National finance meeting success

Around thirty members attended the national finance meeting on 16-17 July, with the aim of developing our finance organisers across England and Wales. Peter Taaffe opened the political session, with a report from his recent visit to Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. There was also a discussion on the London bombings.

Hugh Caffrey, Manchester

National treasurer, Jane James, reported that this year we raised more membership dues, subs and fighting fund than for nine years. Over £52,000 was raised through our week's income appeal - almost £10,000 more than in 2001. These donations financed our general election campaign, assisted the Committee for a Workers' International and replenished our contingency funds.

We also financed our participation at the World Social Forum and the March anti-war demo. We produced leaflets and posters in the build-up to the proposed pensions strike, and for the Make Poverty History demo.

The meeting discussed a resolution calling for an increase in our subs targets - all members should have discussions with a view to increasing their subs payments by November. A staged increase to the fighting fund targets, completed by the end of 2006, was also recommended.

It was agreed that all branches should use the fighting fund planners and fighting fund collectors' cards in planning how to reach their target. The few branches that do not have finance organisers should elect them as soon as possible.

Union caucuses should also appoint a finance organiser to discuss subs levels and to collect donations from union expenses to pay into the fighting fund. Every region should organise a finance meeting by the end of 2005. This resolution will go to the next national committee on 10-11 September.

There is a high level of confidence and pride in the Socialist Party among our members. Fantastic opportunities exist to meet young people at the schools, colleges and universities when term restarts. Socialism 2005 opens with a major rally and continues into a weekend of unrivalled discussion and debate of socialist ideas. We will be planning for a bumper fighting fund collection at this meeting.

All members can help - by raising fighting fund, increasing their subs, recruiting new members, taking part in discussions and reporting successes in these pages!

Fundraising record smashed at Lambeth Country Show

Lambeth Socialist Party smashed all previous years' records by raising £600 at the Lambeth Country Show last weekend including £143 in book sales.

Rob MacDonald

178 copies of the socialist were sold, two people agreed to join the Socialist Party and dozens more said that they were interested in finding out more. Over 1,000 of our bulletins were distributed, alongside hundreds of other leaflets.

The highlight of the event was comrade Titi from the Democratic Socialist Movement, our sister party in Nigeria, speaking from our gazebo about the G8 and the Make Poverty History campaign. Over 40 people gathered to hear a passionate speech, explaining that poverty could only be eradicated by ending capitalism and establishing a socialist planned economy.

Tens of thousands of working class people from Lambeth attend the Country Show every year. Our success was due to the importance we place on making a big impact and the amount of preparation we put in.

Last year we had the best political stall but this year we dwarfed all opponents by having three pitches and five red flags which could be seen all over the show!

The response we got was increased by the special attention we pay to our local mailing list - many people came up to us, introducing themselves as someone we have maintained contact with.

Branch members worked hard as a team, which in turn was noticed by the people of Lambeth and our opponents. This will stand us in good stead as we continue to establish ourselves in the area. Thanks to all those who helped and donated.

We are confident that we will have a successful follow-up meeting.

Twenty years since the Brixton riots. 21 July, 7.30pm. Wynn House, 320 Brixton Road, London SW9.

Congratulations for the record fighting fund

Socialist Party members and supporters should be extremely proud of the amount of fighting fund (FF) raised for the April to June quarter this year.

Jane James

It is always an achievement to reach our quarterly target of £22,000 but going over this by £7,523 is marvellous.

This represents the best FF quarter for nine years. All 38 branches who achieved over 100% of their target should be congratulated, especially the 'top ten' which were Exeter, Brighton, Stoke Central, Coventry East, Coventry West, Sheffield, Ipswich, Huddersfield, Somerset and Camden.

Stoke South and Stafford, both new branches, exceeded their targets and Birmingham and Leyton should be amongst those congratulated on raising over their targets.

Finance is crucial for the production of leaflets and other material and ensuring that we have the resources to build our party, so these funds are greatly appreciated and needed.

These excellent achievements were the result of campaigning in the seats we contested in the general election, regular stalls in shopping centres on national and local issues, donations from our members and supporters as well as fundraising events.

This reflects the increasing support for our ideas and programme, as well as a confidence and resolve in our party to reach the targets for each FF quarter.

We now have a layer of very good fighting fund organisers around the country, some of whom attended our recent finance meeting where we agreed that a higher FF target is now achievable. There is now the potential of raising over £100,000 by the end of the year if we build on our success.

The July to September quarter has started very well with a £5,000 donation from Elizabeth and Roger Keyse from the sale of their house. £332 was raised at the Lambeth country fair, £105 at the Rise festival and £1,000 from the FF appeal at the London meeting on the bombings.

As a result we are already on £6,936 and urge all branches to plan how they will achieve and exceed their targets for this quarter.

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