RM reports back from the opening meeting of the first ‘eco-socialist’ group in the country.

Approximately 15 people gathered in Krobar, opposite University of Manchester Students’ Union on the 7th of October, to attend the first meeting of the Eco-Socialist Society being formed by Socialist Resistance (the British Section of the ‘Fourth International’) and Green Left (an eco-socialist grouping within the Green Party).

The meeting was addressed by Roy Wilkes (SR, CACCTU and a Campaign for Free Public Transport activist) and Stephen Hall, who is president of his UNITE branch, active in People Against Cuts in Wigan and a member of the Socialist Resistance National Committee.

Roy Wilkes focused on how he saw a blind spot in 20th century Marxism, that ignored environmental destruction and was imbued with productivism. He drew upon the treatment of the environment by the USSR and other such societies.
During the time set aside for discussion a member of the Revolutionary Communist Group objected to how the Soviet Union was described and challenged Roy on why he had completely ignored the “great advances Cuba has made in this regard”. Unfortunately nobody took the RCG up on their Cuba fetish or the recent developments that have taken place there. Although, discussing with the RCG after the meeting was near impossible as they appear to have a religious attitude towards Cuba.
Stephen Hall focused on how the group should orient itself toward engaging with students and involving itself in struggles. He was also encouraged the group to go out there and take part in the struggles.

Socialist Resistance and Green Left who have been working together across the country are aiming to establish groups like this based on the ‘Eco Socialist Manifesto’. Where they declare they want it to operate in “democratic, pluralist & open to all Socialist, Green, anti-capitalist and anti-imperialist students regardless of their existing membership of any other existing society, political party or group” (leaflet for the meeting).

From what was said at the meeting it seems like members of this group are interested in taking part in our educational work and we shall also seek to attend their meetings.
The arrival of new students interesting in changing the world can only be a good thing and we hope that they can involve themselves with the anti-cuts groups in Manchester and be won to the politics of Marxism.