How do we vote to stop the cuts?

THE TRADE Unionist and Socialist Coalition’s (TUSC) steering committee met on the eve of the TUC congress. They heard reports on where the participating organisations and leading trade unionists now stand in relation to TUSC, set up this year to contest the general election.

RMT transport union executive member, Craig Johnston, on TUSC’s steering committee in a personal capacity, reported on June’s RMT conference decision to endorse the executive’s backing of 21 TUSC candidates at the general election. The job now, he said, was to promote TUSC in anti-cuts campaigning, ready for elections next year.

Clive Heemskerk reported that the Socialist Party still saw the TUSC coalition as an important part of the anti-cuts movement. Nothing that has transpired since the election answers the question: ‘what do we do at the ballot box to fight the cuts?’ The Socialist Workers Party (SWP) representative said they were committed to TUSC and would seek to run candidates under its banner in May 2011.

PCS civil service union vice-president, John McInally, present in a personal capacity, reported on efforts to create the broadest possible trade union resistance to the cuts. He also gave an update on the PCS consultation process underway on how to develop the union’s political campaigning.

The meeting also discussed how participants saw TUSC developing, including how structures could be created to allow local campaign groups and individuals to participate in national decision-making.

A conference for local groups planning to stand candidates in the 2011 council elections will be held in January. A draft local elections policy statement will be circulated to local groups for discussion.