Why I joined the Socialist Party – ‘The reality of the world awakened something in me’

by Sorana Secu, Waltham Forest Socialist Party

I moved to London from Romania in 2010 — an overwhelming year, marked by the aftermath of the 2007-2008 financial crisis, and the austerity, inequality, and hopelessness that followed. Little by little, the reality of a world that I had never agreed to, a humanity divided and struggling, began to seep into the edges of my being, and awaken something in me.

But I was lacking courage. The courage to express my anger at the injustice, to stand by others, and to live a life that was truthful to my real self.

In 2015, I went through a painful and unjust redundancy, followed by a long and cruel burnout. That year taught me the need for unions and solidarity.

But it also revealed to me the cold-blooded reign of capitalism – a system in permanent crisis. The need for a better, more creative, just, and humane alternative felt urgent, not abstract.

Living close to Walthamstow Market, I began to meet some of the Waltham Forest Socialist Party members. I would sometimes donate to them, buy the Socialist newspaper, and sign their petitions.

This summer, I met Paula at a Socialist Party campaign stall in Walthamstow Central, and we spoke for longer. I went along to a branch meeting in Leyton, then to a couple of public meetings in the borough, and most recently to Socialism 2025.

Socialism 2025 was eye-opening and vibrant, and convinced me to officially join on the first day, after some excellent talks on the rise of AI, and on domestic violence and misogyny, followed by wonderful conversations with comrades from everywhere, including from my own country, Romania.

My aim is to make even a tiny difference, to learn as much as I can from others’ experience, to help fight for the least protected in whatever way I am able, and to go beyond ideas and debates, into action. I believe a socialist world is possible.

If you are worried about the future, and curious about socialism and what it stands for, go to a branch or public meeting, or support the Socialist Party by donating or by buying this newspaper. See if it stirs something in you.

Karl Marx said: “Philosophers have only interpreted the world, in various ways; the point, however, is to change it.”