by Amnon Cohen, Camden and Haringey Socialist Party
A massive water main had erupted earlier in the week, turning one street into a raging torrent, flooding people’s homes. At the same time, Thames Water is imposing a hosepipe ban.
So, on our Socialist Party campaign stall, we used the petition calling for nationalising water and energy. Passersby, who are struggling under rising bills, were enraged when we told them about the £20 billion debt Thames Water has taken on, the £7 billion paid in dividends, and the £1 million signing fee paid to the new chief finance officer. People were queuing up to sign our petition and donate.
Panos, a Socialist Party member who joined two weeks ago, was selling the Socialist, raising fighting fund, while asking me what to do with the bank notes he was given. Farhana was working the petition boards and engaging the more interested people in discussion.
But the highest fighting fund by far was raised by Majbritt. She met us at a Socialist station sale this week, came to her first meeting later that day, and approached every passerby with boundless, infectious enthusiasm.
Exhausted by the endless barrage of interested people, we tried to pack up the stall, only to be interrupted by a young woman who insisted on buying a Socialist paper. Finally, we retreated to a local cafe, where the barista also took a leaflet for Socialism 2026 in November.