THE UNITED SOCIALIST PARTY
A Party that always campaigns for a fair and just society for all in Britain
Why I Joined TUSP
No-one came along out of fairness gave the working class anything. People died
from curable diseases; were hungry, cold and lived in poverty. Our parents and
grandparents struggled and suffered severe hardship to secure our social gains,
through the trade union movement and representation by our peers in parliament
much was achieved:-
Regulated working hours
Better pay and conditions
Job security
Paid holidays
Sickness leave without fear of being sacked.
I remember my father did’nt know if he would work or not. He worked in all
weather conditions without protective clothing to protect him from the elements and
the dangers of the job.
When my husband went to work in the same industry, he had job security, decent
pay, health and safety regulations. But the struggle is continuous, and holding on to
those hard earned gains and securing more fairness is an uphill struggle.
After the second world war, people had made it clear they wanted a better life, and
were prepared to pay for it through taxation. On the 5th July 1948, the National
Health Service was launched. It was to provide care from the cradle to the grave.
Everybody irrespective of means age sex or occupation were to have equal
opportunity to benefit from the most up to date medical and allied services
available. It was to be free of charge and comprehensive with full accountability to
parliament and the public.
When Margaret Thatcher came to power her government launched an
unprecedented attack on our hard earned social gains, they began a programme of
de-regulation, privatisation and the destruction of the unions.
Anti trade union legislation was introduced, even though these laws are a direct
contravention of the charter for human rights, of which Britain were founding
signatories. Because of these laws we saw our miners defeated, after a yearlong
strike, because they did not get the Solidarity action from the trade union movement
that was rightfully theirs. Freedom of association was now outlawed, trade union
leaders hid behind these internationally illegal laws instead of challenging them.
When Labour came into power the Liverpool Dockers had been locked out for two
and a half years. Labour did nothing. Tony Blair bragged in Hong Kong that we
had the most restrictive trade union laws in the world, and he had no intention of
changing that.
The process of privatisation of the national health service gallops ahead. Vital
services and resources are being handed over to private companies both here and
abroad, some of which are run for profit for shareholders.
We have seen a massive reduction in bed provision, Hospital closures, and many
wards closed in those remaining. Thousands of NHS jobs have been axed. There
has been many protests supported by hundreds of health professionals, academics
and the general public. All have been ignored. WE HAVE NO VOICE.
It has been clear for years now that Labour no longer represents the working class;
and that there is no difference between the main parties. Labour voters have been
staying away from the ballot box allowing fascists in.
I believe we need to take a good look at ourselves, and perhaps take responsibility.
We have benefited from the gains, taken things for granted, allowed the tail to wag
the dog in the unions and voted for people to represent us who are not our peers, and
clearly do not represent our interests.
Meanwhile we are reading about the elderly having to choose between food and
heat. Of families living in poverty and people losing their homes.
I have decided to do something about it and have joined the United Socialist Party.
Because no-one will come along and out of fairness, put things right.
WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
By Doreen McNally
Not a member
of TUSP
Come and join
us and start to
change British
Politics.
We Need You
