The Trades Club is a socialist members cooperative and music venue with a long history of combining great live music with the enthusiastic support of political causes close to our hearts.
The government continues to impose harsh austerity measures that are making life ever harder for millions of people across the country. There is also undoubtedly worse to come with continued neoliberalism and the marginalisation of the left. We must stand full square against the increase in racist attacks, support the rights of all who live in this country and resist fascism wherever it raises its ugly head.
If you are as angry and concerned about the future as we are then help us do something about it. The Trades Club offers its resources and assistance in putting on political events and benefits as well as publicising them. We need you, our members, to come forward with suggestions and ideas to ensure The Trades Club plays its part in resisting austerity and xenophobia at the same time as presenting a positive socialist vision for the future.
Justice for the People of Palestine
The Trades Club are long-term supporters of the Palestinian People in their resistance to occupation and search for a just settlement. We hold regular fundraisers for organisations such as:
Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) – Working for the health and dignity of Palestinians living under occupation and as refugees.
Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) – A community of people working together for peace, equality and justice and against racism, occupation and colonisation.
Ta’ayush – Israelis & Palestinians striving together to end the Israeli occupation and to achieve full civil equality through daily non-violent direct-action.
Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions – ICAHD is a non-violent, direct-action group dedicated to ending the Israeli Occupation and achieving a just peace between Israelis and Palestinians.
The Trades Club supports the call of the Palestinian people for a campaign of Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) against the state of Israel until it complies with international law and Palestinian rights.
Action on Climate Change
The club has consistently worked to highlight the social and environmental effects of catastrophic climate change and to encourage direct action to confront the root causes.
We have hosted regular Climate Kitchen events for transition towns. We have supported the Climate Camps and Reclaim the Power actions as well as the more recent Extinction Rebellion actions and held film showings and fundraisers.
Todmorden Food Drop-in
Join us in supporting Todmorden Food Drop-In. They do a great job helping people in need in the Upper Calder Valley.
Campaigns the club has supported
Over the years, The Trades Club has put its name and collective weight behind a number of high-profile campaigns that align to the club’s socialist ethos.
Don’t Pay
A campaign demanding a reduction in energy bills to an affordable level. The aim is to gather a million people to pledge not to pay if the government goes ahead with another massive hike.
Mass non-payment is not a new idea. It happened in the UK in the late 80s and 90s when more than 17 million people refused to pay the Poll Tax, helping bring down the government and reversing its harshest measures. Even if a fraction of those paying by direct debit stop payments, it will be enough to put energy companies in serious trouble – and they know this. Don’t Pay intends to bring them to the table and force them to end the crisis.
Enough Is Enough
“Fair pay, affordable bills, enough to eat and a decent place to live. These aren’t luxuries – they are your rights!”
Enough is Enough is a campaign to fight the cost of living crisis. We were founded by trade unions and community organisations determined to push back against the misery forced on millions by rising bills, low wages, food poverty and shoddy housing – and a society run only for a wealthy elite. The organisation’s five demands are clear: 1. A real pay rise 2. Slash energy bills 3. End food poverty 4. Decent homes for all 5. Tax the rich.
COP26 2021
In 2021, a coach was booked to take local campaigners to the 26th United Nations Climate Change conference, held at the SEC Centre in Glasgow.
We Shall Overcome
We Shall Overcome is a movement of musicians, artists and community organisers who are angry about the human costs of austerity policies and who want to do something practical to help those affected.
The Trades Club has supported We Shall Overcome since it’s beginnings in 2015, raising thousands of pounds for Todmorden Food Drop-in, BIASAN (Bradford Immigration and Asylum Seekers Support and Advice Network) and other grassroots solidarity groups.
Frack-Free World
The Trades Club has put on a number of events to support, inform and raise funds for local, national and international campaigns against fracking, including direct action training, benefit events, film screenings and more. Visit the Reclaim The Power to find out more about the resistance to fracking.
International Brigades Memorial Trust
The International Brigade Memorial Trust keeps alive the memory and spirit of the men and women from Britain, Ireland and elsewhere who volunteered to defend democracy and fight fascism in Spain from 1936 to 1939.
In October 2016, The Trades Club marked the 80th anniversary of the Spanish Civil War with a special exhibition and commemorative night to pay tribute to the men and women who volunteered to join the International Brigade and other militia fighting Franco’s fascists.
Say No to TTIP
The Trades Club was delighted to host War on Want Executive Director, John Hilary, in 2015 when he gave a presentation on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP).
TTIP is a comprehensive free trade and investment treaty currently being negotiated by the United States and European Union which, if agreed, would give foreign corporations the power to sue elected governments over decisions that could harm future profits – such as plain packaging on cigarettes, or policies to leave fossil fuels in the ground. TTIP would also weaken regulations covering food safety, animal welfare, environmental protection, worker’s rights and financial conduct, as well as creating new markets in public services, leading to greater privatisation.
Become a Member
Are you interested in joining The Trades Club? Being a member, as well as getting discounts on event tickets and drinks at the bar, you have a say in the running of the club and can help shape its future. Find out more.