by Ben Chacko
at Hamilton House

ACTIVISTS held workshops and “intercambio” meetings with Cuban trade unionists at the weekend’s Unions for Cuba conference to learn about Cuban trade unionism and the country’s socialist political system.

Cuba Solidarity Campaign activist Lauren Collins described the three pillars of Cuban politics as the elected assemblies (national, regional and local), mass organisations such as the trade union federation CTC and the Federation of Women and the Communist Party, which does not participate in elections.

The interaction between these three  shaped Cuban politics, she said, pointing out that policy in Cuba is decided through mass consultation which are “not like consultations in Britain where it’s over before you realised it’s happening. Everyone takes part.”