Ruffling feathers in Cornwall


Socialists strike a chord in Truro

Rob Rooney

Socialist Party members ruffled feathers and connected with Cornish people in a foray into England’s furthest-flung corner.

As we were setting up our campaign stall in Truro’s market area a jobs-worth from the council tried to move us on. But we stood our ground.

Cornwall’s isolation and low-wage economy, with dismal prospects for young people, has caused much resentment against the London-based capitalist politicians.

We found that when socialist ideas are heard, people listen. Our linking of the slaughter in Gaza with the oppression at home – zero-hour contracts, the NHS sell-off, the need for a £10 an hour minimum wage, struck a chord.

We made links with people like Phil, from St Agnes. He is 70 in November and after a working life in farming, is now working at three jobs to make a living.

He is up at 5.15am every day to clean and open up public toilets in St Agnes. He’s usually finished by 8.30am and is at home until 3pm when he travels to Truro to clean offices.

He’s contracted to work 17 hours a week at that job but depends on doing overtime.

After Truro he travels to Newquay, to lock up the public toilets there, which takes him until 8pm.

Phil said: “I feel worse off than four years ago – it seems like the money doesn’t go as far, with increases in rent, water and phone bills. Somebody said I should get rid of my computer but I’ve worked all my life for things like that, why should I?

“I suppose I could retire but I don’t think my pension would cover what I gain from work. If there was a decent pension I would probably not work and be able to spend more time at home with my wife.”

We had to compete with the Cornwall Symphony Chorus singing for the shoppers. One of their leafleters came up and said he would join our next campaign if it was to have Tony Blair tried for war crimes.

Reflecting the interest in Socialist ideas, we sold 28 papers, collected £26 in fighting fund and six people filled in ‘join the Socialists’ cards.