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From: The Socialist issue 1073, 12 February 2020: NHS: Fight for full funding!

Search site for keywords: What We Heard - Labour - Socialist Party - Profit - Socialist

What We Heard

Martin Powell-Davies on BBC Big Questions 9 February 2020 (Click to enlarge)

Will capitalism save the planet? "The reality is that the big companies rule the roost, and they're only interested in short-term profit," replied the Socialist Party's Martin Powell-Davies on BBC1's 'The Big Questions' on 9 February.

Martin went on: "Look at what Boris Johnson's just done with a failing company. He's nationalised it. All of these companies are failing the planet. We should nationalise them all.

"Have a plan, where the world can actually plan what is needed, instead of looking at short-term profit. It's the only way to rescue the planet." Martin drove the key issue home in the mere couple of minutes he had to actually critique the system in question, despite constant irrelevant deflections from host Nicky Campbell.

Meanwhile, the Extinction Rebellion representative on the main platform praised the capitalist policies of Margaret Thatcher and Milton Friedman. These have failed to solve the problem for decades - in fact making it worse.

The Socialist Party's latest appearances on London talk radio station LBC have included responding to Labour leadership candidate Rebecca Long-Bailey's statement supporting strikes. Dave Nellist welcomed this and said all Labour politicians should back trade union action - but under neoliberal Blair the party did not. Rob Williams said Brexit wasn't the only issue in December's election - Labour leaders must instruct councils to stop passing cuts budgets and fight to win the funds back.

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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.