Minutes:

Communist Students Executive Meeting, 14/01/2007, Central London
Present: James, Tina, David, Jamie, Ben
Also present (as observers – David M and Sachin S)
Jamie chaired and Ben/Tina collectively took minutes

Agenda:
1. Review of minutes from the last exec meeting
2. Review of the SYN Conference
3. Jim P and the executive
4. Website
5. NUS Conference/NUS Women’s Conference
6. Iran Campaign
7. Education Programme
8. Work on the campuses, meetings
9. Next Communist Student
10. Finance
11. Communist Student University
12. Next meeting

1. Review of minutes of the last exec meeting in December. All fine, but with three points:

Jim Padmore has decided not to take up his position on the executive (see point 4 below) The section on “Division of Labour outside the executive” hasn’t been effectively carried out. Ben Lewis accepted responsibility for this and will chase up comrades ASAP. The idea of Emily sending out a weekly bulletin around what CS is doing is a very good idea and must be taken seriously. Also we must ensure that we split up comrades to monitor e-lists, catch up with developments, and forward interesting things to the Comm_Stu list. o David M is taking up the task of making a banner this week. He has some ideas for a design and how to make it which he will share with the list for comments and ideas.

2. Review of the Socialist Youth Network Conference on 13/01/2006

· Generally agreed that the intervention was a good one and that we put forward some principled ideas on open borders, socialisation not nationalisation and Iraq that were passed.
· Unfortunately, our motion on Iran was dealt with last and there was no time for a real debate on it. After James had proposed it and Owen Jones spoke against it the motion was put straight to vote, unfortunately not allowing us to put straight some of the falsities that Owen was spreading about the only reference to HOPI being on the CPGB website (a HOPI web site has been up for a few days!) The motion we put forward was passed, but with certain amendments which we feel tend to downplay the struggle that is going on against the Iranian regime. A more in-depth report of this will follow.

· Ben said he was disappointed with the AWL intervention which was somewhat subdued, despite them having considerable numbers. They apparently didn’t want to “dominate” proceedings, but Ben made the point that this is surely what an intervention should be looking to do – i.e. fight for what you think is correct.

· Tina also highlighted that for all the references to “other groups” in the shenanigans leading up to the conference, a clear majority of the people involved were, indeed, members of “Other groups/parties” i.e. CS, AWL, Socialist Action, Socialist Appeal etc
· Interestingly, Tony Benn also referred to his “favourite paper” on the left as the Weekly Worker, although in a “it’s good gossip” way. This will also make the report that will be up on the CS website and in the paper ASAP

· In terms of what Owen was saying to us at conference, he was still adamant that it was slightly “mad” to refer to the process of him imposing extremely tight conditions on membership as a “witch-hunt” and that it was eventually us who “backed down” and that we should apologise. Naturally, this isn’t the case and will all be in the report

· Weekly Worker report of the conference
· Dave I to do main report
· Dave I to do a little box with Tony Benn’s quote
· Ben would write a box on the AWL’s intervention
· Ben to briefly interview SYN co-chair Marsha-Jane
· James to do a rather more “light-hearted” piece on the left present to wrap it all up.
· The report for Communist Student newspaper will be based on this report (shorter, updated version)

3. Jim Padmore and the executive now

Some concern was raised about Jim not taking up his post on the CS executive. James said it was a shame and that if Jim really was passionate about fighting in CS for what he believes are the right politics then he would use his position as an executive member to do this. Comrades agreed with this. David M also highlighted how it would leave the exec in a slightly strange position. Not only was Jim elected by conference, one of the reasons that this happened was that conference felt it would be good if CPGB members of the executive (Ben, Tina and Dave) were not in a majority. This clearly isn’t the case any more.

It was therefore agreed that:
Tina would consult the Comm-Stu list about any non-CPGB member who would be willing to replace Jim to put themselves forward. Naturally, she said, the formal way of doing this would be through a national conference, but this would be problematic and time-consuming. Co-opting a comrade would be the more realistic option for now. James is to draft up a Weekly Worker letter to Jim, which the executive will read, amend and then collectively sign. This should also go on the website.

4. Website

One of the longest pieces of the (3 hour) meeting. Sachin gave a little report and said he was keen to put more material up ASAP. Generally agreed that the website is good but needs more material.

James: The idea of an executive blog would be a good one, where executive members could easily update the site to keep it fresh. Naturally, a space for people to comment and/or debate on the posts would also be a good thing. Comrades agreed on this.

