Stoke councillors join the Socialist Party


Why we’re standing for socialism

We are printing the text of a letter written by two ex-Labour
councillors in Stoke-on-Trent, Paul and Dave Sutton. In it they explain
to their constituents their reasons for leaving New Labour and joining
the Socialist Party.

Dear Friends,

Paul Sutton, Stoke Socialist Party councillorI
am proud to be a councillor for the Abbey Green Ward. As a socialist, I
joined the Labour Party 30 years ago to fight for the interests of
ordinary working-class people.

Paul Sutton, Stoke Socialist Party councillor

However, after many years as a party member and your councillor since
September 2003, I have decided to leave New Labour to join the Socialist
Party.

Myself and my brother, councillor Dave Sutton, recently spoke out
against New Labour plans to further cut and privatise jobs and services
in the city. The proposed cuts will include the closure of all the city
council-run care homes (including two in Abbey Green ward), the closure
of community centres (one in Abbey Green ward), privatisation of the
home care service and a slashing of much-needed jobs.

Dave Sutton, Stoke Socialist Party councillorFor
daring to speak out, I have been prevented by the local Labour hierarchy
from standing as your Labour candidate in the local elections in May.

Dave Sutton, Stoke Socialist Party councillor

Both Dave and myself have been suspended from the Labour Group and
threatened with expulsion from the party. These measures only further
confirm that those who are prepared to fight for the interests of
working-class people are no longer welcome within Blair’s New Labour
Party.

There is now no fundamental difference between New Labour, Tories or
Lib Dems – they all support the cutting of vital services, privatisation,
attacks on our pensions, big increases in council tax and the sacking of
workers.

It has been a difficult decision to leave the Labour Party after so
many years as a member. But I am confident we have made the right
decision to join the Socialist Party, which has a proud record locally
and nationally of fighting for working-class people not just in words
but actively.

As the first two Socialist Party councillors in Stoke-on-Trent and
with your help we will build a serious opposition to the council’s slash
and burn policies which are devastating our communities.

Yours,

Paul Sutton, Socialist Party councillor for Abbey Green
Dave Sutton, Socialist Party councillor for Tunstall