Noreen Younis, Southampton Socialist Party
We’ve been fighting to elect Nadia Ditta. But we need a voice for Bevois, no matter who wins the election. This is what we discussed at our Socialist Party pre-election meeting of 30 people.
We stood with Nadia in 2024. We canvassed and introduced the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC). We listened to the community about their issues.
When the Labour council tried to take away our only green space – known as the ‘Venny’ to locals – we protested with the local community and Nadia to save it. This resulted in forcing the Labour council to actually invest in the Venny.
This proved to locals that we listen. This is what people told us when we knocked their doors.
In 2024, we came second to Labour, with an amazing 848 votes, showing people we can make a difference.
The change we noticed, knocking doors in 2026, is people already know about TUSC, remember Nadia Ditta, and agree we need change.
“We have had enough of Labour lies, not doing anything. We need someone who can be our voice.”
It’s amazing that more youth want change. They feel there no safe space where they can go, play, and socialise.
People are fed up of fly-tipping, anti-social behaviour, drugs, and drinking on streets. Many say they are willing to vote anyone else, but not Labour. So we are a real alternative.
If we win, Nadia will put a motion to the first council meeting to restore free bulk waste collection, cut by Labour. If we don’t win, we’ll still be protesting for what our community needs.
In 2024, local women were empowered to come out and use their voice for Nadia. In 2026, people from the local community are ready for a change. Our meeting said: “This is just the beginning to our change.”