Tina: good idea for the executive to have quick access to the site in order to update it (Wiki or something like that)

Also discussed was the idea of a Forum for the site. Although this would be a good idea and would allow for us to exchange ideas easily, such a forum is hard to maintain and must be regularly monitored (I.E. Marsha-Jane of the SYN was telling us in the pub that unless it is monitored ever day then it simply becomes full of porn!).

Having said that, if any comrades do feel this is a good idea and would be willing to take it on, then this could be done. Point was also made that all comrades need to write more, not only for CS but also for the site. We still have no reply to Jim’s piece on fascism and our site is a little “bare” at the moment. It must be stressed that, even if comrades simply write small little clippings of a particularly interesting (or in the same way, an utterly mundane!) meeting, this can contribute to our website. We still have unpublished articles by comrades on the questions of sex and drugs (who will do rock and roll?) and also could re-produce some of the stuff in Laurie’s “Sheffield Freedom” zine.

Ben: Need a “links” section. This is not only to add more meat to the site, but also to get us into dialogue (in some ways similar to what Jim Padmore was saying) with other left groups. I.E. We link to you if you link to us – a POLITICAL move.

It was agreed:
Sachin to draw up a letter and get in touch with other left groups for this. Sachin to set up ‘executive blog’ on which people can comment/reply (rather than having a full-scale message board for the time being)
Sachin to give the HOPI campaign as much prominence on the site as possible and put up links to all supporting organisations (incl. Iran Bulletin etc) Tina is to take care of getting a statistics programme for the site to see how many people are accessing us etc
Sachin to expand the “contacts” section to include: the North, the South, Midlands, South West, London, Sheffield and South Yorkshire, Leeds and West Yorkshire, Greater Manchester and Wales.
Dave to contact the relevant comrades and Tina to set up the relevant e-mail addresses.

5. NUS Conference (27th-29th March 2007)

Dave said it would be too late for motions but we could put in an amendment on Iran which can effectively be put forward like a motion.
Dave to draft something up, similar to the motion we put forward to SYN. All comrades should attempt to get this motion through their Union Council bodies. These are usually dominated by right-wing bureaucrats, but sometimes get through purely on the basis that such people do not want to kick up a fuss. So get to the meetings comrades!
All comrades should stand at their universities as Communist Student candidates for NUS elections. Obviously, the more delegates we get the better.

It was agreed that CS should also organise a fringe meeting at conference – maybe with some outside speakers. It was agreed that Jamie would book a room ASAP, probably for the penultimate day of conference. Apparently Mark Fischer has already booked a stall but Tina will check.

There was discussion of producing a daily A4 bulletin to look at the debates in conference and provide cutting commentary on events. Although this was held to be a good idea, Tina and Ben held reservations about our ability to intervene properly with a sufficient grasp of the ins- and outs of the NUS conference and the key forces involved. Dave was however more optimistic, and therefore it was agreed:
- that we should decide this at another time.
- We also came to the conclusion that, with sufficient financial resources, it would be a good idea to issue a free copy of Communist Student (effectively CS number 3) at the conference

Women’s Conference: 13th-15th March 2007

NUS Women’s Conference: Dave said this is usually a lot more radical, and therefore can be a lot more interesting. Delegate status is only offered to women. Tina is to rally female CS comrades for an intervention here.

6. Iran Campaign

Again, this was the subject of a long discussion. Naturally, given our prioritisation of it. Ben to take on most responsibility in trying to organise our intervention/impact.

Ben to contact HOPI comrades to start setting up meetings on campus across the country, asking them for their contacts and combining them effectively with ours across the U.K Idea of twinning up with a student group in Iran Also, Ben to ask about the numerous left student groups/Iranian-wide campaigns springing up in Iran to try and interview these groups, link up with them, give them practical/political solidarity, etc. What would be brilliant would be to organise a speaker from Iran to tour UK universities.

David M to contact family members at universities to try and find out as much as possible. Jamie highlighted how at the CS conference we were promised some sort of “fact sheet” and political notes on Iran but haven’t seen it. Ben is to chase this up and immediately put this up on the website for people to read.

ENS has pledged to get the re-arrested MANSOUR OSSANLOO, leader of the recent Tehran bus strike, elected as honorary vice-president of the NUS. Dave said that the SWP/Respect will of course paint this as an example of the AWL’s first-campism, and while the AWL certainly suffer from that political orientation, we should also pledge our ‘third camp’ support for this. Comrades agreed with this, and also said we should look out for a prominent Iranian student leader, who has mysteriously “gone missing” recently.

