Though Cowards Flinch

(Below is an interview with Martin Booth, a parliamentary candidate in Cambridge with the Trade Union and Socialist Coalition. I thought interviewing Martin was important as it gives some indication of what sort of people TUSC is pulling in, during the run up to this General Election. The group in Cambridge are also running a slate of council candidates for the elections).

Martin, thanks for agreeing to the interview. Online and on the doorsteps, there’s lots of interest at the moment in the political alternatives to the three main parties. You’re running for parliament in Cambridge as part of a group called Cambridge Socialists. Can you tell me a bit about yourself?

I am a local resident and health worker, having worked in the operating theatres at Addenbrooke’s Hospital since 1980. I have been an active trade unionist ever since I started work, and am currently Chair of the Cambridge Health Branch of UNISON.

And who are Cambridge Socialists, what’s the background to the group? Does it have any union backing?

Cambridge Socialists has just been formed, as an alliance of anyone in Cambridge who considers themselves socialist and is prepared to support our campaigns, whether they are members of existing organisations or whether (like myself) they are not. We are seeking backing from any unions willing to support us within their rules.

From what I gather, Cambridge Socialists have agreed to run for parliament under the aegis of the Trade Union and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) – why that particular group?

We feel is is important to join forces with others around the country mounting a socialist challenge in the elections to the main parties, all of whom are threatenjng big spending cuts after the election.

On your website, you’ve explained your opposition to the policies of this Labour government. However, the Greens are also running in Cambridge; was there anything specific which convinced you not to support a party with a pre-existing base of support in elections, that touts its left-wing credentials, and to run as an independent instead?

Whilst we can support many of the Greens’ aims, they are not a socialist, working-class-based organisation. Without a firm socialist foundation, they will not be able to realise their aims on the environment, climate change and so on. You cannot persuade capitalists to save the planet rather than their profits!

As chair of the local UNISON health branch, you have been a key part of campaigns to ‘Defend the NHS’ – such as at Brookfields Hospital and more recently with the scandal over at Hinchingbrooke Hospital. For our readers, can you explain what’s going on at Hinchingbrooke and what you think should be done?

Hinchingbrooke is the district hospital for Huntingdon, and has suffered constant financial problems for several years, mainly due to underfunding. A successful campaign was waged a couple of years ago to stop it closing, but now it faces being taken over by a private company under a ‘franchise’. The recently-formed Cambridgeshire Against the Cuts (which Cambridge Socialists was instrumental in forming) is joining forces with local activists in Huntingdon to fight to defeat this unprecedented attack on an NHS hospital.

Even aside from Hinchingbrooke, Cambridge seems to be on the front line of cuts and privatisations – and you’ve helped lead local marches opposing cuts, you’ve held petitions and stalls on Cambridge streets. Outside of elections, can you see any way to forcing Cambridgeshire County Council to hold off on the cuts they plan to make?

As mentioned above, we have led the way in forming Cambridgeshire Against the Cuts, with a successful open meeting, march and rally. CAtC is pledged to unite local service users with public sector workers in a real fight to defend services against cuts and privatisation. The election campaign is just the start!

Cambridge Socialists, in their election manifesto, have formulated a comprehensive series of national demands which, no doubt, voters will be interested in. For example, on your website you call for the use of banks in the “interests of the people” – what does that mean exactly?

It means nationalising the banks under the democratic control of the people, so that the banks serve the people and not the other way round.

One of the street stall chants Cambridge Socialists use is “Hey, ho, investment banks have got to go” – are you proposing the abolition of investment banks (rather than commercial or retail banks) altogether, or the illegalization of the financial instruments often blamed for the recent crash or something else entirely?

As mentioned above, we are for the nationalisation of the banks as an essential part of the development of a planned socialist economy. This would mean the abolition of the parasitic private investment banks which have dragged us all down into the mire in their frantic drive for profits.

You propose cutting the working week to 35 hours; what do you hope such a measure would achieve?

It would improve the quality of life for millions of workers, and free up time for more jobs to be created, especially for the young people.

Lastly, what future do you see for Cambridge Socialists? Do you think they’ll be Cambridge’s equivalent of Oxford’s Independent Working Class Association or do you see the need to establish or join a nationally-organised socialist party?

I think we have a big future as what we are, a coalition of socialist forces in and around Cambridge. We will link with any and all parties and organisations nationally which fight for the same aims as ourselves.