Coventry success building subscriptions

The Socialist newspaper (Click to enlarge)

Adam Harmsworth, Coventry Socialist Party

The latest lockdown has had an impact on raising sales and subscriptions to the Socialist across the country. Back in late December one of our weekly campaign stalls in Coventry sold ten papers, we definitely felt the pinch when lockdown returned.

Our branch hasn't taken any dramatic steps to react, but we did carry on the work we were doing as best we could. Several of us have paper rounds delivering the Socialist by hand to supporters, often stopping for a chat. We share the paper and encourage subscriptions on social media, and aim to build key articles into our programme of political discussions in branch meetings.

We have been continuing paper deliveries throughout the pandemic, adopting safer methods as required - like not going in for a coffee! Those deliveries and conversations about articles in the paper have raised subscribers' interest in political events and the working-class struggle that the capitalist press refuses to report.

That work has led to a new member, who has already written for the Socialist. We can now say with pleasure she is no longer our newest member, because the paper brought another supporter into our ranks.

A long-term supporter has continued selling the paper at his workplace. There he had a regular buyer, who went on to contact us about meetings, and within weeks had joined with a subscription to the Socialist.

And now two more supporters who were buying the paper on the doorstep have also agreed to take up subscriptions.

So we have seen that consistent work selling, delivering and discussing the Socialist has great results. Getting more subscriptions is vital for recruitment to the Socialist Party and education of our members.

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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.