The Purpose of People’s Forum 

The People's Forum is inspired by the rich tradition of People’s Assemblies used in progressive movements across the world. Historically, such forums have been vital tools for democratic engagement and collective action. 

However, we are aware that we won’t solve the country’s various crises in one session. The goal of People’s Forums isn’t to fix everything, but to try something new and start building momentum by:

• Offering a space for people who are not already politically engaged to have a voice.

• Identifying enthusiastic campaigners who want to take action.

• Finding reliable volunteers to help build and strengthen future efforts.

• Inspiring new campaigns or help grow existing ones.

Above all, the forum should be an exciting space where people: 

• Enjoy themselves. 

• Feel inspired by the discussions and collective energy. 

• Leave with new ideas, connections, or ways to take action. 

This is about planting the seeds of change, sparking interest, and building a community of people who are ready to make a difference, some of whom may have previously felt or been disengaged.

Collective Power

Underneath is one common endeavour: reaching out, connecting and mobilising people to build collective power. 

Building for the future starts now. In Islington, we are planting the seeds for a new way of doing politics. 

Strengthening Democracy 

People’s Forums are monthly opportunities for residents to ask Jeremy Corbyn MP, their elected representative, to account. It will be a chance for local people to ask anything about the month gone by and give instructions for the month ahead. It is a shared, democratic space for local campaigns, trade unions, tenants’ unions, debtors’ unions and national movements to organise, together, for the kind of world we want to live in. 

Forums are an opportunity to discuss the concerns and hopes of our community. Empowering each other to do something about it. That is what real democracy looks like.

The 2024 general election did not allow for the full expression of people power, rather we saw a rejection of the political establishment, leading to a loveless landslide; this election saw the second-lowest turnout since 1918 and the smallest combined vote share for the two main parties since 1945. Public discontent with a broken political system will only grow as the government fails to make the real change that people expect.

That energy needs somewhere to go. It needs to be channelled. It needs to be mobilised. That’s why our campaign will organise with those who have been inspired by our victory to build community power in every corner of the country. 

Building a grassroots model

Once our grassroots model has been replicated elsewhere, this can be the genesis of a new movement capable of challenging the stale two-party system. A movement that offers a real alternative to child poverty, inequality and endless war. A movement that provides a real opposition to the far right – one that doesn’t concede ground to divisive rhetoric, but stands by its principles of anti-racism, equality and inclusion.

I have no doubt that this movement will eventually run in elections. However, to create a new, centralised party, based around the personality of one person, is to put the cart before the horse. Remember that only once strength is built from below can we challenge those at the top.

National Independence

Look at where other independents challenged the main parties most effectively. They built on community power to stand up for themselves and against those who had ignored their demands for peace and humanity. It’s that sort of power that needs to be built everywhere. Make no mistake: this is just the beginning. It is the beginning of a movement that can win with – and for – communities all over the country. People in power underestimate the power of people at their peril.

The brighter future we speak of is no pipe dream. Our community in Islington North is proof that a fairer world is possible. We have proved that you can challenge party machinery with a well-organised grassroots campaign. We have proved that you cannot crush dissent without consequences.