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"Vote for hope and an alternative"
Ex-Labour councillor stands for TUSC in Harrow
Nana Asante, former Labour mayor and Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) prospective parliamentary candidate in Harrow East, spoke to the Socialist.
Nana Asante speaking at the 2014 TUSC conference, photo by Paul Mattsson (Click to enlarge)
Why did the split occur in the Labour Party in Harrow?
Unfortunately, Harrow Labour was betraying fundamental Labour values like equality and respect so a number of us resigned from the group and asked London Labour Party to come in and mediate to resolve the situation. We also wrote to Labour's National Executive Committee (NEC). Our complaint was not taken seriously.
Without dealing with our request for mediation, without replying to our letters to the NEC, Labour expelled us - we heard through the media before they sent us letters. We realised at that point that the Labour Party was no longer the party based on socialist values. We decided to form the Independent Labour Group.
You've managed to build up an impressive group of community supporters over the last year. Why do you think that is?
We have responded to people and organised consistently at the grassroots. We have organised meetings to deal with issues which residents told us they wanted to discuss. For example: 'How do we get back the Spirit of 45?' And 'What can we learn from the Scottish Referendum?'. We recognise that while people are fed up with the Westminster consensus, they still care very much about society and their communities.
What do you think about the Labour Party and its policies on austerity?
The Labour Party is a shell of its former self and I doubt if the founding fathers and mothers would recognise it. Although there are still Labour Party members who value Labour principles, I believe they are a minority, fighting a losing battle.
Labour seems to believe in austerity-lite rather than fighting the corner of working people and insisting that those responsible for the crisis pay for getting us out of it. If elected, Labour would pursue the same failed policies which have brought such misery to so many.
Where there is a TUSC candidate, people should vote for hope and an alternative to austerity and cuts. Syriza has shown the way and the equivalent of Labour in Greece, Pasok, took a beating in the recent elections. If you betray the people you are meant to represent, you deserve to disappear!
Why did you decide to stand for TUSC?
A coalition of left-wing socialist groups and trade unionists, TUSC is closer to my politics than any other group. I attended the TUSC conference last year and was inspired by the very real resistance to cuts being offered by councillors in Southampton. People need hope and TUSC offers it. As a coalition, TUSC makes it possible to remain part of the 'Independent Labour Group' which we are building from the ground up.
Anything else you would like to say?
TUSC candidates will deliver the sort of positive transformation that is needed. TUSC will not try to outdo Ukip on immigration, and instead will seek to have the sort of justice in the world that reduces the pressure of economic immigration. As we approach Fairtrade Fortnight, it is worth considering that if workers in other parts of the world were paid a fair wage and a fair price for their products, there would be less pressure on 'fortress Europe'.
I urge all those who believe another world is possible to vote TUSC and only consider other candidates where there is no TUSC on offer.
TUSC
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, as well as the Socialist Party and other left and anti-cuts groups and individuals.
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