Why I joined the Socialist Party: "My only regret is I didn't do it years ago"

The 'join' stall at Socialism 2014, photo Senan (Click to enlarge)

Eileen Welland, Staines

I'm a new Socialist Party member at the grand old age of 67. I was a member of local government union Unison for years as an activist and branch secretary.

Each time I went to conference I heard motions put forward by Socialist Party members that resounded with my views. But I was 'guided' by those more experienced and in a higher position than me away from the Socialist Party.

But after my retirement and not feeling pressured by the union staff, I had contact on Facebook with Socialist Party member and Unison activist Paul Couchman. I enjoyed seeing his posts.

I signed up to the Socialist Party email list and when Jeremy Corbyn was elected Labour Party leader again I contacted Paul to ask if I could go to a Socialist Party meeting.

I want to be active in helping Jeremy Corbyn get the Labour Party back to what the Labour Party was initially started for. To support the workers and the vulnerable, to ensure policies are formulated for the greater good and not the privileged few.

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I attended the meeting and I felt in the company of like-minded people.

Paul gave me a load of information together with a membership form. I read the booklets and decided I wanted to be involved rather than just sit on the side lines so called him and met him four days later with my membership form.

If you can relate to what the Socialist Party stands for - fairness, equality and socialism - then contact us and have a discussion. If you don't, you will never know.

I may be an old joiner but my only regret is I didn't do it years ago.

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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.