Dear Socialist Appeal
It was the last few hours of polling day, May 3rd. I'd just finished a two hour plus stint of poll telling, voting appeared heavy! My arm and pen were worn out by logging number, addresses and ‘no comment'! The latter from obvious disgruntled Tories, upset at not seeing a blue rosette present. I trudged back to my flat, stopping for a ‘thirst quencher' at a local ‘oasis'.
Sean was propping up at the bar, a fellow retired worker. What would be the evening's discussions? More often the price of a barrel of John Smiths, than Brent crude, maybe the turmoil in international cricket rather than the testing times of world affairs, or even the changing fortunes of football teams rather than the ups and downs of the market economy.
"Do you know Bob", opened up Sean, "the problem with Britain is its wealth depends too much on rent and interest. Do you realise", he continued "our manufacturing industries have virtually disappeared. We're no longer producing wealth!"
You could have knocked me down with the barmaids cleaning cloth! It was as if I was talking to the Socialist Appeal speaking clock! "Real wealth", Sean went on, "is what is manufactured! Making money out of money is an illusion of wealth. It doesn't really exist. Do you realise if this continues the economy must breakdown, somewhere and soon!"
How Seans words cheered me up, while Labour were close to meltdown in the polls, while Labour had embraced the economy of a madhouse, Seans simple clear statements showed, how even he, had a greater comprehension of economics than the Labour cabinet in 10 years! How many other workers are coming to similar conclusions??!
Fraternally
Bob Edwards
