The Socialist 25 August 2021

NHS pay: 3% is not enough

Afghanistan disaster - Unite to fight for funding for refugees and local communities

Afghanistan in crisis:

Afghanistan: The Taliban takeover - what are the lessons for the workers' movement internationally

NHS Pay

UK hospitals in danger of collapse

University of Leeds students bribed to stay away while staff are under attack

Exam results: grade gap widens

Lessons from Poplar 100 years on

NEU: Oppose the pay freeze with action not just words

Care workers struggle for a pay rise and trade union recognition

Reject the Ministry of Justice pay offer

East Midlands rail strikes continue

Homelessness workers fight for better pay and conditions across sector

Woolwich ferry strikers - the action necessary to win

Liverpool university strike saves jobs

Nigeria: Comrade Omomeewa, student leader and socialist campaigner, killed by armed assailants

SNP-Green deal will not deliver for workers and youth

Reflections on the Lebanese tragedy one year on

Biggest in-person socialist event this year!

Ealing by-election: Labour council has not opposed Tory cuts

Why I rejoined the Socialist Party

Councils declared climate emergency - now act like it!

Wales: Gearing up for 9 October youth marches

Liverpool: Stop the arms fair!

Marching for Kashmir's liberation

Donate to stop Tories clawing back crumbs

Film Review: Martin Eden

TV review: Revolutionary Love

PO Box 1398, Enfield EN1 9GT

020 8988 8777

[email protected]

Link to this page: https://secure.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/1145/32940

Search the site	Printable version

Home | The Socialist 25 August 2021 | Join the Socialist Party

Subscribe | Donate | Audio | PDF | ebook

Why I rejoined the Socialist Party

In Labour I was a fish out of water

Coventry Socialist Party campaigning against hospital parking charges (Click to enlarge)

Mary Medd, Coventry Socialist Party

I could very much identify with the article by Steve Merriman (see 'Labour v Socialist Party - my experience is seismic'). I have been a supporter of the Socialist Party since the 1990s, and always voted for their candidates.

However, when Jeremy Corbyn became the Labour leader, I joined the Labour Party, believing it would at last be reflecting my socialist beliefs. I hoped to become an active member, but after attending only a couple of local meetings, I realised I was a fish out of water.

Throughout this period, my Socialist Party comrades remained in touch, and would regularly deliver the Socialist and chat, even during the pandemic.

I tried to see the best in Keir Starmer. But I knew I had to leave Labour, and be true to my beliefs.

I rejoined the Socialist Party, and regularly attend branch meetings, where a variety of issues are debated each week. Contributions are welcome from all, with suggestions for further debates.

Although I am now retired, and not physically involved with workplace issues, it is good to hear from younger people active in the trade union movement, as I once was, fighting for workers' rights. I would recommend the Socialist Party to all those on the left who are seeking a political home.

In this issue

What we think

Afghanistan disaster - Unite to fight for funding for refugees and local communities