Link to this page: https://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/1158/33404
From The Socialist newspaper, December 1, 2021
Fundraising for the fight at Socialism2021. Photo: Mary Finch (Click to enlarge)
Roger Butler, Socialist Party of Swansea Fight Fund organizer
Roman orator and statesman Cicero described finances and resources as “the sinews of war” – and of course the same is true of the struggle for socialism.
So with a month to go and an unofficial 2021 Swansea and West Wales Socialism fund appeal target of £ 1,000 to be achieved, a coordinated and sustained campaign was on the agenda.
A bit intimidating for a newly elected fight fund organizer who quickly remembered that the Swansea branch and Wales as a whole had not missed a target for 30 years. No pressure then!
Building on Swansea’s long tradition of taking the fight fund seriously, the first step was to send an email to all members giving details of the call and stressing the importance of Socialism 2021. as our main public event of the year.
The second step was to contact members by email, text, phone or in person to ask them to promise what they could afford. There was an immediate response with many members promising what they could barely afford.
High benchmark
Currently we have £ 1,080 in pledges and we are spending the next week reaching out to the few members who have not yet made a pledge.
The benchmark has been set at a high level with a number of long-time members pledging to £ 100.
A relatively new member immediately pledged £ 75. She described how impressed she was with the Socialist Party and its determination to make a difference.
“The political and economic situation in this country is such a mess. With the Labor Party back in the establishment and offering no solution, it is easy to despair.
“Since joining the Socialist Party it is encouraging to campaign with people who are principled socialists and who are determined to play their part in defending our communities and fighting for socialism.
“It is so important to have the resources to build our party. I am optimistic about our future.”
New recruits and younger members, many of whom are poorly paid, unpaid or on student loans, and at the end of the capitalist crisis, have also made generous pledges.
One of them said: “We just can’t go on like this. No one else is going to save us, it’s up to us to build the Socialist Party.”
We seem poised to crush our combat fund target once again. Phew!
- To redeem a Socialism 2021 fight fund pledge, or if readers are now interested in donating, visit socialistparty.org.uk/donate
Financial appeal
The coronavirus crisis has exposed the class character of society in many ways. This clearly shows to many that it is the working class that makes society run, not the CEOs of big companies.
The results of austerity have been shown graphically as utilities struggle to cope with the crisis.
- The material of the Socialist Party is more vital than ever, so we can continue to bring back workers who are fighting for better health and safety measures, against layoffs, for adequate workforce etc.
- We must be prepared for the stormy events to come and the need to arm the labor movements with a socialist program – a program that puts the health and needs of mankind before the profits of the few.
Inevitably, during the crisis, we were not able to sell the socialist and raise funds as we normally would.
We therefore urge all our viewers to donate to our Fight Fund.
In Le Socialiste for December 1, 2021:
New
Critical NHS
Covid-19: A new variant emerges but the same old capitalist disease
27 dead in the tragedy of migrants from the Channel
Bulb bailed out, nationalize energy to solve the price crisis
Khan threatens further London transport cuts
The “insufficient and faulty” startup program
Conservatives strengthen repressive laws in anticipation of discontent
COP26
After COP26: what next for the climate movement?
Wales
Wales: Labor-Plaid Cymru agreement – jam tomorrow, maybe
Rural life
Behind the rural idyll – the problems of everyday life
Workplace News
NHS workers – vote yes for action to get a decent pay raise
Staff and students unite against attacks by university bosses
UCU Higher Education Litigation
Education unions campaign against academization in Leicester
RMT strike against the suppression of night metro operators
South Yorkshire Stagecoach drivers strike over meager 1% pay offer
Nottingham and Mansfield unions rally against cuts and for better wages
Oaks Park school strike ends over forced concessions
International
Argentinian elections see intensifying polarization
Campaigns
Massive non-payment in East London wins housing victory
Walking to stop violence against women
Housing activists protest against CEO’s champagnes
Building a political alternative to the cuts by the Conservatives and Labor
Stop funding cuts for the Uni arts
Plymouth: hundreds attend anger vigil for Bobbi-Anne McLeod
Socialism 2021: How did we meet our campaign fundraising target
Ending fuel poverty
Readers’ reviews
TV Review: Valley of Tears
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