Most Wanted Nine for 2009

Last year AVPS had a go at this meme. Always keen to fill some space, these are the nine things I would most like to see over the next 12 months, however fanciful or unlikely.

1) For the rumour that Tommy Sheridan's going to end up in Celebrity Big Brother turns out to be false. The left could do without another of its "personalities" making a fool of themselves, especially now when political space for a credible socialist alternative is opening up. If Sheridan does go on, AVPS will not be rushing to justify his actions.

2) While we're on a Sheridan tip, surely 2009 will be the year the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service will decide to drag the Sheridan Seven into court. Or not. In my opinion seeing these comrades in court, regardless of the side one took in Sheridan's case against News of the World, will do nothing but damage the left in Scotland all over again. The decision for the COPFS not to prosecute on grounds of insufficient evidence is the best outcome to this very sad affair.

3) For the RMT-sponsored conference on 10th January to take concrete steps toward setting up a new workers' party (I did say fanciful was okay!)

4) The situations in Bolivia, Venezuela, Greece and Pakistan remain heavily pregnant with possibilities for socialists. The economic crisis could add more countries to this list. I hope 2009 sees these processes play out in a positive direction, which in turn will impact on the formation of class consciousness in other areas of the globe. Let our class be much stronger by the time I write my year in review 12 months hence!

5) I asked for a doubling of the Socialist Party's and CWI's membership last year. It didn't happen, but the only globally-organised Marxist tendency ;) certainly put on weight in terms of members and influence. In 2009 I would still like to see the doubling, but also for other left organisations and the trade unions to grow well too.

6) 2008 was a mixed year for the right and far right. Let 2009 be a year when the Tories, the little englanders, the fash, and reaction of all kinds exit stage right.

7) Something has to be said about leftyblogland, I guess. Looking over our community, it's good to see none of the "stalwart" bloggers have come a cropper. New blogs, more connectivity and cohesion, a growing audience, and better relationships between the left and blogs about feminism, LGBT, anti-racism, disabilities activism would be very nice indeed. And essential too.

8) Every year for nearly the last 84 years, the comrades of Coventry SP have had to fight an election campaign of some kind or another. For their sanity, could Gordon Brown do them a favour and not call a general election in 2009?

9) And last but by no means least, it's high time I finished my PhD! I hope my efforts will prove sufficient enough to have the blighter completed, bound, and ready for examination by June time.

There we have it, nine most wanted for the last of the noughties. Time to tag nine blogs who will spread the meme far and wide. So how about Leftwing Criminologist, Harpymarx, Madam Miaow, Jim Jay, Though Cowards Flinch, Stropps, Splinty, Mod, and the newest kid on the blogging block, Bones Without a Sense of Direction. If you're not named, still feel free to let your nine loose on the world!