Proposed that comrades can print out copies of the HOPI statement to distribute on campus, as well as organising meetings etc. Tina to design statement as a nice leaflet Also we should get in touch with sympathetic academics and lecturers in British Universities to help build the campaign. Unsurprisingly under contemporary society, lecturers actually make up a huge part of the left and we have many contacts. Ben will chase some of these up ASAP.

Sachin: We should also look, as contacts with Iran get closer, for jointly co-ordinated actions with Iranian students: ie, when there is a demo in Iran, we could organise a simultaneous action in Britain.

Also discussed was a sort of a publicity stunt at NUS conference by which we could draw some media attention to the campaign. Again though, this would have to be discussed more thoroughly and properly co-ordinated.

7. Education Programme:

Ben: Local CS cells should be fairly autonomous in how they shape their programmes of study – in Sheffield for example it looks like the group will focus on the question of PROGRAMME.

Tina: Fine but we do need some materials that comrades, especially those who are more isolated, can draw upon and use as they see fit.

James Turley to gather information and articles on the Iranian Revolution, and combine them with “fact sheet” to draw up some sort of prospectus, in part based on suggestions made by David I.

8. Work on the campuses/meetings

Proposed that comrades look to set up stalls etc for “re-freshers’ fairs” where they exist. Also, meetings should be set up on Iran and regular meetings held on the question of studying, where possible. Again, if anybody wishes to do this then get in touch with Ben.
9. Next Communist Student

Deadline for articles: 28/01/07 – publication should be brought out with the STWC demo on the 24th February in mind.

Proposed articles:

Fascism and the BNP (as an counter-article to Jim’s article): (Ben)
Interview with Yassamine Mather or (better) a student from Iran – Ben to contact Yassamine, and then somebody else to do the interview (possibly Tina)
What is the third camp? (Sachin)
Stripping, sex-work and the rights of women (in light of the recent scandal) – James Turley
Socialist Youth Network: mini-report and update (Tina or Dave to edit)
Small box: become a delegate to NUS conference!
Tina to ask Emily if there is an update on the situation in Manchester (ruling coalition of Respect and Islamic Society)
Any other ideas?

David M suggested that we mark ourselves out from the rest of the student left publications and feature some letters and comments on the last issue of CS and/or anything in general. Although Ben raised concerns about space, it was agreed that this is a good idea and that if letters are too short they can simply have “to be continued” on the website etc.

10. Finance

Jamie gave a quick introduction. We still have the money from conference but need to start thinking about fund-raising. To this end it was agreed:

Jamie to put up a “donate” button linked to a CS Paypal account, which he will set up ASAP. This can be used on the website and any email bulletins we send out Jamie to send Tina details of bank account so that she can design a standing order form, which will be uploaded on website

Jamie to email comrades to set up standing orders to our account. If comrades could just give the equivalent of 2 pints a month (London prices of course!) this would help keep our organisation on its feet and strengthen our autonomy)

Jamie also raised the point that we will be looking to have some sort of CS social, following on from certain debates, which could raise money by charging for a ticket and selling beer etc. Tina warned that experience has taught her that socials can actually make losses, but she was re-assured that we could put on an event sufficiently big enough to make a lot of money. Jamie has suggested an evening of “political hip-hop” at our pad etc – we will keep you informed comrades.

If we could organise a speakers tour with an Iranian comrade, this could open up a lot more possibilities: We should get in touch with a comrade in Nottingham who has a lot of experience with putting on gigs etc.

Debated whether we should charge for the next issue. Tina estimated that it costs around £300 to produce 1000 4-page publications, which is a lot.

On this note, if comrades would like to order some copies to distribute amongst halls, campus etc. please write to tina@cpgb.org.uk

11. Communist Student University

Ben – At some point before Easter a “Communist University North” is planned, where we have a weekend of debates and lectures. This could be co-sponsored by Communist Students, together with the CPGB and HOPI, to draw as many people to it as possible. Obviously topics that could be discussed are: Iran, imperialism and war, student politics (Dave suggested a debate between Permanent Revolution, CS and Education Not for Sale on “Marxist Student Organisation” etc).

Also, we could do a fund-raising social for the HOPI campaign and Communist Students. Sachin said this could even serve as an official “launch” for the HOPI campaign.

Comrades found these suggestions to be positive, and a provisional suggested date, despite being close after the NUS conference, was the 7th/8th of April.

It was agreed that Sheffield comrades to take a lead in organising the event

12. Next meeting

It was agreed that we should try to combine with the February 24 anti-war demonstration in London. So, either on Feb 24 or Feb 25 in London. Again, this as other exec meetings is of course open to observers.