Socialist sellers on the national NHS demo, 4.3.17, photo Mary Finch

Socialist sellers on the national NHS demo, 4.3.17, photo Mary Finch   (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)

Ian Pattison, the Socialist campaigns organiser

From the first issue of the year, which highlighted the ever-widening wealth gap, the Socialist has featured the major issues confronting ordinary people – from the relentless Tory attacks on our health service and the victories against NHS closures at Glenfield and Chatsworth, to the determined battle by UCU university workers against attacks on their pensions.

Now Socialist Party members have launched our local election campaigns. We’re part of TUSC (the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition), standing over 100 candidates around the country. We’re targeting Blairites who refuse to back Jeremy Corbyn’s anti-austerity policies.

Already this year sellers of the Socialist in York, Swansea, Gloucester, West London and Cardiff all increased their paper orders to match increased demand.

There will be loads of anti-cuts campaigning by the Socialist Party and TUSC during the local authority elections.

We need to ensure that the Socialist is at the forefront of our campaigning. This way, sales of the Socialist can reach even higher this quarter.

During the start of the election campaigns we’ve produced feature articles showing how councils can legally block the cuts, and stop Tory attacks on the NHS, education, and housing.

This week we look at dangerous driver-only operation and how the transport union RMT has led a determined campaign to keep a safety-critical guard on trains alongside the driver.

In recent weeks the establishment has been rocked by crisis upon crisis. The Socialist hasn’t faltered; we’ve provided expert analysis on complex issues – from the Salisbury nerve agent poisoning to Labour’s civil war and accusations of anti-semitism; from Facebook algorithms to a socialist, internationalist and anti-austerity position on a customs union.

We’ve had an enthusiastic response for opposing the Blairites in the local elections. Ordinary working class people back our stand against the cuts, the bombing in Syria, and cuts to youth services (linked to the tragic spate of youth killings in London).

Help the Socialist paper by subscribing today – you can do so online at socialistparty.org.uk/subscribe. You’ll get a free book in the post if you sign up via direct debit.

Would you like one or two extra papers to sell to friends, family and workmates? You don’t have to be a member of the Socialist Party to become a seller of the Socialist. For sales and subscriptions call 020 8988 8796.