Link to this page: https://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/1119/31972
From The Socialist newspaper, 3 February 2021
Why I am attending the TUSC local elections online conference
"We need a working-class socialist alternative"
I am attending the TUSC local elections conference to support the decision to once again stand candidates under the TUSC banner. Since the Labour Party has come under the leadership and influence of Starmer and his ilk, it has moved further and further away from socialist ideas, supporting trade unions, and being a party that will fight for the working class.
I believe we need an alternative to the established political parties, but especially to the current Labour Party. We need a working-class socialist alternative, with its roots in the local communities, to get behind and campaign for. I believe TUSC is the best vehicle for this at this time, and will do whatever I can to help to get as many TUSC councillors elected locally.
Dave Rees, assistant regional secretary, PCS DWP group (personal capacity)
"We are in desperate need of change"
I am interested in standing in the election as a TUSC candidate because we are in desperate need of change. The mainstream parties are not interested in the working class, and we need an alternative, a party that stands for the workers and is united in its plans for change.
We must make people see that the only solution is to listen to the working class, and unite behind a common goal for better pay and living conditions. The other parties have had their chance and failed miserably. We need change and we need it now.
Rob Lovell, secretary RMT Southampton district bus and coach (personal capacity)
"Workers deserve a real platform for anti-austerity and socialist politics"
I'm excited about the TUSC conference. I want to be part of building the sincere voice for workers that Labour has failed to be.
Corbyn showed that socialist ideas are popular. But he was constantly undermined by the likes of Coventry's Labour council, which passed disgraceful cuts and closures with no attempt at opposition.
And now, Starmer's Labour won't even commit to a 40-hour working week. So many workers, including some Napo members, exhaust themselves working well over 40 hours. Starmer's gang shows them utter disrespect and contempt by ripping apart the policies that would improve so many lives, and suspending anyone on the left who speaks out.
Workers deserve a real platform for anti-austerity and socialist politics; on Sunday 7 February, TUSC will help build that platform.
Adam Harmsworth, Napo NEC (personal capacity)
- Come to the TUSC local elections conference to be held on Zoom on Sunday 7 February, 11:00 - 13:00, to help organise a fightback at the ballot box this May - or whenever the elections take place
- Meeting ID: 828 9659 5909
- Passcode: 645766
Donate to the Socialist Party
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.
Inevitably, during the crisis we have not been able to sell the Socialist and raise funds in the ways we normally would.
We therefore urgently appeal to all our viewers to donate to our Fighting Fund.
In The Socialist 3 February 2021:
Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition
Launching a political alternative to cuts, poverty and job losses
Why I am attending the TUSC local elections online conference
South Yorks TUSC ready for electoral fight
What we think
Workers' rights and safety: Trade union mobilisation could force more Tory U-turns
News
Socialist Students open letter to Rent Strike network
Children in care: Privatisation is not working
Multimillion-pound rental firm demands thousands from homeless asylum seeker
Covid outbreak at Kent asylum detention centre: Napier is not fit for purpose
New anti-protest law: State forces want more power to crush the protests that are coming
Workplace news
Usdaw conference stripped of democracy by leadership
Usdaw Broad Left rally brings together those campaigning for a fighting union
Strong union lead needed to stop DVLA Covid spread
HMRC: We demand a pay rise without cuts to terms and conditions
Workers fight British Gas 'fire-and-rehire' plans
Vote Steve Hedley for RMT general secretary
The NEU's 'big announcement' - lessons need to be learned
Yorkshire aerospace workers strike against pay disparity
The Communist Manifesto
The Communist Manifesto - A guide to understanding society, and how to change it
Rolls-Royce
Readers' opinion
GameStop: Billionaires hurt at their own game
International news
Covid 'vaccine wars' underline failure of capitalist nation states to deal with the global pandemic
Campaigns news
New members meeting in the South West - preparing for the battles to come
Why I rejoined the Socialist Party
Help us raise the funds to fuel the working-class fightback
Save our square: we need social housing and public services
Stop Labour council's eviction of Stratford Circus arts centre
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