The Greater Toronto Workers Assembly AGM was really interesting. Great speakers. Herman Rosenfeld, Kamilla Petrick and Judy Rebick all gave excellent talks and the discussion was vibrant. Herman spoke of the possibility (or lack thereof) of building an electoral alternative to the NDP provincially or federally, Kamilla spoke about the Free and Accessible Transit Campaign in Toronto and its path forward, and Judy reflected on a variety of municipal issues, including the Chow campaign and the very dangerous phenomenon of the Fords. I personally spoke of what I feel is the need to create a Toronto Left Front (it need not be called that of course, I use the term only for historical reasons) municipal electoral alliance of anti-capitalist candidates of various stripes on a united slate for 2018 and what I feel is the need to start building this now. This would lend anti-capitalist candidates legitimacy and counter the endorsements of essentially liberal or mainstream New Democrat progressives in many wards by NDP/Liberal riding associations, Labour Council, elements of the media, etc. It would also allow the pooling of resources. It was great to see Communists, Trotskyists and Socialists of various stripes responding positively to this and and being willing, despite differences, at least in principle to examine it. I hope we can build on this. Watch for my written analysis (critical) of my own campaign and the election generally, why I think it did not build on 2010 and what I think strategies for genuine anti-capitalists might be going forward municipally, an area where, united, I feel we have real possibilities to impact the discourse and debate and to force the passage of real concessions from the ruling political elites. Thanks to the GTWA for holding this event and facilitating the discussion today!
Posted on: Mon, 03 Nov 2014 00:32:11 +0000
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