Welcome to the latest South Birmingham Momentum newsletter, full of exciting events for you to attend and ways to support the group fight the good fight. This week’s addition is a bumper one.
Before you start reading I’d like to draw your attention to this in the Birmingham Mail……..Proof that our fame grows and grows……….. And if you’re reading this newsletter and haven’t joined the Labour Party, then please do so. And if you have and haven’t got involved yet, please do!
Copeland and Stoke by-elections
It probably hasn’t escaped your attention that the Copeland and Stoke-on-Trent by-elections are both going to take place on Thursday 23rd February. It is critical that we throw our energy into campaigning for two Labour victories. Local Momentum activists have already been on the doorstep in Copeland and Stoke and national Momentum are currently planning the best way for Momentum members nationally to support these campaigns – from pop up phone-banks to coaches and carpools. Register here if you’re interested in volunteering in the coming month. You can find details of the Labour campaign offices here for Copeland and here for Stoke.
West Midlands Labour are also organising plenty of activity in the Stoke Central constituency and any help would be very much appreciated: meeting Monday to Saturday at 10am, 2pm and 5pm, and Sunday 10am and 2pm, at the GMB building (the old CATU building) for campaigning across the constituency. The address is Garth Street, Hanley, ST1 2AB and there’s a free car park opposite the office. For more details, click here. If you’d like to deliver the latest leaflet, or help another way, please let them know here.
It’s absolutely imperative that Labour wins these two by-elections so if there is any support you can offer either campaigns it could make a huge difference. If you can call in advance and let them know a) if you’re coming and what you’d prefer to do b) if you have a car that seems to be very helpful!
Momentum branches in the West Midlands are co-ordinating efforts for a big turnout on 18th/19th in particular- get in touch with Steve Price on thecomradep@gmail.com for details of activities, accommodation and a rather interesting sounding social on 18th!
Momentum Votes
Nominations have now closed for elections to the National Coordinating Group (NCG), Momentum’s highest governing body.
Following an online poll of our branch we have decided to endorse one of members, Sam Poulson, who is seeking election to the NCG and we will be promoting his candidacy on social media. He would be an excellent representative for Birmingham on the organisation’s leading body so please consider voting for him. Keep an eye on our social media for more information over the coming couple of weeks!
Right 2 Work planning meeting, 7th Feb
The next planning of the Right 2 Work campaign is Tuesday 7th Feb at the Mac in Cannon Hill Park: 6:30-8pm. This is an extremely important issue to MSB and we think that providing solidarity and support to migrant workers is a crucial issue in the current climate, especially after the Brexit vote. Please come along if you can and help co-ordinate the forthcoming activities.
Stalls Committee meeting, 8th Feb
Our stalls co-ordinator Chris Kuriata has organised a stalls committee meeting for this Wednesday. 10am at Loco Lounge (32/34 High Street Kings Heath, B14 7JT). All welcome and there will be lots of things to get involved in!
Screening of “We are the many”, 9th Feb
The film is the the story of the biggest demonstration in human history, which took place on 15th February 2003, against the impending war on Iraq. Thursday the 9th Feb, 7-10 pm at the Irish Centre. More details here.
Screening of ‘I, Daniel Blake’, Friday 10th Feb
Kopfkino & Stirchley Baths present a community screening of I, Daniel Blake. It’s free (With suggested donation £5) Stirchley Baths at 7:30pm on Friday 10th Feb. You can book tickets here. It’ll be a great, thought-provoking night on so many different levels.
Save Stirchley Library meeting and gym demo, 11th Feb.
The next meeting of the Save Stirchley Library campaign is on Saturday 11th February, Stirchley Community Church at 10:30. Also, at midday there is a demonstration outside the Fitness First gym to protest at the closure of the gym and pool and the likely replacement with a supermarket.
Next Friends of the Library of Birmingham Planning meeting, 13th Feb
FOLOB’s next planning meeting will be held at 5.30 p.m. on Monday 13 February in the UNISON office,19th Floor, McLaren Building, 46 Priory Queensway, Birmingham B4 7LF. These meetings are open to all, so do come if you’re interested in getting involved and helping the campaigns to protect local library services.
‘SaveourSupport’ demo, 14th Feb
The Government has already cut £590 million per year to Birmingham. That is £530 per person per year. More cuts are to come. The budget to be set on February 28th asks councillors to vote for cuts to services for our most vulnerable people, including homeless families, those with disabilities such as mental health and learning disabilities, young people at risk, and women and children suffering domestic violence. SOS are organising a demonstration in Victoria Square on Tuesday 14th February between 3 and 4.30pm.
Edgbaston Sub-Group public meeting on the NHS and STPs, 22nd Feb.
South Birmingham Momentum supporters in Edgbaston have organised a public meeting in collaboration with Keep Our NHS Public Birmingham on Wednesday the 22nd. It will be at 7:00 at the Quinborne Centre Ridgacre Road, Quinton, Birmingham, B32 2TW. The theme is “The NHS crisis and STPs – how should Labour respond?” and speakers include Caroline Molloy, a well-known campaigner on NHS issues and something of an expert on them, so it will be well worth going along!
