Rail fail

Commuter trains are packed, unreliable and overpriced, photo Kurtis Garbutt (Creative Commons) (Click to enlarge)

Commuters with banners and megaphones protested against privatised rail operator Southern's appalling service in London's Victoria station on 11 July.

The incompetent, cash-guzzling firm is notorious for delays, cancellations and overcrowding. Short journeys can take several hours, and some passengers say the service has cost them their jobs. Southern is trying to scrap guard service on trains, which has provoked strikes.

Privatising services only drives up prices while encouraging bosses to cut corners and staff to boost profits. The Socialist backs transport unions RMT and Aslef in their industrial action, and angry commuters demonstrating for passenger rights. Renationalise public transport under the democratic control of workers and passengers.

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Finance appeal

The coronavirus crisis has laid bare the class character of society in numerous ways. It is making clear to many that it is the working class that keeps society running, not the CEOs of major corporations.

The results of austerity have been graphically demonstrated as public services strain to cope with the crisis.

The government has now ripped up its 'austerity' mantra and turned to policies that not long ago were denounced as socialist. But after the corona crisis, it will try to make the working class pay for it, by trying to claw back what has been given.

The Socialist Party's material is more vital than ever, so we can continue to report from workers who are fighting for better health and safety measures, against layoffs, for adequate staffing levels, etc.
When the health crisis subsides, we must be ready for the stormy events ahead and the need to arm workers' movements with a socialist programme - one which puts the health and needs of humanity before the profits of a few.

Inevitably, during the crisis we have not been able to sell the Socialist and raise funds in the ways we normally would.

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