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Socialist Party

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From: The Socialist issue 987, 21 March 2018: Hands off free school meals

Search site for keywords: Socialist Party - Anti-austerity

Why I joined: 'The Socialist Party is at the forefront of defending Corbyn's anti-austerity leadership'

photo Mary Finch (Click to enlarge)

Roald Holt, Plymouth Socialist Party

I, like many others, joined the Labour Party after Jeremy Corbyn's election as leader. Enthralled by the idea that Labour might finally return to its socialist roots, I became politically active for the first time in my life.

Some have claimed that the legacy of New Labour has been entirely vanquished following the rise of Corbyn.

However, personal experience as a member of Labour in the two years since his election revealed that many of those in control of the party machinery still do not represent ordinary working people.

It is difficult to accept the pretence of a unified Labour. Corbyn's movement has strong grassroots support, has the backing of unions and has mobilised and enthused tens of thousands of people making Labour the largest political party in Western Europe.

Victory in two leadership elections and a bid by MPs to unseat him clearly distinguishes the Blairites from the influx of working class and young people inspired by the 2015 leadership election.

Labour councils, still bastions of Labour's right, push through so-called regeneration schemes which see low-income tenants left in the lurch in what amounts to social cleansing.

This brutal attack against working people only further demonstrates a detachment from the everyday struggles people face.

The Socialist Party has presented great opportunities to stand up and fight on the key issues that we face.

I am proud to be part of an organisation where I am valued as a member and that has been consistently at the forefront in defending Corbyn's anti-austerity leadership and in pushing for the radical transformation of society.

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Finance appeal

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.