17.07.1997

Fighting fund

Linda Addison reports on the Weekly Worker fighting fund

As mentioned in this week’s ‘Party notes’, the organisation’s aggregate has decided to extend this year’s Summer Offensive fundraising drive to the end of July.

Though just over £20,000 is already secured, comrades are determined to push past the £25,000 target, given the political tasks that face us in the coming year.

As readers will also see in this issue, the Campaign for Genuine Self-Determination in Scotland is launched this coming Monday. Comrades in Scotland face a daunting task to raise the necessity of actively fighting for genuine self-determination rather than passively accepting New Labour’s sop - almost without exception the left has deserted the field of class combativity to say ‘yes, yes’ in Labour’s rigged referendum.

We need more finances immediately for this campaign, as well as people. Call 0141-552 5872 if you can help out with the campaign between now and the referendum in September.

‘Party notes’ also mentions the developing atmosphere in the Socialist Labour Party. As opportunities for democratic discussion are further severed, this paper will become increasingly important for all in the movement to argue their views and to raise the banner of Partyism.

Launching themselves into the extra two weeks of fundraising, comrades from Manchester raised over £450 this week.

We will again be appealing to readers to dig that bit deeper, given that many branches and Party committees are now heavily involved in preparation for Communist University ’96 as well as the campaign in Scotland. It has been the extra support of readers this year that has ensured that this Offensive has been such a success. Party supporters, as well as being busy in many areas of Party work, have been unusually plagued by illness and personal tragedy during the two months of fundraising.

With an extra push we can achieve the whole £25,000 needed as a firm financial basis for the many political tasks we face. Rush cheques before the end of July to the CPGB address.

Linda Addison