Why I'm standing on 5 May

Over the last five years I've tried to turn the Greens left, but to no avail. They are obviously good about the environment but have no idea about the class struggle and don't want to get rid of capitalism, with the exception of Derek Wall (leading Green economist) and a few others.

I left the Greens and re-joined the Socialist Party because we do want to get rid of capitalism. I'm proud to be standing in the local elections as a TUSC candidate fighting against all the cuts and for socialism.

Jes Waring, TUSC candidate and elected Green councillor for Stroud Town Council, Valley ward

Large parts of the ward where I am standing are social housing. Some tenants have been waiting decades for refurbishment of their decaying homes, and yet the council has cut funds for housing.

I am standing for investment not cuts, for new homes and refurbishment of existing homes.

Doug Lowe, TUSC candidate, Forches and Whiddon Valley, North Devon District Council

I'm involved in North Devon Anti-Cuts Alliance and am a member of Unite and RMT. But it's not enough to make the arguments about what councils should be doing to stop the cuts and then not stand.

So I'm standing to try to put those arguments across as someone people can vote for.

Paul Dyer, TUSC candidate, Yeo Valley, North Devon District Council

This government has dealt young people, especially college students, a double whammy. First they raised tuition fees, which makes me question if I can afford a university education.

Then they replace EMA with an underfunded system, which makes me question if I can even afford to go to college next year. How can my parents support me, when they themselves are under threat of losing their jobs? We need ordinary working people to represent ordinary working people.

Suraj Shah, college student and TUSC candidate, Rushey Mead, Leicester

There are an estimated 90,000 public sector jobs to go in Scotland in the next four years alone. You would look in vain for any commitment from either the SNP or Labour to stand up to the Con-Dem government and refuse to make the cuts.

That's why it's so important to elect MSPs who will oppose all cuts and demand the setting of 'needs budgets'. In Glasgow, George Galloway - Coalition Against Cuts is offering that alternative and deserves the support of all public sector workers and those who rely on public services.

Brian Smith, Coalition Against Cuts candidate and Glasgow Unison branch secretary (personal capacity)

You have to go back to the 1920s to see cuts as deep and as brutal as those being carried out today. No politician with an ounce of principle or courage could fail to stand up and be counted.

Yet too many politicians seem prepared to inflict the Tory cuts on those who elected them. The SNP government has meekly carried out the £1.3 billion worth of cuts asked of it by the Con-Dems.

That's why in this election Solidarity - Scotland's Socialist Movement is standing across Scotland to offer an alternative and shake up the establishment.

Jim McFarlane, lead candidate for Solidarity North East Scotland and Chair of Dundee City Unison (personal capacity)

Library closures in Stroud are some of the worst in the country and youth services are being decimated. As coordinator of Stroud Against Cuts I'm helping to organise the fightback.

Labour and Greens are in opposition and have protested against cuts. But it's TUSC candidates who have consistently argued in the anti-cuts groups and trades council for 'no to all cuts', a position now largely accepted.

Chris Moore, TUSC candidate for Stroud District Council, Uplands ward

Jacqui Berry chairs the rally at Youth Fight For Jobs Conference 2009, photo Paul Mattsson

As a nursing student, I see on a daily basis how the NHS is being dismantled. However, it is not just in health that services are being cut and privatised.

All three of the major parties are agreed that it is ordinary working people who should foot the bill for the economic crisis - allowing those responsible, the banks and big business, to carry on regardless.

We need councillors who oppose these cuts, in words and actions. I'm standing for TUSC at the local elections because I believe ordinary people need to take a stand against the cuts, privatisation and mass unemployment of the three major political parties.

Jac Berry, TUSC candidate for Gillingham South

I am standing as a TUSC candidate because I am angry. I am angry that this Con-Dem coalition appears able to attack our communities with impunity.

The victory against the Poll Tax showed that, given the correct political leadership, we can defend our class. The inspirational local campaign, led by young women, organised and won the fight to defend the Sure Start Children's Centre in Folkestone from savage cuts and closure.

This is further evidence that it is possible to defeat the cuts. The magnificent campaign led by the mums should give us all confidence that we do not have to sit by and let this Con-Dem coalition destroy our communities.