Middlesbrough TUSC campaign

Middlesbrough TUSC campaign

John Malcolm is standing for TUSC in the Middlesbrough constituency byelection on 29 November. Here is an extract from his election leaflet:

The economic crisis was triggered by the reckless gambling of irresponsible bankers, not by overspending on public sector jobs and services. So why are we paying for it in jobs and services? The bankers are not paying, their bonus culture continues. A clear case of punishing the victims, not the criminals!

The Tories and their friends in big business are using the economic crisis as a smokescreen, to launch an ideological war against the public sector. They are plundering the public sector: government services, council services and the NHS alike, for the benefit of big business and private profit.

Worst yet to come

The cuts we have seen so far are nothing compared to what the Con-Dem government have planned. It is estimated that less than 20% have been implemented. Yet already they have slashed jobs and services and attacked the benefits of the disabled, unemployed, pensioners and families. Will anyone escape? Yes! The big business and billionaire tax avoiders will escape.

Not only have Labour failed to oppose the cuts. Labour councils have implemented them, cutting thousands of jobs and services that we rely on. They have promised to continue the cuts, the privatisations, and the job losses. The handful of Labour councillors who have stood up to be counted and have opposed cuts have been disciplined and even expelled from the Labour Party.

The Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) is an electoral alliance that stands candidates against all cuts and privatisation. It involves the RMT transport workers’ union, leading members of other trade unions including the PCS, NUT and POA, the Socialist Party and the Socialist Workers Party. Check www.tusc.org.uk and www.socialistparty.org.uk for election results and reports.