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From: The Socialist issue 899, 27 April 2016: Bring down the Tories - fight cuts - vote TUSC

Search site for keywords: Elections - Anti-austerity - Austerity - Socialist - Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition - TUSC - Candidates - Welsh Assembly - Parliament - RMT - Election - Councillors - Council elections - Bob Crow - Roger Bannister - Wales - South West Wales - South West - Socialist Party - Liverpool

Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition

An anti-austerity alternative on the ballot paper

UNISON and TUSC activists in solidarity with junior hospital doctors in Salford, 26.4.16, photo Paul Gerrard (Click to enlarge)

The Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) is standing candidates for elections to the Scottish Parliament, the Welsh Assembly, and sixty English local councils on 5 May.

TUSC has been fielding candidates on a 100% anti-austerity platform since its formation in 2010, co-founded by the late general secretary of the RMT transport workers' union, Bob Crow.

Obviously the political situation has changed since then, with Jeremy Corbyn's election last autumn as Labour leader. TUSC has been clear that it would not stand candidates against Labour politicians who have resisted austerity.

But the big majority of Labour members of the Scottish Parliament, Welsh Assembly and local councillors did not support Jeremy Corbyn for leader and still continue to implement cuts to jobs and services. They cannot be surprised if they now face a challenge from a trade unionist and socialist anti-austerity candidate at the ballot box.

Candidates

There are six Scottish TUSC candidates standing for constituency seats in the Scottish parliament. One is the branch secretary of Glasgow Unison, Brian Smith, who is standing in Glasgow Cathcart. For the Welsh Assembly elections TUSC is standing in three of the five regional list seats. In South West Wales the list is headed by former RMT national executive member Owen Herbert.

In the English council elections there will be 302 TUSC candidates contesting seats in 52 of the 124 local authorities with scheduled elections in May. In addition there are five TUSC candidates standing in by-elections in councils without full elections this year and three TUSC candidates contesting parish council seats.

Lastly, TUSC is standing in two of the three Mayoral contests outside London taking place on 5 May, with Unison national executive member Roger Bannister standing in Liverpool and Socialist Party member Tom Baldwin in Bristol.

And other articles on our elections page:

http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/webpage/26/election-reports

Also see www.tusc.org.uk

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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.