The Workers Must Step Up and Strengthen the Work to Take Responsibility for the Fate of Society

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124^th Durham Miners Gala and Big Meeting:
The Workers Must Step Up and Strengthen the Work to Take Responsibility for the Fate of Society

Statement of Northern Regional Committee of RCPB(ML), July 12, 2008

The 124th Durham miners Gala comes on the eve of the 25th anniversary of the great miners' strike of 1984-5. The strike produced an unprecedented conflict between the state and miners of which much has been written in terms that it was a defeat for the miners and the working class in Britain. However, today its legacy can be viewed not only in terms of a defeat, but more importantly in its lesson as to the sharp struggle over which is the crucial social force who are prepared to shoulder responsibility for the fate of society. That pride in the dignity of labour which was characteristic of the miners in their heroic and protracted struggle, and which is also being upheld by miners today is embodied in the traditions of the Gala and Big Meeting. That the cause of the working class represents the way out of the crisis and the future of society is also the spirit of the Gala as it develops and renews these traditions.

Chopwell Banner in 2003 features Marx and Lenin and Photo of "Big Meeting" last year

The miners’ union itself is mindful of these responsibilities. In December 2007, British miners were involved in organising the first ever international miners’ conference which was held in Calcutta, India, with mining unions taking part from across the world. On March 15, 2008, miners marked the 24th anniversary since David Jones and Joe Green were killed on picket lines with their annual lecture. The NUM remembered the two heroes of the strike who died supporting their union and fighting against the politically motivated rundown of the mining industry. Chris Kitchen, NUM National Secretary, pointed out that it is the miners and their union that have taken up the fight for an energy policy that encompasses the maintenance of the nation’s deep mined coal and extensive investment in clean coal technology. "Britain’s coal reserves must be exploited in the interests of the nation which means taking the industry back into public ownership," he said. In May, miners at the newly reopened Hatfield Colliery voted overwhelmingly for recognition of their union at the pit.

Whilst coal production in Britain has fallen to its lowest level for 200 years at below 15 million tons, by contrast Britain imported 51 million tonnes of coal. As the energy crisis deepens, it becomes clearer with every passing day that society must follow the lead of the working class and not that of monopoly capitalism which has led society further down the road of economic disaster, fascism and war since the end of the miners’ strike.

It is the workers who must take the lead in building the nation anew and defeating the stranglehold of finance capital and the monopolies on the society. An important lesson, not only of the miners’ strike, but of the history of class struggle in the whole 20th century, is that the workers must strengthen their political and economic organisation. How to strengthen the unions as defence organisations on a new mass basis in which the workers consciously participate is a crucial question of the day, when the ruling class is intent on wrecking society. What kind of modern political party is needed so that the working class can put its stamp on the running of society, and empower the people to be the decision-makers is also of vital importance. It is the burning question of the day. It is clear that the workers cannot hand over responsibility and initiative to any other force, organisation or party that excludes them from decision-making.

Only the working class organised as an independent force that resolves the political crisis of representative democracy in its favour can save the day. For this, the workers need their own political, ideological and organisational centre. The Northern Regional Committee of RCPB(ML) calls on all class conscious workers to build a workers’ opposition that has its own motion and self-consciousness. The state of society is crying out for new worker politicians that can intervene in the political process to fight for the programme of the working class. We call on all at the Gala and Big Meeting to join and strengthen the work to take up responsibility for the fate of society. Such a programme fights to accomplish crucial tasks at this juncture of history: to guarantee the rights of all, for an economy that stops paying the rich and increases investments in social programmes, and the establishment of an anti-war government.

Only the Working Class Can Save the Day!

For Renewal of the Political Process!

For the Rights of All Guaranteed in Law!

Stop Paying the Rich! Increase Investments in Social Programmes!

For an Anti-War Government!