South Yorkshire says – ‘nationalise water’

Pete Dyson, South Yorkshire Socialist Party

In recent months, on our Socialist Party campaign stalls in Barnsley and Doncaster, we have been running a petition for the renationalisation of the water industry.

We have all seen bills rising, and greater sewage problems in our rivers and seas. We are feeling the strain, placing added pressure on households already grappling with a cost-of-living crisis.

For a service that is essential to life, the idea that access is becoming more expensive, while companies continue to distribute dividends, has struck many as deeply unjust. As further stories of polluted rivers and rising bills emerge, trust in the system is eroding.

On our regular stalls, many people are angered that the CEO of Yorkshire Water received £3 million in salary and bonuses in the last two years And yet, sewage was still being dumped in our rivers and seas.

The contrast between environmental decline and financial gain is making it harder for the establishment parties to defend privatisation. Many are keen to sign our petition, and are increasingly vocal about the water companies, and what they see as an outright rip off.

The £85 billion siphoned off in dividends since privatisation is sickening. For many, the nationalisation of the water companies could not happen too soon.

Swansea election campaign kicks off

Rhys Castley, Swansea and West Wales Socialist Party

Before we had even finished setting up our campaign stall, we had someone come up agreeing we need a new mass party to oppose Trump’s wars and the rampant cuts here in Wales. We had hundreds of people, from all backgrounds and ages, taking leaflets and stopping to talk to us about the many issues they face, from NHS funding, to jobs, to Trump’s horrific wars across the world.

The level of engagement we got clearly shows people are disillusioned with the main austerity parties, and are desperate for an alternative socialist voice they can support in the upcoming election. And people agreed with us when we said that the trade unions must take the lead in forming a  new workers’ party.

Organise now for ‘Socialist Saturday’ 25 April

Every week, whether there is an election on or not, Socialist Party branches campaign in our local community, fighting for the services we need and in solidarity with workers’ struggles. It is also a vital way to assess the mood, to sell the Socialist, to meet potential new members of the Socialist Party and to raise funds to help our campaigning.

Over a million people will have the chance to ‘vote socialist’ on 7 May. There are nearly 300 candidates standing for the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition, among them many Socialist Party members.

Faced with the crises of the profit-driven capitalist system, an increasing layer are looking for an alternative. And we want to meet them!

To do so, many Socialist Party branches are organising for ‘Socialist Saturday’ on 25 April, a mega day of action aiming to meet as many as possible with our socialist message against austerity and war.

How many people can you meet and invite to a Socialist Party public meeting? How many supporters can you inspire to come and help us on the day? What slogans and demands are going to be most effective at engaging workers and young people in your area?

Get organising now! And if you are not yet a member – get in touch to find out how you can help with our campaigns.