Enthusiasm for ten TUSC candidates across Kent

Adam Dudley, Kent Socialist Party

Since the first Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition candidate for the local elections in Kent was announced, the idea of a slate of trade unionists, anti-cuts campaigners and socialists across Kent has really taken off.

In just over three weeks, one candidate became ten, standing in nine wards for seats in Medway, Folkestone and Dover.

As word began to spread, more and more people stepped forward to support the campaign and to stand as candidates themselves. In Folkestone, at the launch meeting of the Shepway campaign against all cuts (SCAAC), two new candidates stepped forward.

Adam Stewart, a young anti-racism campaigner, will contest the Harbour ward and Roy Blake, facing expulsion from the Labour Party for his decision to stand, will offer a clear no-cuts programme for voters in Morehall.

In Dover, Peter McHugh, a PCS shop steward, having torn up his own Labour Party membership card, is campaigning in Buckland ward for the district and council seats.

These campaigners join Eric Segal, chair of SCAAC, Seth Cruse for Cheriton ward and five candidates across Medway. The response from the trade union movement and members of the public has been outstanding - helping us raise £1,000 to produce 60,000 leaflets and hundreds of posters.

We're meeting new people all the time who volunteer to give out leaflets, put up posters and canvass with us.

With the campaigns now in full swing, whatever the votes on the day, we're proving our point - when politicians refuse to offer any alternative to the programme of cuts and privatisation, ordinary people can and will stand to offer genuine working class representation.

Kent Socialist Party: London's burning - defend communities; For a decent future for young people

Kent Socialist Party: What next for the anti-cuts movement?

Striking Newport signals workers

Occupation in Kent

TUSC:

Building the electoral alternative in Brent

London elections - TUSC: A marker for future struggles

Election results: How did TUSC do?

Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition local election reports

Cuts:

Bristol East Socialist Party: There is an Alternative

Demo against cuts at Salford university

Walthamstow Socialist Party: France - Greece - Austerity rejected!

Dover:

School students strike in Dover

Dover trade unions against privatisation

Dover docks strikes