Building the Socialist Party

Tolpuddle

Over 130 copies of the Socialist were sold at the 2013 Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival in Dorset when petitioning for the TUC to call a 24-hour general strike against austerity. Several people said they would attend the lobby of the TUC congress in Bournemouth.

Thousands of people attended the two-day festival, which remembers the six farm workers who were arrested and exiled to Australia in 1834 for forming a union.

Matt Carey

See full report and photos at: High turnout for Tolpuddle festival

Northern region Socialist Party members raised £23.49 from selling gingerbread bankers to "eat the rich"! Thanks to Chris from Shirley who donated £10 and Tony G from Leeds, who donated £50 saying "Keep up the good work."

Lincoln

"I really hate the bedroom tax and I want to help your campaign to get rid of it," said one person who donated £10 to Socialist Party campaigners in Lincoln, despite being affected by the bedroom tax himself. 12 copies of the Socialist were sold on the weekday stall with £47 fighting fund raised in total.

Dave Tompkins

Find out about Socialist Party events near you:

socialistparty.org.uk/whatson

Come to the Socialist Party 2013 Summer Camp

5pm, Friday 23 to 1pm, Monday 26 August - New venue in Ware, Hertfordshire

Discussions and debates every morning and evening • Activities available include climbing wall, archery, zip line, paintball, golf and fishing.• Regular meals cooked each day, available at reasonable prices • Evening burger bar • Camp fire • Quiz night • Live music • Crèche for younger children during discussions • Red Flag Club for older children

Bring along a tent, sleeping bag, plate, cup, bowl, knife, fork and spoon.

Costs (not including food): Waged adult £50; Unwaged £30; Family of 4: £100; Child over 4: £12.50; Deposit £20 per person.

For more information and a booking form ring 020 8988 8782 or email [email protected]

Donate to the Socialist Party

Finance appeal

The coronavirus crisis has laid bare the class character of society in numerous ways. It is making clear to many that it is the working class that keeps society running, not the CEOs of major corporations.

The results of austerity have been graphically demonstrated as public services strain to cope with the crisis.

The government has now ripped up its 'austerity' mantra and turned to policies that not long ago were denounced as socialist. But after the corona crisis, it will try to make the working class pay for it, by trying to claw back what has been given.

The Socialist Party's material is more vital than ever, so we can continue to report from workers who are fighting for better health and safety measures, against layoffs, for adequate staffing levels, etc.
When the health crisis subsides, we must be ready for the stormy events ahead and the need to arm workers' movements with a socialist programme - one which puts the health and needs of humanity before the profits of a few.