Merseyside TUSC says: End disenfranchisement of working class

A press release from Merseyside Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC)

New Labour attack on Len McCluskey and Unite the Union

The latest scandalous and unwarranted attacks by Miliband and his New Labour colleagues on Unite the Union in general and on Len McCluskey in particular, confirm beyond doubt that Labour can no longer be considered as the party representing the working class.

We believe Miliband is more concerned with showing the Con-Dem government and its kept media that he can be tough with the unions as proof of his loyalty to capitalism.

We don't believe it is an accident that the attacks on Unite take place only days after Balls and Miliband declared their intention of sticking to the Con-Dems' vicious programme of austerity if and when they are elected.

This attack is a signal to the unions that Miliband/Balls will tolerate no intervention from organised labour to their policy of cuts and austerity, while leaving the bankers free to gorge themselves on huge salaries and bonuses, and allowing the tax dodgers to continue with business as usual.

This means the working class is effectively disenfranchised.

Union history

If we look back at history, just over 100 years ago the trade unions were affiliated to the Liberal Party.

When that party didn't represent the working class the trade unions formed the Labour Party. We should learn from history.

The trade unions must now recognise that the Labour Party has abandoned them and has switched its allegiance to the bosses and it is time to start again with building working class representation.

These events underline the urgency of making a political challenge to the three main capitalist parties, posing a clear socialist alternative to the crazed Con-Dem policies which are based on the gigantic lie that 'there is no money left'.

There is £750 billion lying uninvested in British banks, £800 billion of taxpayers' money has been used to bail out the banks that caused the crisis, and £13 trillion is in offshore bank accounts free from taxation on profits earned in the UK.

TUSC offers a clear socialist political challenge and aims to challenge for all council seats on Merseyside in 2014.

We call on all working class and community organisations engaged in struggle against the bedroom tax and against austerity to submit names of those prepared to stand in future elections against those MPs and councillors who support this most monstrous attack on the working class for 100 years.

Working class people do not need to suffer.

For further information contact: [email protected]

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Finance appeal

The coronavirus crisis has laid bare the class character of society in numerous ways. It is making clear to many that it is the working class that keeps society running, not the CEOs of major corporations.

The results of austerity have been graphically demonstrated as public services strain to cope with the crisis.

The government has now ripped up its 'austerity' mantra and turned to policies that not long ago were denounced as socialist. But after the corona crisis, it will try to make the working class pay for it, by trying to claw back what has been given.

The Socialist Party's material is more vital than ever, so we can continue to report from workers who are fighting for better health and safety measures, against layoffs, for adequate staffing levels, etc.
When the health crisis subsides, we must be ready for the stormy events ahead and the need to arm workers' movements with a socialist programme - one which puts the health and needs of humanity before the profits of a few.