‘Never thought I would say that about a political party!’

Alan Norris, Swindon Socialist Party

Why did I join the Socialist Party? I’d never been interested in politics before, and always thought that before a general election all parties promise this and that and deliver not a lot once in. The same old crap.

A short time before the 2024 general election, walking around Swindon, I stopped by the Swindon Socialist Party campaign stall and struck up a conversation with one of the members.

My word did I say what I thought of governments, MPs and how the country was being run. How the rich are getting richer on the backs of the working class. The conversation I had certainly made more sense about things, and definitely opened my eyes even more to how bad things are run under capitalism.

I ended up leaving the stall with a copy of the Socialist newspaper and details on the next Swindon Socialist Party meeting, which I attended. At the meeting there was a lot of interesting conversations by a lot of knowledgeable people which opened my eyes even more.

Afterwards it made me realise things have to change for the better. After a few more meetings I got hooked on socialism and now I’m a member of the Socialist Party.

I now believe 100% that the Socialist Party can make a difference to everybody. Never thought I would say that about a political party!

The most important thing I believe is everyone has a voice. But individual voices are not heard enough. Collectively, our voices can be heard. Let’s bring everyone together so that we can change things. Let’s stop this capitalist system failing us. Let’s say enough is enough, capitalism is creating the problems that we face. The rich are getting richer and the poor are getting  poorer and we end up paying for it.

Let’s put the working class in power to run this country for the better. Let’s say enough is enough, let’s make people’s lives happier and save this planet, which can provide everyone’s needs under socialism.