Issue 151 of Socialist Appeal is out now. This months journal features:
- Editorial: Blair's blood price legacy
- Budget: Lost Opportunities by Michael Roberts and Brown carries on Privatising our assests by Rob Sewell
- Youth: Enthusiasm in the air for Venezuelan Revolution by Daniel Morley and Privatising Youth Work Services
- Education: A Socialist policy for education
- Labour Party: John McDonnel in Peterborough and The fight is on by Steve Jones
- Airbus: European workers fight job cuts!
- Economy: World stock markets in turmoil
- Revolution: The Significance of Lenin's April Theses by Darral Cozens and Debating Spanish Civil War by Pablo Roldan
- Art: Hogarth-a critic of his times by David Sullivan
- Solidarity: Iranian workers are not alone
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Fighting Fund
Nothing Gained Without a Struggle
Well since this is a column, which tends to deal with financing of political activities (albeit ours!), it is only right that I start by saying something about the Hayden Phillips report. Set up in the wake of the Cash-for-honours scandal it was supposed to bring forward reforms to clean up political funding. What it has produced is nothing of the sort.
First of all it recommends a massive increase in state funding of parties. In other words despite successive governments having carried out wave after wave of privatisations over the years, when it comes to their own backyard quite the reverse is being suggested. Public money is now very welcome where their pockets are concerned.
Of course enough loopholes are being left to allow big business to continue to send in their bungs. The issue of caps on donations are to be left vague enough to allow this to carry on pretty much unmolested (as is the case for example in America) – which kind of defeats the object of the report in the first place. However – surprise surprise – one source of income will be severely affected; money from the trade unions. As usual, every effort is to be made to stop the organised working class from having a say in the political process. To be honest this was the real purpose of the report.
Throughout history we have had to fight to have a voice. The very journal you are holding was not produced without a struggle. Finance is central to this. No big bungs from the state or Lord this and that will be coming our way anytime soon. We rely instead on honest donations from readers and sellers to keep us going. Can you help?
Donations can be made in a number of ways:
By cheque to us at PO Box 50525, London E14 6WG (made payable to Socialist Appeal SC).
Cheques and cash can also be paid in over the counter at any branch of Abbey National quoting account number K2018479SOC.
TransCash payments can also be made at any Post Office into Alliance and Leicester account number 562 528 601, sort code 72 00 00, reference BBC.
If you wish you can also ask your bank to pay a regular amount by standing order each month into our accounts. Simply use the information above when instructing your bank or contact us and we will send you a special form you can just fill out and send in. After that everything is automatic and you can change or cancel the SO at any time, it remains under your control and no-one else, ourselves included. Your support is appreciated – thank you in advance.
Steve Jones
