Ken Douglas, Socialist Party national treasurer
Socialist Party members raised £29,255 in the first three months of 2015 – 117% of the target.
This was a magnificent effort. Particularly as over £40,000 has also been donated by members and supporters in the same period, to help finance the Socialist Party’s participation in the TUSC election campaign.
The Socialist Party doesn’t have any rich backers. Our funds don’t come from tax-dodging millionaires and billionaires, but from ordinary, working class people.
That’s why the fighting fund is so important. Branches were determined to reach the target, trying all sorts of different ways with great success!
There were regular Saturday and weekday stalls. Salford members raised over £100 on one day, campaigning against zero-hour contracts. Waltham Forest raised over £50 campaigning against cuts at Whipps Cross Hospital. And Southampton raised £52 at their regular stall outside the local hospital.
Parties and fundraisers played an important part. Waltham Forest raised £150 with a pizza night – all you can eat for £5! Carlisle held their annual Burns Night celebration, raising £132. And East London raised £50 with a ‘clothes party’: everyone brings clothes they don’t want, and they are auctioned off for 20 or 30 pence each.
Car boot sales are another potential source of income – Swansea raised over £145 at one they do regularly. Loose change jars can also raise a surprising amount: one member raised £14, and another £30.
Planning
Now branches will be planning how to reach their targets in the April to June quarter.
This election campaign is a fantastic opportunity to promote the idea of a real alternative to the capitalist parties which promise only more and deeper cuts to our living standards. Finance is a vital part of that.
Throughout the campaign, Socialist Party branches will be aiming to raise fighting fund. We must ensure we have the resources needed to build a socialist alternative to the corruption and greed of the bankers, the super-rich and their capitalist politicians.
