Reading Left Unity is one of at least 80 new local groups set up in the last few weeks around the country, as over 8,000 people signed up in response to Ken Loach’s appeal.

The idea is to create a new party of the left to challenge the existing parties, which all seem to be hooked into the multinationals and increasingly right wing policies and especially to austerity measures. Left Unity will be inclusive and democratic, and will be seeking alternative economic models to those which have clearly failed. It also aims to be a safe haven for all those on the left, whether or not they have ever joined a political party in the past. People can only join as individuals and there will only be a ‘One member one vote system’ to avoid it being taken over by factions.

Every local group will be aiming eventually to field parliamentary candidates; some may even manage to do this for the general elections in 2015!