Join us today!
Printable version
Link to this page: https://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/919/23697
From The Socialist newspaper, 5 October 2016
Why I joined the Socialist Party: "My only regret is I didn't do it years ago"
The 'join' stall at Socialism 2014, photo Senan (Click to enlarge)
Eileen Welland, Staines
I'm a new Socialist Party member at the grand old age of 67. I was a member of local government union Unison for years as an activist and branch secretary.
Each time I went to conference I heard motions put forward by Socialist Party members that resounded with my views. But I was 'guided' by those more experienced and in a higher position than me away from the Socialist Party.
But after my retirement and not feeling pressured by the union staff, I had contact on Facebook with Socialist Party member and Unison activist Paul Couchman. I enjoyed seeing his posts.
I signed up to the Socialist Party email list and when Jeremy Corbyn was elected Labour Party leader again I contacted Paul to ask if I could go to a Socialist Party meeting.
I want to be active in helping Jeremy Corbyn get the Labour Party back to what the Labour Party was initially started for. To support the workers and the vulnerable, to ensure policies are formulated for the greater good and not the privileged few.
Get active
I attended the meeting and I felt in the company of like-minded people.
Paul gave me a load of information together with a membership form. I read the booklets and decided I wanted to be involved rather than just sit on the side lines so called him and met him four days later with my membership form.
If you can relate to what the Socialist Party stands for - fairness, equality and socialism - then contact us and have a discussion. If you don't, you will never know.
I may be an old joiner but my only regret is I didn't do it years ago.
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.
Inevitably, during the crisis we have not been able to sell the Socialist and raise funds in the ways we normally would.
We therefore urgently appeal to all our viewers to donate to our Fighting Fund.
In The Socialist 5 October 2016:
What we think
Combative, vibrant unions should be central to the Corbyn movement
Socialist Party news and analysis
Sam Allardyce corruption shame: reclaim the game!
Asos workers fear taking toilet breaks, sacked for panic attacks
UK workers born in early 1980s half as wealthy as those born in 1970s
Millions have less than £100 savings
Black History Month
Workplace news and analysis
RMT president Sean Hoyle speaks to the Socialist
Durham teaching assistants ballot for strike
Napo conference 2016: new mood of determination
London Met strike against job cuts and victimisation
Socialist readers' comments and reviews
Corbyn's praise for Cardiff Labour is mistaken
Review: where you live can kill you
Review: international jazz protest storytelling
Socialist Students
Socialist ideas - winning a new generation of students
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
Thousands march against Tory conference
Protests against children's centre closures in Bolton
Why I joined the Socialist Party
Fighting fund record smashed again!
Leeds: Solidarity demo with Irish abortion fight
London: Socialism Today milestone celebration
Worcester: Public meeting discusses Corbyn
International socialist news and analysis
Poland: Fighting back against anti-abortion law
Ireland: repeal the 8th Amendment!
Joint declaration by Izquierda Revolucionaria and the CWI
Home | The Socialist 5 October 2016 | Join the Socialist Party
Subscribe | Donate | Audio | PDF | ebook
2020