Kirsty Denman, Mansfield Socialist Party
Socialist Party members in Mansfield have been busy preparing for two elections in two weeks – the 4 July general election and the 20 June by-election for West Bank ward, Mansfield District Council.
Socialist Party member Karen Seymour is running in both, as part of the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC).
At our Socialist Party branch meetings we have been discussing which policy points are of most importance locally, based on discussions we have with people in the workers’ movement and on our town centre campaign stalls. We have opted to focus on social housing, low pay, higher education funding, and cuts to local services.
Within a few days of the elections being called we had designed, edited, and finalised the wording our leaflets, booked the venue for our first public meeting, and sent the leaflets to the printers. By the end of the week, we had our shiny new leaflets in hand.
We held our first public meeting on the 10 June. Karen spoke of the fightback needed to reverse the decades of cuts to vital services leaving the most vulnerable members of society struggling to fend for themselves.
She spoke of the need for a major council house building programme, for the council and its contractors to pay workers at least £15 an hour, and for fully funded higher education with grants to cover living costs. Those present shared their personal experiences, resonating with the need for socialist change to reverse the cuts made by the Tories and Labour.
There is still lots to do. We have more public meetings planned – the day before both elections. We continue to run our campaign stalls and a dedicated team of doorknockers. Everyone is helping to spread the word on social media too.
