The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) became the first national union to officially call for a TUC lead 24 hour general strike against the cuts when delegates at its Southport conference voted through a composite on the struggle against the government's 'austerity' attacks. Conference rejected calls that the 24 strike demand was a 'step too far' which would not gain supportas delegates drew inspiration from the massive March 26th protest. Unfortunatly an amendmend from Book branch would would have clarified some key points in the composite was defeated after an SWP member spoke against it. This was surprising given that the amendment sought to explain that "... the crisis was caused by the failure of the market and capitalist system which cannot provide a decent standard of living for workers" and that "...we need to campaign to change to a system based on need not greed, to provide a decent future for workers in Britain and internationally." However, despite opposition from some left groups the amendment did get a reasonable vote and its defeat should not detract from the importance of the passing of the main composite.

The delegate meeting (DM) also passed a number of other important left resolutions, including a commitment to fight all anti-trade union laws both past and future! The only setbacks were the decision to not return to having annual conferences yet and a vote against opposing the bombing of Libya, which shows the liberal illussions (yet again) in the West's action.

This delegate meeting will be the last to be held under the leadership of Jeremy Dear who has chosen not to stand again as General Secretary. However, Current Deputy GS Michelle Stanistreet has been elected unapposed to take his place. The key coming struggle will now be to ensure that a left-winger is again elected as deputy GS to fill the position being vacated by Michelle in July. The next DM will be held in Newcastle in late 2012.