Make Votes Matter - Wakefield - street stall
2022-11-26 11:00 - 14:00 (Europe/London)
MVM street stall in Wakefield
Saturday 26 November, 11am to 2pm
Venue: Wakefield Cathedral precinct by Boots Opticians
We do hope you can come along and join the stall to send a pro-PR message out to the world that a minority government is no longer tolerable.
Please feel free to share with anyone you think maybe interested in finding out more.
All are most welcome.
For further information contact: local@makevotesmatter.org.uk

Reclaim the Night 2022 - Newcastle Upon Tyne
2022-11-26 18:00 - 20:00
Join us for Newcastle’s annual Reclaim the Night march. Let’s take to the streets, raise our voices and demand an end to violence against women and girls!
– Meet at the Bigg Market (just outside TJ Hughes) 6pm – March to Baltic Square 6.15pm
– Speeches from 7pm.
March with us to…
Raise awareness of the level of violence against women and girls still taking place across the world, the UK and our local area, and make sure people keep talking about it.
Demand that local leaders, politicians and decision makers take action to make our homes, streets and institutions safe for all women and girls.
Remember all those lost to gender based violence and show solidarity to all those fighting to end it.
Bring your voices, placards, whistles and friends and join us to make some noise in Newcastle!
If you can’t make it along on 26 November, you can still get involved by sharing the event with your family, friends and colleagues.
Saturday 26 November 2022 | 6pm | The Bigg Market, Newcastle Upon Tyne
– Share on Facebook
– Share on Twitter

Let us know you’re coming and keep up to date with the plans!

Workers Can Win! Cardiff book launch
2022-11-27 16:30 - 19:00
Come and discuss this new guide to the techniques and politics of organising at work from Pluto Press with the author and other activists.
Book your free ticket via https://wcwcardiff.eventbrite.co.uk
Hosted by Cardiff People’s Assembly. If your union branch or organisation would like to sponsor this event, please get in touch.
For more information about the book, including the contents, Chapter 1 – the introduction, and how to pre-order copies, explore this website.
Download a leaflet. Promote the book launch using the Facebook event.

Bold Solutions: The economic, climate and energy crises and how we fix them - London
2022-11-28 08:00 - 17:00
A TUC conference on solutions to the energy, climate and economic crises
Both our economy and our planet are in crisis.
Bills and sea levels are rising at an unprecedented rate. Nationally, the cost-of-living scandal is driving absolute poverty and forcing millions into increasingly desperate conditions. Globally, climate change is threatening the lives and livelihoods of billions of workers. These crises are parallel and inter-linked.
We urgently need a politics that builds a safe climate for future generations, a rapid and just transition with quality jobs, and an economy that rewards work, not wealth. The TUC is convening a conference: two events, one in person and one online, that will coincide with COP 27 and bring trade union and climate activists together to gather solutions.
How do we combine our struggles for an equitable cost of living, workers’ rights and a just transition to climate safety?

Fighting back against the far right: misogyny and LGBT+ hate
2022-11-29 15:00 - 17:00
Far right movements around the world are using hatred of women and LGBT+ people to further their agendas. But how can trade unions and working people fight back against this hate?
Join us to hear from a panel of international speakers who will share how they are fighting back against the far right in their contexts.
We will share best practice on anti-far right campaigning and organising, and continue to build on our movement’s anti-fascism work.
Line-up of international speakers to be announced.

TUC Yorkshire & the Humber public meeting: Women, Trades Unions and Culture
2022-11-29 18:00 - 19:30
Women make up at least half of cultural industries workers, yet far too often are under-represented across a range of cultural organisations. With an excellent panel of speakers this hybrid meeting will discuss what we can do to change this.
The meeting will explore the role of women in trade unions and cultural organisations and how women’s participation is integral to building an inclusive and representative movement.
Join us to consider how our organisations and unions can ensure they are inclusive environments for women workers and what changes we need to make so that women can participate fully.
Women and supportive men welcome, we look forward to seeing you there.
When? Tuesday November 29, 6pm-7.30pm
Where? Hybrid – in person at City Room, Leeds Playhouse, Quarry Hill, LS2 7UP; to attend online, please register here
Who? Speakers include: Louise McMullan, Deputy for the General Secretary, Equity; Naomi Pohl, General Secretary, Musicians Union; Philippa Childs, Head of Bectu sector of Prospect. Chair: Harriet Eisner, chair of TUC YH Equalities Forum
For more information contact either Ellie Drake , Equity organiser/assistant or Pete Keal, Equity representative, TUC Y&H CLIC.

