John McDonnell started his speech by talking about the recent scandal of MP’s expenses and said we should all be very angry. He went on to say that the solution wasn’t just sacking a few MPs. The crisis is systemic, the Political crisis and the economic crisis are not isolated they are two sides of a corrupt undemocratic system. An unequal system where the rich pay less tax than their cleaners. Former ministers are awarded contracts with big businesses within months of standing down as ministers and are then employed as consultants with those companies.

We shouldn’t lose site of the morality that is at stake in government today and we should be angry at the immoral wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, be angry at the expenditure of tax payers money on their extravagant lifestyle, by angry at the expenditure on Tridant when children and pensioners are still living in poverty, be angry at plans such as airport expansion, be angry at the expenditure on second homes and be angry that after 12 years of labour government they still haven’t housed the 80,000 homeless families that we have in our country.

He went on to say we should not waste that anger and that we should link up with others that are angry and challenge the anger into a demand for change. Not just a new parliament but a new society with rights at home, a clean environment, medical treatment and community rights. We should have a continual say on our rights and not just every 4 years at the ballot box. We should own and control our own public services and we should bring back democracy. The crisis will be exploited by the Tories and the fascists and the economic crisis will be paid for by us and not them. We need new voices and change will come through the people and PCS not through parliament. The people at the sharp end should be the ones who decide the future of our society, it may mean we have to take it to the streets and the picket line and call other unions to unite with us in solidarity for a new society.

The full speech can be viewed below 15 mins 57 secs

Fathi spoke about trade union solidarity and the global crisis. He explained how Palestine were requesting self government but the new prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu was denying the opportunity even to talk.

“He is trying to force Palestinians to leave the country and talks of a new Jewish state,” said Fathi, who told of 60% levels of unemployment in Gaza and the apartheid wall. “There are 600 checkpoints and families are separated from each other.”

He explained that the Jews would have to move but they would not be able to rebuild because Israel refuses the movement of building materials into Palestine and that families have been split due to the apartheid wall. He concluded by thanking the conference for their hospitality and wished the PCS success in its activities.

Hana’s speech was very moving and had a profound effect on everyone I spoke to. She is a project officer in the women’s department of the PGFTU and she explained the unique difficulties of women living under occupation. She gave a very moving account of how she felt when she arrived in Brighton. After seeing the sea for the first time since she was 15 she wanted to run to the sea and take it in her arms, enjoy the scent and take it home to her children, who have only dreamed about the sea. As a Palestinian in the West Bank they do not have the freedom to see it. She concluded her speech with the following message:

Dear friends I will return to Palestine with the message, your message. The message of the people who think globally, the message of the people who act lovingly. So thank you once again for your solidarity, for making our lives more bearable, for raising our spirits. Long live solidarity between nations and citizens.

Following the speeches from the guest speakers, a lively debate ensued regarding a motion that condemned Israel’s attacks on Gaza last December and asking for solidarity. Speakers spoke up on behalf of Israel and Palestine. Hugh Lanning (Deputy General Secretary) pointed out that solidarity meant “their struggle is our struggle, a worker is a worker is a worker”. We should hold solidarity to all workers around the world, no matter what country they live in.

The full speeches can be viewed below: