I have been interested in politics all my life but it’s only now that I have started to see clearly the many flaws in our society created by capitalism.

By Matt Cook, Socialist Party Melbourne

I was enraged by the Howard government who attacked workers’ rights that were hard won by the unions. Like so many others I was hoping that the Labor Party would be voted in and make some changes. Only half of my wish came true. Labor was elected but very few changes were made. I was appalled and started paying more attention to politics. I came to the conclusion that both of the major parties were as bad as each other.

When a socialist friend of mine invited me to a SP branch meeting I was amazed by the discussions that were taking place. Unlike other parties they were talking about workers rights and a different way of running the world. I went back again and again and a few months later I joined. I still have much to learn about politics but I think I have taken a BIG step in the right (or should I say the Left) direction. My only regret is that I didn’t start earlier.