Explore your Political Pathway: Birmingham, 1st March
The Parliament Project is an initiative to increase the number of women in Parliament and they have an event on the 1st March at the Council House.
From the Blurb:
“Women, have you considered getting involved in politics but not quite been able to take the plunge? Do you need more information but don’t know where to get it? Or do you worry you don’t have the skills but you still want to make a difference?
Come along to our first Birmingham workshop from The Parliament Project, an initiative to increase the numbers of women in political office, as we help women explore their political pathway.”
REEL NEWS Videos and Activism workshop and film evening at Izons, Thurs 2nd March
Infamous Community Arts and Banner Theatre present Video and Activism by REEL NEWS, a free event run at Izons (West Bromwich) on Thursday 2 March 17: Campaigns and struggles for social justice, here and abroad, which are not only fighting back, but winning too!
- Workshop 2pm-5pm (booking necessary)
- Film/Q&A evening 7pm-9pm
More details about booking in one of the flyers I have attached to the email you received the newsletter with.
Women’s meeting, 2nd March
Some of our women members have organised a further get-together on Thursday the 2nd March at Loco Lounge (32/34 High Street Kings Heath, B14 7JT) at 7pm. It’s very much a social event rather than a decision-making gathering – all welcome! The last one was a very big success and I’m sure the group will go from strength to strength.
‘Our NHS’ demonstration: 4th March
Our NHS is at breaking point. With a backdrop of continued cuts and closures, private companies seek to gain even more of a foothold within the NHS. Theresa May’s demands for yet more austerity in the NHS represent a real risk to the safety of patients and the service. The Government’s latest wheeze, Sustainability and Transformation Plans (STPs) are in reality just a smokescreen for further cuts and privatization. A coalition of organisations have organised a demonstration on the 4th March and MSB are organising a coach. If you would like to go can you please email Nicky Brennan at nicky151289@gmail.com or Chris Kuriata at Chriskuriata@live.co.uk
Edgbaston constituency dates for your diary
- Edgbaston CLP street stall, Harborne High Street, 10am-12noon, outside WHSmith.
- Quinton ward Labour meeting: Weds 15th Feb, 7:15pm Quinborne Centre, Ridgacre Road, Quinton.
- Edgbaston South Birmingham Momentum sub-group public meeting on the NHS and STPs: 22nd Feb (full details above)
Hall Green constituency dates for your diary
- Delivery of Sion Simon mayoral leaflets: meeting 1030 am at junction of Pitmaston Road / Wellfield Road – B28 9PP Thursday 9th Feb.
- Moseley and Kings Heath Labour Party ward meeting Branch: 7:30 pm on Thursday 9 February 2017 at Moseley Community Development Trust, (Moseley Post Office), Moseley Village, Alcester Road B13 8JP. Discussions will include the Birmingham Board freeze date and a discussion on the Kings Heath Schools Multi-Academy Trust Proposal.
Selly Oak constituency dates for your diary
Nothing to report this week but keep an eye out for updates in future editions!
Northfield constituency dates for your diary
- 8th February, 7.30pm, Momentum South Birmingham Northfield sub-group meeting, Black Horse, Bristol Road South (upstairs conference room)
South Birmingham Momentum T-Shirts
Not before time in my view, wear it with pride: MSB t-shirts are going to be ordered: £10 red with South Birmingham Momentum on it. If people would like one email nicky151289@gmail.com
MSB stalls committee – volunteers needed
Our stalls co-ordinator, Chris Kuriata, is on the lookout for people to join the group’s stalls committee. Stalls have been a crucial way that we have got our ideas across. You might even get your picture taken with John McDonnell! Email Chris: Chriskuriata@live.co.uk
MSB social media classes
Nicky Brennan, one of our social media managers, is interested in running some classes if you are uninitiated in Facebook and Twitter etc. and want to learn more about how to make best use of them – they are crucial part of modern political campaigning and you are never too old to learn something new! If you’re interested get in touch with Nicky: nicky151289@gmail.com
Statement on the Birmingham Board
Momentum South Birmingham have produced a statement in opposition to the recent Birmingham Board of the Labour Party decision to restrict eligible voters in the selection of council candidates next year. Opposition to this mystifying and self-defeating move is growing across the city’s CLPs – in the area we cover resolutions calling for it to be reversed have been passed in at least one ward in each constituency and in some cases rather more than that! You can read the statement here – please share with all of your contacts as we believe this is a big issue – and please raise in your local Labour Party.
Ward and CLP meetings
If you want the group to publicise upcoming local Labour Party activities and branch and CLP meetings to encourage attendance, please let us know either by emailing me direct or the group account below; our wonderful social media managers Kate, Lucy, Nicky and Sam will do the rest!
https://www.facebook.com/momentumbirminghamsouth/
https://momentumbham.wordpress.com/
https://twitter.com/@MomentumSBham/
Momentum Birmingham 