Why I joined the Socialist Party – It’s helped me to me feel empowered to push harder and to shout louder

Demanding a 15% pay rise for NHS workers, 8th August 2020, London

Demanding a 15% pay rise for NHS workers, 8th August 2020, London   (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)

Holly Johnston, Sheffield Socialist Party

I’ve been a nurse in the NHS for 17 years, and have first-hand experience of privatisation, attacks on pay and working conditions, and dangerously underfunded services. As an ex-Labour member, I realised that both the Tories and the Labour Party were playing a role in undermining our NHS.

I became one of the lead campaigners for #NHSPay15 in July 2020. As soon as I’d started to publicise our protest, Alistair Tice (Socialist Party organiser in Yorkshire) got in touch with me. From that point on the Sheffield branch was unwavering in its support, advice, encouragement and mentorship.

The experience and knowledge of Socialist Party members were invaluable to our campaigning. We had many conversations, and as I discovered more about the Socialist Party, I realised that the party aligned to what I had been seeking all along.

Since joining, the party has continued to support the actions, campaigns and events that I have organised. The party has helped me develop politically, and made me feel empowered to push harder and to shout louder in order to grow the campaigns around pay and PPE.

Despite the various lockdowns of 2020, I could see the party recruiting new members from all walks of life. If you are disillusioned with the establishment, if you want to fight for decent jobs and decent services as capitalism attacks our class – then join the Socialist Party!