NANCY TAAFFE, Socialist Party candidate for Walthamstow, did some "speed
dating" with a difference for the BBC Newsnight programme this week. Instead
of chatting to prospective dates, candidates had to convince people to give
them their vote without revealing which party they came from.
In the programme, probably being shown on 21 April at 10.30pm, Nancy came
joint second, beating Labour, Tory, Liberal Democrat and UKIP candidates!
However Newsnight gave practically no coverage to Nancy – see
Socialist Party complains about imbalance in Newsnight
On taxes, Nancy explained that ordinary people paid far too much tax while
the rich cost the country billions in tax avoidance.
There’s enough money to fund decent healthcare and education, she argued,
if the wealth in this country was used for the benefit of all and not a
minority of super-rich shareholders.
Privatisation should be reversed to stop wealthy bosses making money out of
our schools, hospitals and local services.
Nancy called for taking Rover into public ownership to protect thousands of
jobs.
Many agreed with Nancy that capitalism is only interested in making profits
at the expense of ordinary working people and the environment.
The favourable response to Nancy’s programme showed how popular these ideas
are with voters. Socialist ideas are gaining support.
