Suggestions for Work in a Centre for Socialist Education

1. It is important at the outset to be quite clear that the CSE is not intended to promote intellectual discussion groups per_ se. There is nothing wrong or useless with discussion groups, and given the antipathy towards theory that is so widespread in the British labour movement, a discussion group alongside other educational activities can be useful, But it is necessary to understand that if in any area the CSE does not progress beyond a central discussion group, it will largely have failed in its purpose. 2 The purpose of CSE, as I understand it, is to promote a grass roots movenent which will begin the long and difficult historical process of re# grouping the left in the localities. We all agree that this coming together must begin with the trade union militants and the left in the Labour Party s and in areas and towns where there has been no continuous work in the past decade ~ in the sense of a continuous meeting of the left - the business of beginning is exceedingly difficult. It cannot be too strongly emphasised that what is required is the growth of confidence between trade union nilit~ ants and other groups, and this can only develop through constant discussion and personal contacte 3e The problem is how to begin? The experience of Hull is that it has been the promotion of educational classes concerned with trade union matters that has provided the most useful contact and that out of the classes a nunber of trade unionists have come who unite a militancy in industrial matters with a political commitment to the left. There are, of course, always a number of politically minded unionists in all towns, but usually they are not in contact with eachother except perhaps on Trade Councils and it is rare that they meet to discuss wider industrial and political problems. One can either begin with an attempt to start a Labour College or a trade union class or both. The important thing is to find subjects that are of direct concern and interest to trade unionists. In Hull the largest attend= ance at the Labour College has always been on subjects such as industrial accidents and apart from matters of such general interest, discussions on problems of redundancy with special reference to local conditions would provide a useful starting point. The point being made here is that starting from scratch one will not get a response from straight political subjects but that it is necessary to evoke a sympathetic hearing by an examination of problems that are close to ordinary experience. 4. Harly on a survey of existing educational facilities, and of tutors, should be made; and some sort of co-ordination should be attempted. In the first instance one may well find that the existing facilities, suitably stiffened, if possible, camnot be added to, but the ain to work towards is a trade union class with industrial-political perspectives, . 5 Ideally, what we want is: a central Labour College, one or two regular trade union classes, a speakers class, and s growing number of trade unionists who are beginning to move beyond their immediate trade union problems and who are considering the specific problems of their own trades and occupations: so that local statements of factory problems can be written up and discussed among much wider groupse This is the way to get people on the shop floor and ultimately we want to have.sufficient numbers that a local Voice paper can be. started. In Hull this has been of the greatest importance and is the objective that all groups in fair sized towns should be aiming ate