Steven Coles, Leicester Socialist Party
The Socialist Party spoke with attendees at Leicester Pride’s vibrant march and festivities. Many we spoke to were feeling under threat and scapegoated. They welcomed the Socialist Party’s solidarity, and were open to our ideas.
Oppression has increased against the LGBTQ+ community, particularly against trans people. As environmental, social, and economic crises created by capitalism run amok, billionaires and the establishment have hardened their tactic of divide and rule over the working classes.
For some at Pride, the Green Party and their advocacy of a wealth tax gave them hope. Others were disillusioned entirely by the status quo of politics.
Opinion was split on new Labour prime minister Andy Burnham. Many were unaware of his rolling back on promises around nationalisation of water companies and housing. People were open to our ideas of working people running the economy and taking power from the elites.
Pride was a vibrant and joyous event, but one where the corporations have embedded themselves. We heard calls from some marching that ‘Pride is protest’, rather than ‘corporate pinkwashing’.
