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From The Socialist newspaper, 19 May 2010
Building Coventry Socialist Party after the election
Following one of Coventry's fiercest election battles ever, 39 people, including 16 new or prospective Socialist Party members, attended the party's public meeting in the city on Saturday 15 May.
Lenny Shail, Coventry West Socialist Party
Hannah Sell, deputy general secretary of the Socialist Party, introduced the discussion on what the election results mean and how socialists can organise the fightback against the inevitable attacks on working class people from the Tory-Lib Dem coalition.
With two postmen attending straight from their shift as well as whole families among the audience, Hannah warned that we are only at the beginning of a Europe-wide battle to defend workers from a ruling class onslaught and that a mass movement with similarities to the anti-poll tax battle will be needed to defeat it.
In the discussion it was emphasised that Rob Windsor's council seat in St Michaels, lost to Labour as voters turned out for the general election to stop the Tories, was merely 'on rent'.
The second part of the meeting saw Dave Griffiths, West Midlands Socialist Party secretary, give new and prospective members of the party the chance to hear about how the party works, how we organise and the role that each member can play.
Five people filled in 'join' cards, adding to others who joined during recent weeks, all of them inspired and ready to join the struggle for socialism.
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Coronavirus crisis - 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.
- Our 'fighting coronavirus workers' charter', outlines a programme to combat the virus and protect workers' living conditions.
- 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.
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 special coronavirus appeal.
In The Socialist 19 May 2010:
Action needed to save our services
Workplace news
Vote Roger Bannister in the Unison general secretary election
British Airways: Another intolerable court judgment
Youth fight for jobs
Youth need job creation, not job slaughter
Socialist Party election analysis
Time for the fight of our lives
Socialist Party news and analysis
Building Coventry Socialist Party after the election
Support for socialists Ian Page and Chris Flood
Packed out London meeting looks to fight against cuts
International socialist news and analysis
Initiative for a week of European-wide protests
Italy: ControCorrente socialists support CWI
Thailand's government orders bloody crackdown on protesters
Kazakhstan: "Thanks comrades for support"
USA: Putting forward a Socialist Alternative in Seattle
Marxist analysis: history
The Tragedy of the Chinese Revolution by Harold Isaacs
Obituary
Peter Hadden - an inspiring life for socialism
Socialist Party workplace news
Communication Workers Union conference: Hands off Royal Mail!
Bus workers gear up for action
RMT ballots Tube Lines workers
National Shop Stewards Network conference: International rally planned
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