What is the situation?

The last 30 years have left our communities in a bad state. With the introduction of policies such as ‘right to buy’, the privatisation of key services and the impact of neo-liberalism have led to the destruction of council estates and communities, creating ghettoes from which people are desperate to leave rather than stay and fight to build something better.

Now, we are at best atomised, at worst practically divided. The Far Right is making serious inroads into White Working Class neighbourhoods, and the transient nature of our communities now means organising is very hard.

Residents and Tenants Associations, where they exist, are often co-opted by council’s and are weak or disorganised.

Where permanent organisations do not exist, campaigns (often single issue) spring up and disappear, occasionally win, but lessons are lost and mistakes are repeated.

Now we are under the biggest attack for decades. Using the recession as an excuse, many services such as public transport, welfare and care, health, housing, Royal Mail, etc are to be cut and/or privatised.

Unfortunately several decades of defeat, coupled with Thatcherism, have left very unhelpful attitudes such as an expectation of attack coupled with an expectation of defeat.

What do we want?

Worker’s control of industry complimented by resident’s control of the community. Power devolved to the lowest local level, and co-ordination via confederation.

Mass Residents and Tenants Associations (or other permanent rooted mass-community organisation). These to be independent, democratic and ‘mass’ in character. To be strong and organised, used to winning and thirsty for more, with a collective memory.

These organisations will be self-reliant, especially with regards to the way they are funded.

These organisations to be linked together, federated regionally and internationally.

These organisations to be progressive, not simply defensive, claiming increasing influence in their area, this in turn developing into a situation of ‘dual power’ and beyond.

How will we do it?

Identify local residents and tenants organisations with the potential to fulfil the above, and/or community campaigns and activist organisations with the potential to help build mass-organisations of this kind.

Where the former (community campaigns) is present, try and form the latter (Resident and Tenant Associations), and start building a collective memory of winning and organising effectively.

Start by winning small victories to build confidence and participation. Within these organisations aim to lead by example.

Follow a pragmatic and creative approach to ‘class power’ including buy-outs, etc.

Start networking nationally and internationally, first along informal, solidarity lines, but as quickly as practical through formal federation.