06.06.1996

No secret

Summer Offensive ’96

We hear that Arthur Scargill has been making discreet enquiries about the CPGB. How do we manage to get out our eight-page weekly with its regular extended supplements, he wants to know. After all, the new SLP national executive has just decided that the most it can manage for the moment is a members’ newsletter.

Are we still sitting on a pot of Moscow gold perhaps, or is there some sinister state agency feeding us thousands so we can undermine the working class movement with our call to build a revolutionary party?

We can tell Arthur that we have no secret source of ready money. We rely entirely on our members, supporters and readers to come up with the funds we need. It may seem incredible to reformists, but our paper, produced in our own printshop, has been made possible only through the tireless dedication and sacrifice of our comrades.

Fundraising for us is an integral part of our political work. Throughout the year the question of cash is never far from every comrade’s thoughts. We know we must set our financial sights high to achieve our aim - the building of a mass Communist Party. Apart from the 10% of income that all members contribute to Party funds, every year we step up our efforts even more in our Summer Offensive drive to bridge the gap between what is possible and what is necessary.

Next Sunday (June 9) there will be a special mid-Offensive meeting in central London. Give us a ring if you want to come along and hear how it’s done.

One comrade has decided to sell his car to raise some extra cash, while another has taken on extra part-time work. Last week Manchester supporters raised £120. Cheques for £50 from KR, along with £20 each from ST and BB, helped to swell our total to £7,320. But there is very little time left to ensure we reach our target of £25,000. Don’t hold back your cash until the last minute; send in what you have now.

Peter Manson