Vote Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition
Nadia Ditta, Southampton Socialist Party and TUSC candidate in Bevois ward
It feels like everyone we speak to is fed up with Keir Starmer’s Labour and their failings. People are angry, many are struggling and tired of trying to survive – now facing a new cost-of-living crisis.
Two years ago, in the 2024 local elections, we nearly beat Labour in what was once their safest seat in the south. Then, even before Starmer had got into Downing Street, lots of our supporters were angry at his support for the Israeli state’s genocidal siege on Gaza.
We met hundreds of people who were angry about war in the Middle East, and fighting wars in their own homes to keep up with the rising cost of living and to keep food on the table.
Since, we have campaigned to save the only green space in our neighbourhood – and won! The Labour council had planned to sell ‘the Venny’ adventure playground. Our campaigning forced them into spending money to restore it. Now hundreds of children use the park.
We are fighting against all the cuts, and know that to improve our area will mean a fight for funding. It’s in the news every day the bumper profits for oil bosses, as well as all the billions being spent on wars. People can see through the lie that ‘there isn’t any money for services’.
In our area, people want to deal with fly-tipping first, we are fighting to reinstate free bulk waste collection. We are also fighting to restore and invest in youth services, as well as for rent controls.
Labour locally are trying to use the threat of Reform to save their own skins. But our message of a united working-class fightback against the cost-of-living crisis is what can really cut across their support. And in Bevois, it’s getting a real echo!
If you’re in Bevois, vote for me. Where you can, vote for TUSC. Let’s beat Labour and their cuts!
- Socialist Party members are among the 300 candidates standing for the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition on 7 May, in the Welsh Senedd, Scottish Parliament and English local elections
