2015 election appeal: Back the real opposition to brutal austerity

Scott Jones, Llanelli TUSC prospective parliamentary candidate

In the face of brutal austerity from the Con-Dem government in Westminster, passed on by a Labour assembly government and Labour councils in Wales, a record-breaking eight Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) candidates are standing in Wales for the general election this year.

At the Socialist Party Wales annual conference in Cardiff, a total of £4,750 was pledged from just 35 attendees to launch its election appeal, as part of the Socialist Party’s effort to raise £50,000 to fund election campaigning across England and Wales.

This fantastic achievement included £300 from a care worker and sums of £40 from two students. A massive £500 was pledged by an NHS worker despite years of pay freezes or below inflation rises. Another £500 was donated by someone who received the sum as a Christmas bonus.

Education

Swansea West TUSC candidate Ronnie Job works for a local college and donated £100: “Cuts in Wales have passed through the hands of every party in the Senedd (Wales Assembly). Lacking an outright majority, Labour has needed Plaid Cymru and the Welsh Liberal Democrats to pass their cuts budget.

“These cuts are devastating education, the NHS and local authority services. That’s why TUSC needs to give as many people in Wales as possible the chance to vote for a socialist, no cuts alternative.”

Amy, a low-waged fast food worker, has pledged £40 “to scrap zero-hour contracts”. Rob Owen, secretary of Llanelli Trades Council has pledged £50 “to fight for £10 an hour minimum wage”.

As a TUSC candidate myself, I put my money where my mouth is and donated too.

I work for a major supermarket that is attacking its workers left, right and centre and without a political party that represents working people we are fighting with one hand tied behind our back. TUSC unashamedly supports trade unions and workers in struggle.


The Socialist Party is aiming to raise £50,000 to fund election campaigning

The Socialist Party is aiming to raise £50,000 to fund election campaigning   (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)

Thanks also to Roger Bradley and Anne McAreavey who have to donated £250, Mark Evans £30, Roxanna Whitemoor £100, Pete McNally £250, Linda Thraves £250, Alec Thraves £100, Dave Salt £20, and John Vasey £200.

You can donate at www.socialistparty.org.uk/donate, phone 020 8988 8777 to make a card payment, or post a cheque made out to “Socialist Party” to PO Box 24697, London E11 1YD. Please mark your donation “election appeal 2015”.