TUC Yorkshire & the Humber CLIC public meeting: Women, Trades Unions and Culture |Tuesday 29 November | 6pm – 7.30pm | City Room, Leeds Playhouse, Quarry Hill, Leeds, LS2 7UP and online

Why isn't our politics working and how can we fix it? - London
2022-11-30 17:00 - 19:00
The UK has experienced a period of profound disruption. Having last month welcomed our third Prime Minister this year, including the shortest serving Prime Minister in British history, there is widespread feeling that the current political system isn’t working. We are in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis, with a harsh winter ahead, and public services stretched to breaking point. Many people feel that politics isn’t delivering better lives for them and that their voice isn’t heard. This event will discuss what problems our current political system is facing, and what can be done to increase trust in politics, recapture lost voters and reinforce the foundations of democracy.
Speakers include:

Sir Ed Davey MP, Leader of the Liberal Democrats
Dr Hannah White OBE, Director, Institute for Government
Tom Brake, Director, Unlock Democracy
Carys Roberts, Executive Director, IPPR

This event will be recorded and subsequently uploaded to our website.
This event is being hosted by IPPR and Unlock Democracy, and is being kindly supported by the Electoral Reform Society.

Make Votes Matter - Democracy Awards
2022-11-30 18:00 - 20:00
Join us for the Democracy Awards, the annual celebration of those who have dedicated their time and energy to the cause of Proportional Representation.
Details to be confirmed soon…

World Aids Day - Rock the Ribbon
2022-12-01
Globally, there are an estimated 38 million people living with HIV. More than 35 million people have died of HIV or AIDS related illnesses, making it one of the most destructive pandemics in history.
Many people still don’t know the facts about how to protect themselves and others, and stigma and discrimination remain a reality for people living with the condition.
People living with HIV are also more likely to experience poverty, hardship and inequalities.
Marking World AIDS Day shows a genuine commitment to equality and diversity and shows your customers/clients, and employees, that you are an inclusive business that strives to be supportive of people living with HIV.
This World AIDS Day, use red ribbons and our ready-made events materials to help raise awareness in your workplace and raise vital funds for National AIDS Trust, so that together we can stop HIV from standing in the way of health, dignity and equality, and end new HIV transmissions by 2030.

Make Votes Matter - North London Zoom
2022-12-01 18:00 - 19:15
All are welcome.
If you have any questions or want to join the MVM North London group, please email David Brown at davidvital@talktalk.net.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89173156931?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 891 7315 6931
Passcode: [REDACTED]

Conference win >>> Manifesto
2022-12-01 19:00 - 20:30 | Online
lus the (very early) #Labour4PR Christmas Party!
Now that conference policy is clear, how do we get Proportional Representation in the next Labour manifesto?
Come along to this briefing to find out:

how is the manifesto written?
how can Labour members and affiliates can have influence
our plan for 2023

On the journey to a Labour conference win, Labour’s electoral reform movement has built up incredible support across the whole party. Now we all need to focus this energy on our next objective: a commitment in the next Labour manifesto.
This 45 minute briefing will be followed by an informal online Christmas Party… bring a mulled wine, mince pie, or whatever gets you in a festive mood!

UNISON Young Members Self-Organised Group Conference
2022-12-02 - 2022-12-04
UNISON’s Young Member Self-Organised Group Committee has agreed to hold a Young Members Self-Organised Group Conference on Friday 2nd December to Sunday 4th December 2022.
Please note the deadline to submit motions on OCS is 12.00 noon on Friday 5th August 2022.
If you have any queries, please contact the Conference Office at conferences@unison.co.uk

Electoral Reform Society 2022 Conference and AGM
2022-12-03 | Cardiff, CF10 2FL
Save the date for the ERS’ annual conference and AGM. This year we are planning a hybrid event, with an in-person AGM in Cardiff and online access from your home.
More details to be confirmed.

