08.08.2007

Sniffing distance

Howard Roak reports on the latest developments in our two-month fundraising campaign

We are so close to our £25k minimum target in this year's Offensive - our annual fundraising campaign - that I can almost smell it.

This week saw a chunky £3,322 land on our mat. This means that, as we head towards Communist University on August 11, we already have £17,861 chalked up. This school is the political highlight of the CPGB year and in 2006 it saw just over £8,500 come in from fees, literature stalls, the sale of food and drink plus individual donations. As I pointed out then, this meant that the event easily beat any seven-day period during the SO itself as a money-spinner (the next best week last year saw a comparatively weeny £3,342 stumped up). It is therefore fitting - politically and financially - that it is the culmination of our annual fund drive.

This week, particular mention must go to comrade MM for his sterling £520 to the campaign. Your support is invaluable, comrade. Thanks also to comrade GR, who used our online PayPal facility to donate a more modest but still very useful £50 (she was one of 40,602 visitors to our website last week). And if you need confirmation that part of the money raised is well spent, take a look at the timetable for the aforementioned Communist University.

It is shaping up to be a good one, with plenty of lively debates and - I am pleased to note - is causing some controversy and consternation amongst our political opponents.

Apologies if this column is a little CU-heavy, but in many ways it remains the most graphic and convincing argument for the type of politics we promote every week in these pages.

You support is vital to that, comrades. Even if you are unable to attend, why not donate to ensure that this unique political event on the left's annual timetable is adequately financed and our ambitious plans for developing it in future years are carried through.