Socialist Party placard

Socialist Party placard   (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)

Katie Hopkins, Cornwall Socialist Party

I look around at prices going up for everything and can’t understand how we can sustain this way of life for even the next ten years!

I live in Cornwall and I don’t own my own home. I have to move all the time and I’ve already had to move out of my hometown to be able to afford the ever growing rents. I have been on benefits even when working and I have seen my rent go up while housing benefit has stayed flat.

Even working 46 hours a week for above minimum wage, my benefits were still half of my income. This isn’t okay. My rent is more than a mortgage. But I can’t get one because I can’t save. To me housing should not be a privilege, but a right.

I’m worried about everything. Our rights at work, everything. I recently started a new job. I signed a contract for a year’s work but was asked to leave after nine months. I had no problems at work and was told I did my job well. One day I expressed to my manager that work was quiet and maybe I could reduce my hours a little. The next day I was asked to leave.

I had no money coming in. I had a contract. I never realised that until you’ve been working for a company for two years you have few rights. Since then I’ve heard stories of companies using this as part of their day-to-day practice. Taking advantage of the four weeks’ notice period or getting rid of people just before they reach the two year line.

Things have to change, that’s why I have joined the Socialist Party.