Lambeth byelection: TUSC beats Ukip and Tories

'Tough decisions' and 'hard choices' seem to be the stock replies by Labour in Lambeth, south London, when questioned about their diet of endless cuts.

In reality the hard choices and tough decisions are being made daily by people burdened with low wages, the bedroom tax, benefits caps and overcrowding.

That's why the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) stood in the Tulse Hill byelection and offered a socialist alternative to the misery of cuts and austerity.

Our approach went down well on the estates and streets of an area blighted by recession. TUSC came fourth with 74 votes (3.3%) and beat both the Tories and Ukip.

More importantly, we made contact with dozens of local people who want to see a serious fightback against a Labour council hell bent on passing on government cuts.

TUSC now has a target of standing in at least ten Lambeth wards in the council elections next year.

Steve Nally, Tulse Hill TUSC candidate

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, and socialist groups including the Socialist Party.

www.tusc.org.uk

Brent

30 people attended the Brent TUSC meeting on 23 July, with speakers including Steve Hedley, RMT assistant general secretary, Hank Roberts, Association of Teachers and Lecturers national president and Brent ATL Secretary (personal capacity) , Helen Davies - Barnet Unison and Unison NEC (personal capacity), Nancy Taaffe - Waltham Forest TUSC candidate and Isabel Counihan-Sanchez, housing campaigner.

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