Build up resources to fight the Tories


Naomi Byron, Socialist Party finance team

The Socialist Party election appeal has now raised £73,000, with a further £8,000 pledged. This reflects enormous enthusiasm for the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) challenge, and pride in the Socialist Party’s role in building TUSC.

Most has been spent on leaflets and other election material, but in areas where extra has been generated it is buying much-needed equipment. For example, Plymouth branch has been able to buy a second-hand copy printer – very useful for future campaigns.

Socialist Party members throughout England and Wales worked flat out for two months. The party was involved in producing 715,000 leaflets, posters and postcards. Over 350,000 items were sent out to local campaigns in the last few weeks.

TUSC was the sixth biggest party in Britain in terms of candidates standing. It won 118,125 votes across parliamentary and local elections. Standing so widely was a big stretch for all the forces within TUSC, but we responded brilliantly to the challenge.

Now with a Tory government planning vicious cuts and further anti-trade union legislation, we have the fight of our lives on our hands. If you support the Socialist Party’s programme to fight the cuts and our strategy to build TUSC, join us now. Help us build and finance a socialist alternative.

Independent voice

All our resources come from our members and supporters. This ensures that the Socialist is an independent voice for the working class, and can put forward a genuine socialist alternative.

We urgently need to build up these resources, so are launching an appeal asking every member if they can increase their membership subs.

We are also asking supporters of the Socialist Party who don’t yet want to join if they could make a regular ‘supporters’ payment. Visit www.socialistparty.org.uk/donate or call 020 8988 8777 to set up a standing order.

Our members raised over £10,000 for the fighting fund in April and May. But we need to raise another £15,000 by 30 June to ensure we hit our target (see chart right). Can you make a donation to fighting fund – or become an organiser, and help coordinate the fund-raising in your branch?

Sales of our newspaper also hit a high. Our election special 24-page edition sold more than any issue this year. Selling the Socialist – especially at solidarity price – is one of the best ways to raise money for the party and spread our ideas.

Thanks to all who have donated to the election appeal, lately including Nick Hart £150, Joe Durrell £30, Hannah Chaffey £6, Andrew Howe £5, Trevor Palmer £300, and Roger Priest £50. Roger previously stood for the Labour Party. But, enthused by the TUSC campaign, he is now a Socialist Party member.

If you’d like to increase your subs or make a donation, please call 020 8988 8777 or email [email protected].