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Obituary: Simon Gomery 1968-2016
Simon Gomery, 1968-2016 (Click to enlarge)
Members of the Socialist Party in Plymouth were saddened to learn of Simon Gomery's sudden death in May.
Simon spent much of his adult life in the Labour Party, but joined the Socialist Party in 2014. He had become increasingly disillusioned with a Labour Party he felt was detached from the working class, and was proud to have been formally expelled for nominating a Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) candidate in his ward for the 2014 elections.
Simon was a skilled photographer, often documenting the demonstrations that took place in Plymouth, and displaying his works at exhibitions. He was keen to showcase the determined struggles of working class people.
Simon championed disability rights, and was the disabled workers' officer for his branches of public sector union Unison and teachers' union NUT. One of his proudest moments was an article he wrote on the devastating effects of benefit cuts to disabled people making the front page of the Socialist last year (see 'Killed by benefit cuts' at socialistparty.org.uk).
Determined to see an anti-austerity alternative on the ballot paper he stood for TUSC against the pro-cuts Labour council candidate in his ward last September. He felt immense pride that he was following in the footsteps of those who dared to take on Thatcher and won.
Simon was determined to see an end to the misery caused by capitalism, and was a passionate advocate for the socialist transformation of society. He will be deeply missed.
Ryan Aldred
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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.
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