MSF demand £6 NMW!

The MSF conference came up with few surprises. It voted for a £6 minimum wage and opposed much of Fairness at Work. Overall, on the policy issues, it was on the left, although it agreed to participate in the New Labour set up of policy forums, etc.

Elections to various positions underlined that activists are fairly evenly split between left and right. This was a rules revision conference, but very few rules were actually revised because the NEC -- as usual -- had failed to consult the membership in most cases. A proposal to change the status of the reserved women's seats -- in order to protect a current right-wing holder -- got not one vote in support after it became clear that not even the women's committee had been consulted!

The leadership had little opportunity to manipulate the conference because the left wing president Sharon Allen was an extremely good chair and allowed no nonsense from anyone, including the NEC. Unfortunately, a right winger was elected to take her place, so next year will be business as usual.

Behind the scenes, it was different story. Unity Left had planned its usual social, including a presentation to the recently retired Assistant General Secretary Barbara Switzer. Someone phoned the hotel and cancelled the room. The do was rearranged for the next night, but the leadership changed the times of other events to clash! As Barbara said, it was quite flattering to know that they fear the left so much.

The meeting organised by the Campaign for a Democratic Union was standing room only. Unfortunately, the featured speaker, Dennis Skinner, was unable to attend because of a family death, but Liz Davies, speaking on behalf of the NEC centre left slate, did come and made an excellent contribution.

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