Cllr Lynne Cooney, Trinity ward, Louth
I joined Labour under Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership I identified with his principles of empathy, compassion, and desire to help those who needed it the most, to support workers, the disabled, the disadvantaged. His policies resonated with me, but then came Keir Starmer. His promise to unite us became an obvious ploy to become leader, then came the expulsions, the flimsy allegations, and the purge of left-wing members.
The final straw came when Sir Keir Starmer accepted a Tory MP into the Labour ranks. How can someone go from a party so right-wing to a supposed left-wing party? Then the penny dropped.
I couldn’t stay any longer, and while I respected other local Labour members’ desire to stay in the hope that the left wing would experience a resurgence, in my heart I knew that hope was futile.
I was politically homeless, until I found the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC). Suddenly all my political principles were there and it was a no-brainer to join the cause. I had a voice again, I could fight for the working class, the disability groups which I am passionate about and advocate for.
With the cost-of-living crisis and the mounting hatred of the Tories, it seems the right time to put TUSC on the map in Louth. We organised a public meeting on 3 November. I did a few media interviews, and we delivered 1,000 leaflets in my ward and the wider town. We engaged with many interested people and some ex-Labour Party members who braved the shocking weather on the night and now want to help TUSC.
It’s given me hope from conversations that people are looking for an alternative; they understand we can’t sit on our hands any longer. It’s time to stand by our principles, be proud of what we believe in, and fight. TUSC is part of that and I am proud to be part of TUSC.
In the May elections next year, I will stand for TUSC in the local town elections in my ward, that I am proud to represent.
- Visit tusc.org.uk for more and to get involved
