A Manchester student
Part of being a socialist is facing up to all the horrors of the capitalist system. You watch as funding to local hospitals is cut and everyone has fallen on hard times that don’t seem to come to an end. You are aware of the ever-accelerating exploitation of workers and resources. You see politicians blaming everything from immigration to convenience culture for the problems the country is facing, skirting around what their billionaire donors could possibly have to do with it. Nothing crushes revolutionary spirit faster than feeling that there is nothing you can do to challenge the capitalist system. That is why joining the Socialist Party was so important for me.
Joining has meant my socialist principles can be used to work for real political change, rather than being reduced to a list of ineffectual gripes.
Organising with trade unionist members has provided a framework to take real political action. I’ve learnt how the potential power of the unions cannot be overstated, whether in terms of protecting women’s rights in the workplace or in supporting the people’s budget for Manchester City Council.
With student members, I’ve found great opportunities for political development: discussing the latest news from a socialist perspective and speaking to people on stalls has helped me connect socialist ideas to daily life. Politicians serving the interests of capitalism want us to believe there is no hope to create a different world, but being in the party means working towards creating it.
All in all, joining the party makes being a socialist more than having directionless political vision. If you want to look towards the possibility of socialist future and take pro-working class action now, I would absolutely recommend joining.
