‘Campaigning experience my deciding moment’
Ailene Barr, Manchester and Salford Socialist Party
I’ve always been moderately politically active but I was becoming increasingly disappointed with the impact I was having by voting, emailing my MP, donating to one-off causes and debating with anyone who’d listen.
I had joined the Labour Party when Jeremy Corbyn was leader, and left when it became clear that Keir Starmer was taking the party further and further away from my values of equality, a strong social security net and dignity for everyone. I felt politically isolated.
Then a series of escalating crises, including NHS waiting times, wealth inequality, child poverty, attacks on trans rights, disability cuts, climate change, Ukraine and Gaza prompted me to seek out an alternative political outlet.
I found the Socialist Party online and felt like I finally found an organised political group that didn’t compromise on what’s important. I went to a couple of meetings, read more Socialist Party material, and joined a campaign stall.
So much support
The stall was the deciding moment for me. So many people stopped to show their support and said they found it inspiring to see a working-class alternative to the right wing. But the stall also attracted a few who disagreed with what we stood for. One of these people was recording a video for his YouTube channel who asked why I support “communist death camps”. He posted the clip of me looking confused, saying, “I don’t,” and walking away to join other campaigners who immediately rallied around me.
