The Rally for Socialism 2017, photo Mary Finch (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)
Tessa Warrington, building fund organiser
As regular readers of the Socialist will know, the Socialist Party is currently under threat of eviction from our headquarters in London.
It came as a real blow when we discovered last autumn that our landlord was kicking us out to maximise profitability by transforming our offices into luxury flats.
We do not have rich backers. We are based in working class communities, among students and young people who have been hammered by austerity, debt and low pay.
We knew it was a huge task to ask our members and supporters to help us raise the amount needed to move to another London premises.
But as of last week we have smashed through £150,000 in pledged donations. This is an incredible feat of collective sacrifice by determined working class fighters and huge thanks must go to all those who have pledged so far.
Method
How did we do it? We were bold. We asked if comrades could afford to donate a week’s income, with payments spread over a number of months.
We did not shy away from asking everyone to contribute; from each according to their ability so that the burden would be shared evenly.
As long as our lives are dominated by the capitalist system we have no option but to rely on money to help us achieve our aims.
Our approach to raising finance shows only a glimpse of what is possible when workers are organised and struggle together.
The secret ingredient is that our members understand the need for a socialist society.
Understanding what is necessary gives us the confidence that the Socialist Party has the right ideas to change the world, and maintaining a presence in London is part of that task. Without this, we could never have hoped to reach this amount.
But we can go beyond £150,000! Every penny on top will only further assist us in finding the best premises we can and fighting for an end to capitalist drudgery.
If you haven’t already, please pledge or donate today to the Socialist Party’s building fund and join us in fighting for a better future.
