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From The Socialist newspaper, 2 February 2022
Why I joined the Socialist Party
I'm tired of austerity and status quo
photo Dave Gorton (Click to enlarge)
Farhana Manzoor, Camden and Haringey Socialist Party
I am tired of austerity and the squeeze on the working class and lower middle class. What happened to the concept of 'quality of life', where families have the right to a fair standard of living, an affordable home, a comfortable income, allowing them to build roots, and have a familiar local network of friends and family?
As a lecturer and tutor, I see the immense strain school teachers and university professors are under - large classes, poor working environments, and unstable incomes. We need more investment to attract teachers, rather than training them up before they are forced to emigrate to places with better working conditions and pay.
I lament the crumbling of NHS services, and strongly support free, fully nationalised, health services for all. We need to replace fossil fuels and nuclear power with renewable energy, not 50 years on, but now.
I have been dissatisfied with the status quo and questioning issues for over a decade. We are not encouraged to have a voice, as the common person, or to exert influence on shaping the circumstances in which we live.
Do you ever feel that you are not represented by mainstream politicians? From atrocities and gross human rights abuses in the Arabian region and Africa, fuelled by the economic concerns of the powerful and wealthy, to economic and social discontent in our home in places like Britain.
Few speak up against ever-increasing economic disparity. But with the Socialist Party, I have found a voice calling for workers' rights, fairer pay and an end to insecure work.
I hope my small summary has lit a spark in you.
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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 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.
- 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.
Inevitably, during the crisis we have not been able to sell the Socialist and raise funds in the ways we normally would.
We therefore urgently appeal to all our viewers to donate to our Fighting Fund.
In The Socialist 2 February 2022:
News
Tories attack UC recipients with 'get any job' threat
NHS mandatory vaccination to be ditched
NI rise piled onto shoulders of the lowest paid
Gas and electric bills set to soar by 50% this year
Covering basic costs is hard, and it's getting worse
International news
Ukraine: Workers' unity needed
Northern Ireland: Bloody Sunday 50 years on
School students strike in Austria
France: Education workers and students walkout
TUSC
Dave Nellist standing for Birmingham Erdington
Why a socialist candidate for Birmingham Erdington is vital
Hackney Unison to encourage anti-cuts candidates
Portsmouth: Council workers leaving and tenants' double whammy
Workers fighting back
The winter strike wave escalates as workers fight back and win
NHS workers begin strike for 15% and against outsourcing
Victory at NewVIc college! 'The picket line gives us power'
Coventry bins: all-out against strike-breaking Labour council
Scunny scaffs strike restarts with a bang, barricades and a win!
Campaigns news
Tories sinking, workers rising - help fund the socialist fightback
May Day Greetings: Back the paper that backs the working class
Why I joined: I'm tired of austerity and status quo
Socialist Students getting organised for 2 March walkout
Review
Belfast: Worth watching portrayal of previously airbrushed workers' unity
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2021