Congress House filled with people discussing how the left can shape the capital during the Progressive London conference last Saturday.
In 19 sessions, trade unionists, students and other activists discussed issues from housing to Egypt, from transport to multiculturalism.
The multiculturalism session was overflowing.
About 500 people crowded into a plenary session addressed by Diane Abbott MP and Salma Yaqoob of Respect where Ken Livingstone argued that it is better to have a Labour council to manage the cuts.
He acknowledged problems with the previous Labour government but added, “I’m comfortable with the leader I’ve been talking to. Don’t worry about the past—it’s gone.”
Not all shared his confidence. But delegates were angry at the government attacks, and each session ended with a call to build the TUC demo on 26 March—as well as push for Livingstone’s election as London mayor.
A staffing crisis in the NHS
Health workers set to strike across four Manchester hospitals
Bus workers rejected an offer and came back out
