Sharrow success

Socialist Party stall at Sharrow festival, Sheffield photo Jeremy Short (Click to enlarge)

For several years Sheffield South branch of the Socialist Party has held campaign stalls at two community festivals. We extended into a third this year in Sharrow which was a great success. Nearly Ł200 fighting fund was raised, including 33 copies of the Socialist sold and another Ł103 from Liz Morton's plant sales.

More importantly, many discussions were held with local residents, including young Labour Party members angry at the right-wing plot against Corbyn in the Labour Party. One young couple stated they had recently got active for the first time because of Corbyn. It is this enthusiasm among the youth that right-wing Labour politicians are trying to suppress.

One Socialist Party member challenged Paul Bloomfield MP on the Labour Party stall as to why he hadn't supported Corbyn. Understandably, he got no response - except a promise to support him if he wins the leadership election again! So why isn't he supporting him now, given that he was elected less than a year ago?

In addition to the record paper sale, seven people gave their details to join the Socialist Party. Nine members helped on the stall and they can't wait for next year's Festival to come round!

Jeremy Short

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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.

We therefore urgently appeal to all our viewers to click here to donate to our Fighting Fund.