They Don’t Represent Us

Mainstream politicians are alienating millions by justifying austerity, insecurity and inequality. However the result of the election will affect us all. Instead of letting the economic crisis define what is possible, can we have a politics that goes beyond austerity?

A series of scandals have rocked the establishment leaving faith in liberal democracy and main stream politics at a record low. The Scottish referendum campaign, the election of Syriza and the popularity of Russell Brand all point to a desire for change. But the strong support for UKIP underlines that the hard right is also capitalising from disillusion with business-as-usual politics. “They don’t represent us” is a day conference drawing together anti-capitalists who want to discuss how best we understand the current situation in order to change it.

The day is structured to maximise the chances to participate in the discussions for all who attend with speakers representing a range of views from the revolutionary left and anti-austerity movement. Most sessions will follow a similar format with short panel introductions, 20 minutes “speed debating”, questions and a whole meeting discussion with responses from the panel.

»  Book tickets here (advance bookings close at 6pm – On the door ticket prices to be announced)

»  Join the Facebook event

»  Download flyer

Timetable:

10 -11.15: The General Election – Analyse this (venue: main space)

This activity based session will look at the ins and outs of the general election results. This will be an early opportunity to talk through what the results mean for anti-capitalists and the establishment.

Closing speeches by Owen Jones (author) on What the results mean for the establishment, and Barnaby Raine (NUS executive) on Was Labour to left wing?

Registration will occur during this session – we are waiting confirmation on a special guest to close it!

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11.30 – 1.30: Impact of Austerity – why do we feel insecure? (venue: main space)

Panel: James Meadway (economist at New Economics Foundation and Counterfire) on government responses to Austerity; Katya Nasim (Brick Lane Debates) on contesting the housing crisis; A Unite rep) on insecurity and resistance at work

11.30 – 1.30:  Radical Alternatives – lessons from Europe (Venue: small hall)

Panel: Cat Boyd (Scotland’s Radical Independence Campaign), on the impact of the yes movement; Marina Prentoulis (Syriza), on the experience of Syriza; Shane Fitzgerald (Dublin anti water charges activist) on lessons from the water charges movement.

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1.30 – 2.30: Break

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2.30 – 4.30: Resisting the right: immigration and Islamophobia (venue: main space)

Panel: Anindya Bhattacharyya (rs21.org.uk), on racism and anti-racism today; speaker tbc, immigration and fortress Europe; Ibrahim Ali (Federation of Student Islamic Societies), on Islamophobia after Charlie Hebdo.

2.30 – 4.30: Sexual Abuse, corruption and the new feminism (venue small hall)

Panel tbc soon

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5 – 7: Politics beyond Austerity – strategies for the radical left

Panel: Aaron Bastani (Novara Media) on the idea of fully automated luxury communism; Kate Deer (economist & rs21.org.uk) on has the UK recovered from the economic crisis? Estelle Cooch (rs21.org.uk) on seizing the unexpected

Facilities:

»  A creche is available throughout the day.

»  The venue is fully accessible. Please contact us if you have any access needs and we will do our best to accommodate.

»  Some accommodation available for those outside London.

»  Some rs21 groups will have cheaper transport arranged for the event.

Please email revolutionarysocialism21 at gmail.com if you need to book the creche, accommodation, advice on transport or any additional information.