Firstly, on the cleaner’s strike across London. I got this today:

The second round of strikes are about to come to an end. They have been well-supported across the London Underground network.

Feminist Fightback carried out a second solidarity action this morning, once against protesting outside the Transport for London HQ in St James Park, which looks set to get significant press attention for the strike. Reports and pictures soon.

RMT activists are now deciding where to take the disupte next; we will keep you updated.
Meanwhile, two events:

1. There will be a meeting in solidarity with the cleaners organised by the Labour Representation Committee at 6pm, on Tuesday 8 July, at Portcullis House, by Westminster tube – featuring a number of trade union speakers. For details see http://www.l-r-c.org.uk

2. Cleaners and other RMT activists will be speaking at Ideas for Freedom, a weekend of socialist discussion and debate organised by Workers’ Liberty, on Sunday 13 July. (The whole event runs from the evening of Friday 11 July to the afternoon of the 13th.) For details and the agenda see
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=32921805353
To book online go to http://www.workersliberty.org/ideas

I don’t classify myself as a socialist but this strike is worth supporting.

On the David Davis by-election, I can’t see this mentioned anywhere else:

On 9th July David Davis is holding a big discussion event in Haltemprice & Howden which will feature himself, Shami Chakrabarti (Liberty), Rachel North (blogger, writer) and the Labour MP Bob Marshall Andrews. All three have been supportive of Davis, as you may recall.

Wednesday 9 July, commencing 1pm.

Meanwhile, the Green party candidate Shan Oakes is curious why David Davis isn’t up for more of a discussion:

We turned up at the school and were kept out. First we were refused entrance to the site, then, after great debate with the Head, we were allowed into a side room with the promise that we could meet the young people after the Tory meeting. Chris Abbott, the head teacher, was very helpful, but had little control over arrangements for the ‘private hire’ of a room in the school premises. We were horrified at the high degree of police presence and the fact that our promised discussion with the young people had been hijacked and turned into a one party PR event for the Tories with no opportunity for legitimate debate.

I tried to tackle the Dave Duo on this when they came out of the building (a friendly journalist had lent me a mike), but they had clearly been made aware of my intention and dived into their car (whilst a policeman held me back) as if they were in some sort of danger. Obviously even they realise they have a lot to hide. So much for civil liberties!

About the author
Sunny Hundal is editor of LC. Also: on Twitter, at Pickled Politics and Guardian CIF.
· Other posts by Sunny Hundal

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