Canterbury Socialist Party attends 'I, Daniel Blake' film night

'I, Daniel Blake' by director Ken Loach (Click to enlarge)

Delia Hazrati, Canterbury Socialist Party

Socialist Party members recently organised a film night instead of our usual branch meeting - the film was 'I, Daniel Blake'. Beforehand we sold 17 copies of the Socialist outside the venue.

In the film we see Daniel have to jump through surreal hoops to get his 'employment and support allowance' appeal. Stats show that 55,900 people have successfully won their appeal against their ESA being denied. It was a great film, very real and splattered with dry humour.

The film was accompanied by a Q&A with local Green Party, Labour Party, Momentum and Socialist Party members involved. Questions were asked as to why Labour councils are carrying out cuts and we discussed on how charities are picking up the pieces.

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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.