Organisers behind a socialist party launched last year to stand for “equality and justice” are holding a public debate next week on why they believe the country needs a “new left”.

Left Unity, which claims to be socialist, feminist, environmentalist and against all forms of discrimination, was established in November.

The Hackney co-ordinator, Terry Stuart, said the idea came about after film maker Ken Loach made a speech a year ago in Hackney.

Mr Stuart said: “He was saying there was a need for a new party to take up where the Labour party no longer represent the idea of what the working class organisation was meant to to, on the basis of his discussion we came together.”

Mr Loach may attend the meeting on Thursday February 20, along with benefits justice campaigner Liz Davies, NHS campaigner John Lister, and various local activists involved in education, community and policing campaigns.

It takes place in the Hackney Empire’s Harold Pinter room at 7pm.