The annual conference of Communist Students is our highest decision-making body and the only one which can change our platform and constitution. The executive have set the date of April 26th (Sunday) for this year’s conference, which will be in London. Exact time and place will be confirmed nearer the date. The provisional agenda drafted by the outgoing executive is below. This year’s conference promises to feature lively debate over the future of CS and it’s tasks in the year ahead. It is open to observers or you can join CS on the day and participate fully.

Our conferences are not like the usual affairs of the Left, where members are talked down to by top-table full timers and any disagreement with the leadership is characterised as ‘sectarianism’ and hushed. This patronising approach, justified in the name of unity, can in fact only create splits. Differences are natural, and CS encourages a culture of open debate, minorities being allowed to freely publish and to become the majority. This is the only way to ensure that political lines do not descend into dessicated dogma- and the only way, in fact, of creating socialism. We are for participatory democracy in every sphere of life, not rule by a benevolent state. Individual and collective freedom. Therefore, our class must train itself in debate and educate itself to take over the running of society.

Deadline for motions: April 15

Amendments: April 24

Morning session: Presentations and discussions

The crisis of capitalism and the tasks of Communist Students

Gaza and the occupations

Organising school students

Marxism and the education we need

Afternoon session – Motions. Some ideas that have been floated thus far;

Marxist Centres – CS Exec

CS Education programme – CS Sheffield

‘Student and youth movement’ clarification – CS Manchester

CS Membership criteria and commitment – David Sabbagh

Animal Rights – Cat Rylance

New Executive – Nominations remain open during conference.

Submissions so far:

John Jo Sidwell – CS London

Callum Williamson – CS Portsmouth

Cat Rylance – CS Manchester

Chris Strafford – CS Manchester

Dave Isaacson – CS London

Ben Lewis – CS London

David Sabbagh – CS Sheffield

Dani Thomas – CS Cardiff

Closing speech