Election appeal: finding cash to fight the cuts

Ken Douglas, Socialist Party national treasurer

The Con-Dem government is tearing itself apart following the chancellor's autumn statement. Osborne promises further savage cuts as his strategy to reduce the deficit lies in tatters. Even treasury minister Danny Alexander has called it an "ideologically" driven plan to shrink the state. As elections get nearer, the coalition partners are turning on each other like rats in a sack.

A clarion call from trade union leaders to oppose austerity - including standing anti-cuts candidates in the coming elections - would get huge support. But the Trades Union Congress is backing Labour.

Miliband has made it plain he shares the same fantasy strategy to clear the deficit by 2020. This underlines the importance of the Socialist Party's commitment to putting up the biggest opposition possible in May - through the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC - see centre pages).

That is why we have launched our election appeal. We are asking members and supporters - the readers of the Socialist - to donate as much as a week's income to our appeal.

We need to raise £50,000 to help pay for the leaflets, posters and other material essential to our challenge. We are preparing to stand hundreds of anti-austerity candidates throughout England and Wales.

Please consider making a pledge. We recognise that finances are stretched, particularly as Christmas approaches. But we have no rich backers; our resource is the dedication and sacrifice of our members and supporters. A tenner for an unemployed person might be the same sacrifice as hundreds for the best-paid workers. Every donation is critical.

Our deadline is 30 April to allow time for pledges to be redeemed. You can pay online at socialistparty.org.uk/donate, over the phone on 020 8988 8777, or send a cheque or postal order (payable to Socialist Party) to PO Box 24697, London E11 1YD.

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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.