28 percent for TUSC in Fleetwood


Jane Hersey
TUSC logo

The Rossall ward Fleetwood town council byelection took place on 26 September with Ray Smith standing for the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC).

GMB member Ray stood to oppose the Tory-Liberal government destroying public services and led a public campaign to keep the local hospital open. Ray used to be a Labour councillor but joined TUSC because Labour was not defending working and vulnerable people.

One supporter said: “There’s a lot of anxiety at the savage attack on people living in poverty, with disabilities, in fact all vulnerable people, by the Coalition government.

“I feel so disillusioned that Ed Miliband is not standing up for us or challenging David Cameron on his attack on the poor. Amnesty have condemned the Coalition for their attack on disabled people. Why can’t Ed Miliband?”

The election results were close, with the Conservatives getting 330, the independent candidate 287 and TUSC 235. Ray was just 95 votes short of winning, with 28% of the vote.

Ray said: “This is a good and positive result. This result is very encouraging for TUSC and something for members to work on for the future, especially towards the 2015 general election when TUSC should field as many candidates as possible.”