Baguley: Socialists are left opposition to New Labour

BEATING THE Liberals and the Greens in the 3 May elections shows support for the Socialist Party is growing in Baguley ward, Wythenshawe. Third place went to Lynn Worthington, the Socialist Alternative candidate, who scored 251 votes (10%). In this area the need for a fighting opposition is certainly growing!

Hugh Caffrey, Socialist Alternative election agent

Housing transfer has been a total disaster. Promising improvements, the council privatised the housing to unaccountable trust Parkway Green. On the Parkway Green board sit, among others, the councillors! Subcontractors employed by Parkway Green have trashed people’s homes and made people ill through the stress.

Tenants need to fight for democratic control over housing and to demand proper standards of work. This could help tackle unemployment by directly employing local workers on proper apprenticeships and decent wages.

Premature babies are dying because there aren’t enough neonatal units, a report by charity Bliss showed. Six closures in Greater Manchester, including in Wythenshawe, will worsen this.

Thousands of people have signed the “Save Our Baby Unit” petition, and we have taken leaflets to the schools and hospital. Together with similar campaigns around Greater Manchester we’ve pushed back the closure plans and will continue fighting to save them all.

The city centre “boom” has done nothing for workers. Manchester is at the same level in the poverty league tables as it was before the 2002 Commonwealth Games! We need to build the fightback. We’re holding monthly meetings in Baguley ward, with the next one towards the end of May. Contact us for details on 07769 611 320 or [email protected].