Getting the Socialist out in lockdown

Selling the Socialist

(Click to enlarge)

Mick Griffiths, Wakefield Socialist Party

Our branch has around 20 - 30 regular paper sales in normal times. Five of the regulars are within walking distance for me, and have their papers hand delivered each week. A core of regulars are contacted and arrangements made to meet up to deliver papers.

Most days, between four and six days a week (except when I have to isolate), I have to visit the town centre.

On all occasions I have a bag of papers. Wherever I go, when opportunities arise, I attempt to engage in political discussions and offer the paper to taxi drivers, shop assistants and so on.

At the end of the week when the new paper is due, I drop off copies of the previous paper at various locations such as on buses, trains and in cafes.

This can lead to new sales. In the past I had people coming to our campaign stall and asking to buy the paper after having picked one up that I had left on a bus.

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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.