Sue Statter, Sheffield Socialist Party
My Labour Party membership is a story of disappointment. Except during the Jeremy Corbyn years, when I was proud to support a radical agenda, it has almost always been a tough place to be for a socialist. But it did feel like the only place to be for a long time.
The final straw for me, and over 200,000 members, was the election of Keir Starmer as leader. Since I left, he has “wiped the slate clean” of the pledges that got him elected. I have no regrets.
Outrage at the capitalist system in crisis, determined to extract the last penny from exploitation of working people and our planet.
Outrage at Unison leaders’ defence of pay review bodies telling their members that moving back to collective bargaining would be ‘dangerous, reduce our influence, and lead to an even smaller pay increase’. This ridiculous argument was used by Unison leaders to defeat a motion at the union’s health sector conference this year. I was there and voted for the motion, despite being instructed by my region to vote against.
The last time I was this outraged was when I joined the poll tax demonstration in London 32 years ago. The Socialist Party, and the amazing members in Sheffield branch, have given me hope that radical change is possible. It feels right to be here, fighting for what’s right.
Do you agree? Join the Socialists
What’s the role of a revolutionary party?
Come and discuss at Socialism 2022
London, 19-20 November – tickets and info at socialism.org.uk
