Bevois – Southampton election
Sue Atkins, Southampton Socialist Party
One of the candidates standing for the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) – fighting for ‘people’s budgets’ to provide the services we need – is Socialist Party member Nadia Ditta in Bevois ward in Southampton. In the 2024 council elections, she won 854 votes, coming second to Labour. Before then it was Labour’s safest seat in the city.
As part of her campaign, Nadia organised a ‘Ladies Tea Party’ to talk to women in the ward, and hear what they expected from their elected councillor. The room was booked for Saturday afternoon. 150 samosas and piles of cake were made.
But, we began to worry when only a handful arrived at 2pm. However, by 3pm the room was packed, with standing room only.
Over 70 women, some with babes in arms and toddlers in buggies, had gathered to hear Nadia’s message – opposing war in Gaza and the Middle East, and linking this to the war in people’s homes, as they struggle to put food on the table, pay the rent, and build a future for their children.
Nadia has come to make a difference, and build on the recent success. Nadia and Socialist Party led the campaign that forced the Labour council to refurbish the local ‘Venny’ adventure playground. Previously, they had said there was no money, and planned to close it.
Nadia asked the audience about what they wanted from their councillor. The reply was that they wanted someone to fight for the needs of the community, including:
- Stop fly-tipping
- Rent controls and registration of landlords
- Council-run youth clubs, and the children said they need a football pitch
- Full school funding, and free school meals for all
However, this will be a team effort, especially getting Nadia elected on 7 May. The mood in the room was that they want to get involved to help make this happen.
We also heard from Sakina, a local teaching assistant, and Sayma, a police community support officer. They both explained the struggles they had had in reaching their goals in life. They were there to support Nadia fighting for what we need, not what the other politicians say we can afford.
There was then plenty of time for tea and talk, and by 5pm 150 samosas and piles of cake had all disappeared.
Help the campaign:
- Every Sunday until the election
- Election day 7 May
- Anytime!
- Contact Socialist Party organiser Nick Chaffey 07833 681 910