Warm This Winter - Day of Action on Fuel Poverty across the UK
2022-12-03
We’re working with groups and communities to put on events and actions in villages, towns and cities up and down the country. We’re planning a huge display of people power to show we have the solutions to the energy crisis and they need to be implemented now.

Here’s how to take part
Events and activities will be distributed around the country showing the breadth of demand for change. Actions and events can look like anything you would like them to.
They can range from a small gathering of friends and family to discuss the issues we’re facing, a stall in your town centre or an event in a local community hall or park. You could share leaflets and information about the campaign and how people can stay warm this winter, it could be a visual stunt making the most of your creative talents, or a demonstration or town hall event where folk can come and hear people speak. You decide what will work for you and your community. Whatever it is, however big or small, it will help spread the word and make it clear that we demand change.

Usdaw North West Regional Conference - Blackpool
2022-12-03 - 2022-12-04 | The Grand Hotel, Blackpool, FY1 2JQ, Blackpool, FY1 2JQ, United Kingdom
For further information contact your local Usdaw office.

Make Votes Matter - Newark
2022-12-03 08:30 - 12:30
Please join us at Southwell market in Nottinghamshire.

Future of the Arts conference - TUC London East & South East
2022-12-03 10:00 - 16:00
This event will focus both on how the sector can weather the current economic storms, but more importantly, how a long-term and sustainable future for the arts can be secured to the benefit of society as a whole. TUC LESE Culture and Leisure Industries Committee has published an action plan called ‘Making Culture Ours’, which is a progressive manifesto for the future. It will be the centre-piece of the event.
To register for the event and for updates please email lese@tuc.org.uk, putting ‘Making Culture Ours 3rd December’ in the subject box. General Council Chamber, TUC Congress House, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3LS

Campaign For Trade Union Freedom & Institute Of Employment Rights
2022-12-03 10:00 - 16:00
From Pentonville to P&O: Union Rights & Tory Wrongs Campaigning For Free Trade Unions
The conference will focus on the need to mobilise and support a major trade union campaign to fight against attacks on workers’ and union rights and the need to ensure a full implementation by Labour of the New Deal for Working People as agreed at the Labour Party Conference.
The conference will take place at:
National Education Union, Hamilton House, Mabledon Place, London, WC1H 9BD
11:00 am to 1:00 pm. 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

Speakers include senior trade unionists, lay union reps in dispute, MPs, lawyers, campaign groups and the left media.
Speakers
Tony Burke, Co-Chair CTUF, Unite, Confederation Of Shipbuilding & Engineering Unions President
Sarah Woolley, Co-Chair CTUF General Secretary of the Bakers Food & Allied Workers Union
Frances O’Grady, General Secretary, TUC
Mick Whelan, Chair Labour Unions (TULO) & General Secretary ASLEF
Mick Lynch, General Secretary RMT
Dave Ward, General Secretary Communication Workers Union
Kevin Courtney, Joint General Secretary National Education Union
Dr. Jo Grady, General Secretary, UCU
Mark Serwotka, General Secretary PCS
Professor Keith Ewing, CTUF/IER
Lord John Hendy KC, CTUF/IER
Barry Gardiner MP
John McDonnell MP
Andy Green, National Secretary CTUF, Unite Executive Council Member, Convenor Tilbury Docks
Nabeela Mowlana, Chair, Young Labour
Ben Chacko, Editor, Morning Star
Laura Pidcock, National Secretary Peoples Assembly
Matt Foot, Lawyer & writers on public order law
More speakers to be announced including union reps in dispute.
Eventbrite: Book your FREE place by clicking here

Make Votes Matter - Richmond, Yorks - street stall
2022-12-03 14:00 - 17:00
Details to follow soon…
For further information you can contact:
mvmnorthyorks@gmail.com

Young & unrepresented - an LCER Youth event
2022-12-06 19:00 - 20:30 | Online
All young people welcome for this LCER Youth event as we explore how Proportional Representation can help us achieve the policies we need for our futures.
First Past the Post consistently gives older, home-owning voters in marginal seats disproportionate power over British politics – while young people’s voices are ignored.
To make sure young people’s voices are heard – and to bring about a progressive, more equal future for the whole UK – we need a fair, proportional democracy. Join the discussion about why we need Labour to commit to PR and how we can make it happen.
Featuring:

