
has seen unprecedented numbers
of party members and supporters pack
into public meetings across Britain.
The attempted coup against Corbyns
leadership and the challenge by Owen
Smith has only succeeded in mobilising
tens of thousands to express their support.
The campaign is also raising the
concrete argument about whether Labour
will return to the politics of austeritylite or seek to build support for socialist
policies.
There isnt a single politician other than
Corbyn who can bring out these numbers.
Corbyns re-election is a crucial issue
for everyone, whether we are Labour
Party members or not.
This campaign and its outcome is
about the future direction of our whole
movement, we should all back Corbyn.
But once the result is in and Corbyn is
re-elected there has to be a reckoning.
Socialist policies cant be fought for
if one section of the party, centred on
the PLP, continues to undermine the
leadership.
That means that if MPs dont accept
the democratic result of the leadership
campaign this time they should face reselection.

Re-selection

Delegates at Unites conference voted for

such mandatory re-selection, they were
right to do so. MPs are supposed to be the
spokespeople for the party. They shouldnt
have a veto on party democracy.
And while there are some MPs who
clearly need to get with the programme or
close the door on the way outthere are
also people who should be defended.
Why shouldnt committed socialists be
allowed in the Labour Party if they are
prepared to back Corbyn and fight for real
change?
Its also important to be clear that
Labour has to move beyond simply
electoral politics if its to engage its new
audience.
Theres a long time until the 2020
general election.
We cant wait until the election of a
Labour government to fight, therell be

Jeremy Corbyn marching with

striking junior doctors

nothing left!
Labour can put itself at the heart of a
mass movement of resistance against the
Tories, against racism and against war.

Junior Doctors Strikes

Every strike, every protest every

occupation is a blow against Theresa May.
Junior doctors have been absolutely
right to escalate their dispute against
Jeremy Hunts junior contract.
The five-day strike that they have called
for 12-16 September is the kind of action
that can force the Tories to back down.
And the BMA are set to name further
dates for blocks of five-days of strikes in
the coming months.
The strikes will need maximum
possible solidarity from every part of the
trade union movement and from Labour.
At the same time as the battle to save
our NHS, rail unions are also facing a big
fight against the unscrupulous companies
running our railways.

Jeremy Corbyn has come out strongly

for taking Britains rail network back into
public hands.
Workers on Southern Rail have
announced more strikes for safety on 7
and 8 September. Our unions and Labour
should also rally support and solidarity for
that crucial fight.
Junior doctors, teachers and lecturers
could all strike this autumn. That would
deliver a real challenge to the Tories.
On 2 October the Peoples Assembly
has called an unwelcome the Tories
demo in Birmingham at their conference.
And we also have to fight back against
racism. Its brilliant that Corbyns first act
as Labour leader was to speak on a demo
supporting refugees.
Hes the headline speaker at the Stand
up to Racism conference on 8 October.
Hundreds of people have already booked
up for it.

Socialism

We all need to put the case for refugees,

migrant workers and free movement of
labour and halt the Tories attempts to
divide our side through racism.
As vital as the Labour leadership
election is, it has to be just the first step in
a wider battle to beat back austerity and
racism and to fight for socialism.

AUSTERITY HAS FAILED

TORIES MUST GO!
National demonstration
Sunday 2 October, 11.30am
Assemble: Victoria Square
Birmingham
Called by the Peoples Assembly

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