The Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition is standing over 100 candidates in the 2015 general election in opposition to all cuts and privatisation. Three TUSC prospective parliamentary candidates say why they’re standing.

Stop the destruction of our communities

If elected, Ross Saunders (left) would take an average worker's wage, photo Socialist Party Wales

If elected, Ross Saunders (left) would take an average worker’s wage, photo Socialist Party Wales   (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)

I’m standing for TUSC because Cardiff’s services have been ripped to shreds, and the ‘opposition’ politicians in the council, the Welsh Assembly and in parliament have done nothing to stop it.

Last week, anti-cuts campaigners in Cardiff took on the politicians and forced them to back-off from plans to close day centres for the elderly, play centres and libraries, and reduce the cuts in funding to youth clubs and the Alcohol and Drug Counselling Service.

Labour groups across Wales have been falling apart under the strain of implementing Tory cuts. There’s been a ‘palace coup’ in Swansea, the mass resignation of half Labour’s councillors in Wrexham and the expulsion of six councillors in Bridgend. But it’s only in Cardiff that the pressure has resulted in the cancellation of so many cuts.

That’s because in Cardiff support for the idea of anti-cuts campaigners standing in elections to challenge the parties of cuts and austerity has been building support the quickest.

Victories

I’ve been secretary of Cardiff Against The Cuts for the last five years. As well as the victories described above, over the years we’ve helped save swimming pools, schools, leisure centres and many other facilities and services.

But it hasn’t been enough.

Our communities are being torn apart by the cuts and the social problems that develop because of deprivation. We’re only going to force a change if we hit these careerists where it hurts – in the ballot box.

Anyone that has fought to save a facility that is essential to their community, any trade union member who has stood up for their workmates, would do a better job than those who meekly agreed to carry out austerity policies as the Tories demand.

Ross Saunders, TUSC Cardiff South and Penarth constituency PPC

Working on the front line of our NHS

Jacqui Berry, photo Senan

Jacqui Berry, photo Senan   (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)

Working in the front line of the NHS, I am sick to the back teeth of pro-cuts politicians saying they care about the service and they know what it needs.

We need investment, not cuts. We need to bring services in-house, not further fragmentation and privatisation.

We need to end the internal market in healthcare, which treats patients like numbers and sets some trusts up to inevitably fail.

We need to bring the providers of social care into public ownership. We have an ageing population and we need to be able to plan care on the basis of human need, not people’s ability to pay.

Nationalise

For too long, we have allowed private companies to profit out of the long-term care needs of the vulnerable and the elderly.

TUSC stands for a nationalised social care service. You can’t control what you don’t own.

It is a travesty that in a rich country like Britain, there are millions without adequate housing.

It is a travesty that thousands of working people are reliant on food banks.

We have Labour politicians who wring their hands about how terrible it all is, but have signed up to the ‘save austerity’ agenda of the current government.

Jacqui Berry, TUSC Gillingham and Rainham constituency PPC

London: A tale of two Lambeths

Steve Nally

Steve Nally   (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)

While Lambeth’s Labour council allows property developers to roam free and make millions, there is another Lambeth beneath the tacky charade: the Lambeth of Gloria and her daughter.

Gloria cries most days and cannot believe that she is where she is. Gloria was made redundant from a local council after the catering department she worked in was outsourced to a private contractor. Although she only earned £900 a month for 40 tireless hours a week, the job gave security if not wealth.

All that went when Gloria lost her job. Then poverty came to visit, and with that her health has declined rapidly. Worse was to come when recently Gloria and her daughter had to be referred to a local food bank. She fought back tears: this was one of the worst days of her life.

Any dreams Gloria had were smashed and have been replaced by a growing anger. Gloria and her daughter have been hit hard by the bosses’ recession, Con-Dem government austerity – and by Labour’s abject failure to fight cuts and privatisation.

But they are unbowed, and have been talking about alternatives and the need for radical change. This is why they will seriously consider voting TUSC on 7 May.

And like a lot of folk, Gloria is also a fighter. Gloria and her sacked colleagues are taking their case to a tribunal with support of their trade union. They’re not too sure if they’ll win, but as Gloria said: “It’s better to fight than go under.”

The tribunal takes place on 26 March, and I for one will be hoping they win.

And those are the two sides of Lambeth. One where Labour and the wealthy see London as a playground. And the other, where working-class people have taken a hammering – but are still standing, and are now looking for a serious political alternative.

TUSC provides that alternative.

Steve Nally, TUSC Dulwich and West Norwood constituency PPC
  • TUSC also aims to stand 1,000 council election candidates this year. TUSC involves the RMT transport workers’ union, leading members of other trade unions including the PCS, NUT and POA, as well as the Socialist Party and other left and anti-cuts groups and individuals.
    tusc.org.uk