Ben McGowan – National Chair, Labour Students
Kira Lewis – Labour & Co-op Councillor
Lara Parizotto – Labour Councillor & Migrant Democracy Project Co-founder
Ralph Ali – Young Labour’s Under 18’s Rep

Unison - Champions Day
2022-12-07
UNISON will be holding our first-ever Champions Day, designed to raise the profile of local government workers and highlight how much we appreciate them and the work they do. All year, local authority staff play their part in holding our communities together, supporting us through every stage of our lives – this is the perfect opportunity to recognise and celebrate their contributions.
Workplaces are encouraged to hold their own celebrations to highlight how much local government workers matter – and why we appreciate them. There are lots of ideas and resources available on the campaign webpage.
Find out more at https://www.unison.org.uk/champions-day/

Democracy Network Annual Conference 2022
2022-12-07 - 2022-12-08
On December 7th & 8th, 2022, we are bringing together all the organisations across Great Britain and Northern Ireland working on issues of power, democracy and voice for an exciting schedule spanning two days.
We will have a series of workshops, provocations and activities with collaboration, connection and celebration at the core of the exciting agenda.
We want to recognise and champion the outstanding work being done across our sector to empower people and communities which we will do on the evening of the 7th at our own ‘Democracy Awards Dinner’,
We also want to give lots of opportunities for building collaborations for long-term political change and building alternative democratic realities, fit for the 21st century.
The conference’s speakers and sessions will be guided by these three key conference themes of:

Empowering people
Renewing and challenging our current system
Building democratic alternatives

We would love for you to join us at this special event.
If your organisation would be interested in taking an exhibition space at the conference please complete your details here
If you would be interested in hosting a workshop based on the three themes above, please complete an expression of interest here
Should you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to drop us an email at democracynetwork@involve.org.uk.

State of Health and Care Conference 2022
2022-12-08 12:00 - 18:00
Our health is in crisis. 20th century improvements in UK population health are reversing; UK health is lagging behind other advanced countries; and the NHS faces the toughest winter in its history.
At the same time, the economy faces big, fundamental and long-term weaknesses. The labour market is struggling; productivity has failed to recover from the financial crash; and we are experiencing a chronic lack of growth.
It is these twin challenges that have inspired IPPR to launch the Commission on Health and Prosperity – chaired by Dame Sally Davies and Lord Ara Darzi. Our formative hypothesis is that a fairer country is a healthier one, and a healthier country is a more prosperous one. Put another way, better health is the medicine our economy desperately needs.

Make Votes Matter - Shropshire - Ludlow Street Stall
2022-12-09 11:00 - 13:00
MVM Shropshire will be holding a street stall in Ludlow (meeting point to be confirmed) on Friday 9 December, 11am to 1pm. Please drop by and say hello if you’re in the area.

THE RAGGED TROUSERED PHILANTHROPISTS - Pontefract
2022-12-09 19:30 - 21:30
One Man Magic Lantern show of the classic book THE RAGGED TROUSERED PHILANTHROPISTS by Robert Tressell
Actor Neil Gore brings this humorous and absorbing book to life in his one person magic lantern show. Based on the 1914 novel by Robert Tressell, its story is set in the building trades of Edwardian England where painters and decorators struggle to maintain themselves and their families, poverty and the constant fear of unemployment notwithstanding, while renovating a large townhouse for the local mayor.
With projected animation & fantastic story telling there’s something for all the family here, not least the chance to become acquainted with this timeless story of socialism and political awakening.

CONFERENCE: Solidarity * Struggle * Socialism
2022-12-10 10:00 - 16:30
A national conference bringing together the Left & anti-Tory resistance movements in unity to discuss next steps in the fightback in 2023.

About this event

John McDonnell MP // Sarah Woolley, BFAWU General Secretary // Richard Burgon MP // Mick Whelan, ASLEF GS // Nadia Whittome MP // Zita Holbourne, Black Activists Rising Against Cuts (BARAC) // Lord John Hendy QC // Hilary Schan, Momentum // Ben Chacko, Morning Star // Sabby Dhalu, Stand up to Racism // Heidi Chow, Debt Justice // Mick Burke, Socialist Economic Bulletin // Rachel Garnham, CLPD // Ruth Hayes, Labour Women Leading // Matt Willgress, Labour Outlook // Sakina Sheikh AM // Steve Howell, author, Game Changer // Holly Turner, NHS Workers Say No // Jon Trickett MP // Laura Smith // Barry Gardiner MP & more.
Themes, sessions & international guests tba – put the date in your diary today!

