Shrewsbury Pickets, Political Policing and the State

Fantastic news last week when the "Shrewsbury 24" (including Royle family actor Ricky Tomlinson) was cleared at the Court of Appeal. I have a clash on Wednesday but hope to join this event. 

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/shrewsbury-pickets-political-policing-and-the-state-tickets-147119766181

"Online meeting to celebrate and learn from the significant victory of the 'Shrewsbury 24' in quashing their almost 50-year-old convictions.

About this Event

On Tuesday 23rd March 2021 the Court of Appeal made the following judgement in the case of our clients Ricky Tomlinson, Arthur Murray and the ‘Shrewsbury 24.’

“It follows that under Ground 1, the convictions of all the appellants are unsafe.

Their appeals are allowed and all the verdicts in relation to them are quashed.” (pt.99)

The convictions of the ‘Shrewsbury 24’ have been quashed. They are unsafe, and they walk from this court – as they have always been - innocent men.

We say they are victims of police corruption, of a political trial, and of a Conservative Government – who at the time were looking to take revenge against the trade union movement.

Join us online on Wednesday 31 March at 6.30pm to analyse and discuss the historical lessons to learn from this courageous struggle.

Speakers:

Ricky Tomlinson (Shrewsbury Picket and jailed Trade Unionist)

John McDonnell (Labour MP)

Dave Smith (Blacklist Support Group)

Piers Marquis and Annabel Timan (Doughty Street Chambers barristers)

Ricky Tomlinson slams 'Boris the buffoon' as he backs Keir Starmer for Labour leader

"Scouse legend Ricky Tomlinson has slammed 'Boris the buffoon' as he throws his weight behind Sir Keir Starmer in the Labour leadership battle.

The Royle Family star has endorsed the Shadow Brexit Secretary as he bids to replace Jeremy Corbyn as Labour leader following the party's major election defeat.

Ricky, who also starred in Brookside and comedy film Mike Bassett: England Manager, was jailed with others during the 1970s for his part in a building workers' strike at the Shrewsbury pickets.

For decades, the Shrewsbury 24 campaign has fought to clear the strikers’ names.

Since becoming an MP, Sir Keir has worked with Ricky and the Shrewsbury 24 in their fight for justice - and has now won the actor and activist’s backing.

“All the contestants are worthy people - but I’ve got to throw my weight behind Keir Starmer - and I’m going to ask you to do the same.

“We can’t make any more mistakes. We just took a terrible drubbing at the last election. We’ve got to overturn this government run by Boris the buffoon.

“So get behind me, join me, and get behind Keir Starmer for the next leader of the Labour Party.”

Hat tip Liverpool Echo 

REMINDER of West Ham CLP’s All Members’ Meeting and candidate statements  When: 1.00pm Saturday 08 February 2020  Where: Impression Events Venue, Milner Rd, London E15 3AD  https://goo.gl/maps/ET1YY7kVQhfTDnKK9 This Venue is fully accessible.

UNISON National Delegate Conference 2013 :Tuesday

Today is the start of our National Delegate Conference in ACC in Liverpool.

I understand that there are 2500 delegates and visitors present and it is one of the largest trade union gatherings in Europe.

The conference was welcomed to Liverpool by a special guest, Comedy TV personality, Ricky Tomlinson. Ricky introduced his home town as a City with two famous football teams - Liverpool FC and Liverpool FC reserves! However he made a serious point about his conviction and that of  the"Shrewsberry 24" pickets who he believes were "fitted up" during the national building workers strike in 1972. 

After the President's Address, Standing Orders Committee, Annual and Financial report, business started on a Composite motion on Employment  and Trade Union rights. 

During lunch I went to a Fringe (which I will post upon later) then business started off at 2pm with th emotion "Kick it Out - Racism has no place in football". 

Next was our General Secretary Dave Prentis (see picture) who gave his annual speech to the conference. 
Dave's main announcement was to call on the TUC to organise a mass rally and lobby of this year’s Tory party conference, in defence of the NHS.“And if they don’t, we will because we are the folk to fight for it.” He also said “We need Labour on our side. But for too long we’ve built the careers of Labour politicians, only to be let down when we’ve needed them most.”

After his speech there were important debates on Outsourcing and Privatisation; NHS campaigning and NHS and Social Care integration.  Its now 4.40pm and I'm not sure if there will be time for me to speak on the housing motion 33 next?

Update: Nope - not enough time. Conference closed. Finance Fringe next.