About

People voted for Labour in Waltham Forest council to protect us from the Con-Dems’ viscous cuts.

But Labour councillors have wept crocodile tears while passing on the cuts, implementing the bedroom tax, and sacking staff. Have no illusion that Ukip will offer an alternative – they are a rich man’s party too.
It’s not true that councillors have no choice. They can choose to make a stand – defy the Tories, say no to cuts!

And it’s no different at national level. Ed Miliband could win the election for Labour tomorrow if he promised that in government they would end all cuts, renationalise the railways and utilities, kick private companies out of our NHS, embark on a mass programme of council house building etc, etc. But he won’t do that because he believes in the system as it is – where the rich get richer and the poor get poorer.
The Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) was set up to enable trade unionists, anti-cuts campaigners and socialists to stand candidates against all the main parties.
In May 2014 TUSC stood 33 candidates in every ward in Waltham Forest – local residents, campaigners, workers and trade unionists. We got 5,482 votes in total – a great start.

Since then we’ve continued campaigning against all cuts and for rent control. Now we’re preparing our challenge for the general election.
See TUSC’s national website for more

All TUSC councillors will:

● Oppose all cuts to council jobs, services, pay and conditions – we reject the claim that ‘some cuts’ are necessary to our services.

● Support all workers’ struggles against the cuts, privatisation and the government’s policy of making ordinary people pay for the crisis caused by the bankers and the bosses.

● Reject increases in council tax, rent and service charges to compensate for government cuts.

● Defend the national collective bargaining arrangements for council workers.

● Vote against the privatisation of council jobs and services, or the transfer of council services to ‘social enterprises’ or ‘arms-length’ management organisations, which are first steps to privatisation.

● Oppose racism and fascism and stand up for equality for all.

● Use all the legal powers available to councils, including powers to refer local NHS decisions, initiate referenda and organise public commissions and consultations, to oppose both the cuts and government polices which centrally impose the transfer of public services to private bodies.

● Campaign for the introduction of a Living Wage above and beyond the minimum wage for all council employees and those working for council contractors.

● When faced with government cuts to council funding, councils should refuse to implement the cuts. We will support councils which in the first instance use their reserves and prudential borrowing powers to avoid passing them on – while arguing that the best way to mobilise the mass campaign that is necessary to defeat the cuts is to set a budget that meets the needs of the local community and demands that the government makes up the shortfall.

● Support action against climate change and for a future where sustainability comes before profit.

We won’t pay for their crisis!