Whatever your ideological opposition to the British political system, not using the tools that everyone else is using is a bit like trying to organise a demonstration without using 'corporate' social media. Self defeating.

I'm not saying that mass anarchists and insurrectionary anarchists should start standing for parliament. I am saying that we should vote, encourage others to vote, and join a party. In that party, our ideas will also be talked about, tested, amended and adopted by others in a mass working class movement. This alone should be reason enough for any anarchist serious about making revolutionary change.

A Left Unity party is already being set up. In London. By middle class intellectuals, defeated unions, and 'Old Left' political groups. And the Labour Party. At some point a Bristol branch will appear. It will be immediately dominated by old men from the Old Left who will expect the young bucks to do street theatre and get arrested at demos while they write the rules, impose the order, and make the same strategic mistakes they have been making for the last 40 years.

It doesn't have to be this way. Occupy, anti-fascism, direct actions, demonstrations, uprisings, football tournaments, bookfairs, bookshops, social centres, squats – pound for pound, per capita, Bristol anarchists have shown they have nothing to learn from London, or the Old Left, when it comes to organising in the interests of the 99%.

Hundreds of leaflets handed out and for the most part well received on demo protesting against workfare in the shopping centre of Bristol last Saturday. Protest stopped outside the Post Office in the Galleries to show solidarity with postal staff who are to strike over Easter in dispute over closures, jobs and pay.

The manager in Poundland did no like the idea of a photographer taking a picture of a staff member destroying a banner and grabbing a phone from a demonstrator but to make up for that when the demo went inside the Marriott Hotel all they seemed worried about was a loud hailer disturbing a wedding party upstairs - lets hope it gave them something to think about!

Boycotting Primark

As the government (and 'opposition') vote through new legislation to help the beligured workfare scheme after it was ruled illegal in the high court, Boycott Workfare inspired protests are taking place across the country.  Online campaigning against a different target is taking place each day (see boycottworkfare.org for more info), and street protests are planned throughout the week.

In Bristol the Anarchist Federation & Solidarity Federation have called for a rolling picket this Saturday meeting 2pm at the castle park bandstand. We plan to hold accountable those companies who profit from the forced labour of benefit claimants. Previous pickets, demonstrations and occupations have led to companies such as Holland & Barratt and Tesco pulling out of the scheme, if enough companies drop out the scheme will be unworkable!

Not wanting to missout on the fun Bath Anarchists (BARF) are joining in with a picket outside the (newly opened) westgate street poundland at 3.30pm on Friday.

If you can't wait 'till the weekend to express your rage against workfare come to the art room at Kebele (14 robertson road) at 7pm on Thursday where we will be making banners, painting placards, and thinking up last minute schemes for the demos ahead!

Facebook Event for Bristol:https://www.facebook.com/events/343005925817975/

Facebook Event for Bath: https://www.facebook.com/events/118006825055652/