The following table describes the status, the proposer and other metadata of this motion.
| Consultation: | Edinburgh Greens Participatory Budget |
|---|---|
| Proposer: | Tánaiste Custance |
| Status: | Published |
| Submitted: | 17/03/2024, 22:53 |
Fundraising Ceilidh & Sex Worker Solidarity
Tell us about your project and how you will deliver it
I propose that we hold a fundraising ceilidh jointly with the Sex Workers Union for the purpose of educating and entertaining members and supporters and building connections between Edinburgh Greens, the SWU and its parent union the Bakers Union. We already have successful experience of holding a large ceilidh.
As well as being fun, this helps build strategic links with a particular community who we have excellent policies and some connections with already. This event will also help further promote our Westminster candidates. We will invite party members across Scotland including Westminster candidates, councillors and MSPs.
The Sex Workers Union last year joined the Bakers’ Union (BFAWU) and hence also the TUC and STUC. Labour won’t touch either (Bakers Union left Labour under Starmer after 119 years of affiliation). It would be a powerful signal of our growth if we were to build strong connections with a trade union.
Which of the aims of our PB trial will this help deliver and how?
All of them :)
Queer, working-class, disabled & neurodivergent, young and migrant members are more likely to have experience of sex work or know people who are sex workers. As a particularly stigmatised and marginalised group, collaborating openly with them as a party demonstrates very clearly our Green values and is likely to engage some members who would notice a visible pro-sex worker stance from the Edinburgh Greens.
Good relationships with SWU and Bakers Union are valuable to the party’s long-term growth and strategy at connecting with working-class communities. More than any other union they are most likely to affiliate to us. By demonstrating our lack of fear of their stigmatisation we will attract new members.
Our policies are to support sex workers by promoting decriminalisation of sex work. This aligns with our values of Social Justice, Participatory Democracy and Respect for Diversity. Probably more than any trade union, the SWU’s values are closely in alignment with ours.
How much money (£500 max) do you require and what will it be spent on?
Money would be used in organising the ceilidh, though money would be recouped through the event. If members decide to solely fund this project, it would be possible to offer payment to the SWU to provide an educational training on sex worker rights and how we can a party can demonstrate solidity with them. This would be an excellent way of showing committed support. On that basis, I ask for £500.
Who has been involved in developing this proposal?
I have developed this myself, but would work closely with members with experience of organising large ceilidhs, as well as Susan Rae and Maggie Chapman who have led on this issue. I would also work closely with Sex Workers United, NUMbrella Lane and SCOT-PEP in the delivery. At least one Edinburgh WM candidate would be happy to perform at this event.