Why I joined the Socialist Party

I’m 90 and still a socialist – Blair chased me out of Labour

Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher teaches former Labour Party leader Tony Blair how to grind the working class down, photo Alan Hardman

Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher teaches former Labour Party leader Tony Blair how to grind the working class down, photo Alan Hardman   (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)

Roger Priest, Aylesbury Socialist Party

I’m coming up to 90 and have been a socialist since 18. I became an active socialist in the labour movement in the East End of London before moving to Buckinghamshire after the war.

I was active in the Labour Party, and ‘father of the chapel’ (union branch secretary) of the largest printing press in southern England. I was the Labour parliamentary candidate against David Lidington, now a Tory minister, when he first stood for Aylesbury in 1992.

I have always been on the left, and resigned from the Labour Party when Tony Blair went to war in 2003. I resigned because Labour had moved to the right under Blair and I couldn’t function as a socialist under his regime.

About ten years ago, I met a comrade in the Socialist Party in Aylesbury. I found that my beliefs coincided with theirs, especially in relation to the economy and nationalising its commanding heights, a policy the right wing is continually undermining.

I remain active to this day when I can. I still discuss politics and encourage people to join the Socialist Party and trade unions.