Yesterday, outside Salford Civic Centre, Salford Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) launched its local election campaign where it is standing on a `no cuts' policy in 18 local wards.
One of its candidates, Michelle O'Mahoney, explained why she is standing in Irlam this year...
"I've decided to stand as I have a ten year boy who is disabled, he has a rare condition" she said "and I'm quite disgusted at all the cuts that have been done towards the vulnerable. I don't think people realise the effect it has on, not just the children, but the families.
"Money should be put towards services for the vulnerable in the community instead of being taken away and that's why I have decided to stand" she added "People should vote for TUSC because it's right for Salford. We've all got the one aim which is to stop the cuts which are affecting, not just the disabled but families, households and all the community. That's why I think people should get behind us and support us.
"Too many people sit and moan about `Oh this happening in Salford' without actually doing anything about it" she insisted "So get behind us and let's do this fight together. Labour should definitely be challenged."
Meanwhile, the Salford Socialist Party, which is part of the TUSC coalition, has put out a statement about the withdrawal of the TUSC candidate from the mayoral election, blaming `some left activists' who want to give the Labour party candidate, Paul Dennett, a `free run'...
"The Socialist Party believes that workers' strength lies in their own organisations, like the trade unions" it explains "Salford City Unison has been at the forefront of battling attacks on pay and terms and conditions for workers, services and the right of the union itself to organise. Without this pressure and the actions of members, including strike action, workers would have had no voice and no power to stop vicious attacks, more of which can be expected over the next few years.
"However, we also believe that workers are fighting with one hand tied behind their back if they also do not have political representation" it adds "It was for this reason that the Socialist Party wanted TUSC to stand widely in the council elections and in the mayoral election. Unfortunately, some left activists felt that Paul Dennett, Labour mayoral candidate, should be given a free run and that was reflected in parts of TUSC.
"The Socialist Party disagrees but has stood down on this occasion in the interests of unity" it states "Sadly, there will be no TUSC candidate bringing an anti-austerity, socialist message in the mayoral election. The Socialist Party thinks this is a mistake.
"We campaign in Salford all year round and find huge anger amongst working class people against the cuts and the lack of resistance from our elected representatives" it continued "We are active in Salford Against Cuts and have supported service user-led campaigns. No councillor has lead a struggle on any of these issues - we need councillors and a mayor who are willing to fight. People want change.
"Anti-austerity ideas are popular and we believe there needs to be that alternative at the ballot box" it concludes "We will continue to enthusiastically build TUSC, fighting for the best possible votes for our 18 council candidates across Salford, and will continue to support workers and community campaigners in the fight against council cuts."
Meanwhile, the Socialist Party waded into Paul Dennett under the title `Salford under new management?'...
"Many people will be enthusiastically looking towards Ian Stewart stepping down - his arrogant `self-tribute' presentation said it all" it states "Understandably, many council workers and service users will be hoping that Paul Dennett, Labour's candidate and likely to be the next city mayor, will represent a welcome change in approach. However, when the Tories are aiming to destroy local government, what is needed is a change in policy, not just a change in style. We need a fightback.
"Some may think that Paul Dennett will do this but, given his record of voting for cuts every year since elected, we remain unconvinced" it adds "His 'pledges' and 'priorities' on election material do not offer any genuine, concrete anti-austerity policies for local government. When cuts happen, people lose their jobs and services go, it does not matter whether these cuts are carried out enthusiastically or with "a heavy heart". For the Socialist Party, the fundamental issue is whether working class people are being attacked or not.
"Paul Dennett supported Jeremy Corbyn in his leadership election...The Socialist Party welcomed Corbyn's anti-austerity message but pointed out that he would need to fight for his policies to be taken up by elected Labour representatives" it explains "Only 4% of Labour councillors supported Corbyn, so it is positive that Paul Dennett was one of them. However, if this is to mean anything, he will need to bring those anti-austerity policies to Salford by leading a genuine fight against the cuts. As Mayor, Paul Dennett would have significant power to put forward anti-austerity
policies. The unions, council workers and the people of Salford would need to put huge pressure on him to ensure he uses his position to this end."
The missive ends with five demands which it wants Dennett to pledge to support...
•Defend trade union rights against council officers and central government
•Stop and reverse austerity - set a no-cuts budget, in line with UNISON and Unite national policy
•Sign the council up to Unison's Ethical Care Charter, guaranteeing a living wage, sick pay and paid travel time for carers
•Refuse any contracts with companies that have blacklisted trade unionists
•Say no to all fracking in Salford
* For details of all the parties standing in the Local Election - click here
.JPG)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
(3).jpeg)
.png)
(1).JPG)
