Brighton

Stop privatisation

IN BRIGHTON the Socialist Party is standing two candidates (Phil Clarke and Andy Clarke) as part of a three-strong socialist slate in the Hollingbury and Stanmer ward. The third candidate is Tony Greenstein, a member of the Alliance for Green Socialism (AGS).

Sean, Socialist Pary congress 2007, photo Paul Mattsson

Sean Figg

Both the Socialist Party and AGS are supporters of the Campaign for a New Workers' Party (CNWP). We decided to stand a full slate in the ward to offer voters there a full socialist alternative to the pro-capitalist parties and to begin to build the CNWP locally by showing how different groups can support each other and campaign jointly.

A joint Socialist Party/AGS leaflet has been put out around the ward, explaining that the candidates are from different parties but they are campaigning together as a full slate supporting the CNWP.

There are some very good opportunities in this ward to raise socialist ideas, build the Socialist Party and build support for the CNWP. There are many council homes in the ward - last month council tenants dealt a massive blow to the current crop of councillors' housing privatisation plans. We are emphasising our key role in that campaign and our anti-privatisation position.

The ward also contains halls of residence for both Brighton and Sussex universities which makes it the largest ward in the city. Socialist Students will be building support for the election campaign by tying in our candidates' support of the Campaign to Defeat Fees.

We are also doing work around local public-sector workplaces. We are tying in our local election campaign (as a concrete example of the CNWP in action) to the forthcoming CNWP conference (see page 2) and support for CNWP signatories up for election to public sector union executives.

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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.