Hosted by Arise – A Festival of Left Ideas.

Disabled workers and the cost-of-living crisis
2022-12-12 18:00 - 19:00
Overview

16 November – 16 December is Disability History Month. The month marks the history of disabled people’s struggles for equality and human rights.
This month takes place during a cost-of-living emergency – millions of people up and down the country are facing spiralling living costs whilst their wages are being held down.
Join us for our event on how the crisis is impacting disabled people, including new research from the TUC on disabled people’s pay, and what working people are doing to fight back.
The event will take place on Zoom.
Chair:

Dave Allan, Co-Chair TUC Disabled Workers Committee, Unite

Speakers:

Ann Galpin, Co-Chair TUC Disabled Workers Committee, NUJ
Colleen Johnson, TUC Disabled Workers Committee, NEU

This event had originally been scheduled for 29 November, but has now been moved to 12 December.

Accessibility

Speech to text and BSL will be provided for this event.
If you have additional access needed please email aarkwright@tuc.org.uk.

PCS Virtual picket for member and supporters
2022-12-24 09:00 - 2022-12-25 09:30 | Online
Our strikes in the civil service continue over Christmas and members and supporters can show solidarity by joining virtual picket lines at 9am on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
PCS General Secretary Mark Serwotka, and John McDonnell MP will speak at the rally on 24 December and Mark, alongside other trade unionists, will speak on 25 December to bring solidarity greetings and support to our members striking over Christmas.
Whether you are on strike or wish to support the strikers and the campaign please pop in over Xmas to show your support. Everyone is welcome.
What: PCS Virtual Picket Lines
When: 9am – 9.30am on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
Where: On Zoom using the link: https://pcs.zoom.us/j/91667632157 (Meeting ID: 916 6763 2157. Dial in +44 208 080 6591)
You can also show your support by:

Signing our petition to prime minister Rishi Sunak
Donating to the strike fund
And sending solidarity messages to editor@pcs.org.uk

Event Contact

Email organising@pcs.org.uk

#Labour4PR - 2023 Campaign Launch
2023-01-10 19:00 - 20:30 | Online
Join us as we kick-off this new year of #Labour4PR campaigning.

With Labour conference fully on board with Proportional Representation, it’s time to get PR in the next manifesto.

How we can WIN AS ONE in the next general election
2023-01-12 19:00 - 20:30 | Online
Thursday 12 January 2023 7:00 p.m. Zoom event
We in GET PR DONE! are getting very tired of this situation. You may be fed up as well. The results come in from a general election. Many Conservative candidates become MPs again —- especially in safe seats — when the vote total of the centre and left candidates in numbers of constituencies may have been far greater overall.
This result is down to two things: a) our archaic First Past the Post (FPTP) voting system; b) the fact that so-called “progressive parties” fail to work together and hence Tory candidates slither into many Parliamentary seats unfairly.
The left-of-centre pressure group COMPASS has just announced a new campaign to try to tackle both problems. In about 60 constituencies, COMPASS will be working with other groups to organise a major tactical voting campaign to oust vulnerable sitting Tory MPs and candidates. Building a Commons majority among progressive parties would lead to a second goal: introducing a proportional representation (PR) voting system.
This is a goal that GET PR DONE! is happy to support. So on 12 January we’ve invited Neal Lawson, executive director of Compass, to be our guest on at a public webinar on Zoom to tell us how WIN AS ONE will work and how you can join the effort.
Neal will be interviewed by Katie Neame who is a senior reporter with Labour List, an online publication that reports Labour Party news 24/7.
When the interview is over there will be plenty of time for your questions. No one is suggesting WIN AS ONE will be plain sailing.
This will be Neal’s second visit to a GET PR DONE! His first session in August 2021 was one of the best 20-odd webinars we’ve put on and so we are most looking forward to his return.
Please RSVP via the website below for the zoom link
