09.05.2012

Vital function

Fiscal solidarity, why not give it a try? Robbie Rix asks.

Comrade LC is one of those who have been paying over and above the minimum standing order for his Weekly Worker. Emailing this week, he writes: “Enjoying the paper and reportage as ever - fulfilling a vital function. Despite being a social chauvinist, I hope you can accept this as praise.”

I’m not quite sure which of us is the social chauvinist, LC, but your praise - not to mention your donations - are gratefully received.

As I pointed out last week, we have had no alternative but to raise the minimum quarterly subscription payment to £12 in view of this month’s increase in postal rates. But that is still a good deal and I am hoping many more comrades will take a leaf out of LC’s book and add a regular donation. Those paying by standing order at the previous rate of £10 are receiving a form with their paper this week informing them of the new minimum, which just covers the increased cost for stamps. But it is a minimum, so please feel free to exceed £12!

And what about all those online readers, who don’t pay anything for the most part, of course? There were 9,335 of them last week, for instance. Well, they too can help us out either with a one-off donation or by organising a standing order. The form is available to download from the website (at the bottom of this column!) or else you can arrange it directly with your bank. It’s particularly straightforward to do that if you have an online account.

The standing order donations (as opposed to subscriptions!) received over the last week amounted to £120 - thank you, SM, ERK, GD, SWS, DV, CG and SM. Then there were two PayPal donations made via the website from comrades TG and FL (£20 each), plus a nice little cheque from PJ for £50. All that comes to £210 and takes our total for May to £422. But we need £1,500 every month. And then there’s that matter of the £142 shortfall in April.

Please help us in whatever way you can.