Russell Brand strikes a chord

A letter in the 21 October issue of The Independent:

Yasmin Alibhai-Brown (20 October) is probably right that Russell Brand is a "dilettante". But he challenges the status quo and stands up for those who are on its sharp end, like the young mothers in Newham.

So he strikes a chord with tens of thousands of young - and older - people. Does anyone think that a book by Ed Miliband, who can't even bring himself to support strike action by teachers or nurses, would fly off the shelves like Revolution is doing?

Alibhai-Brown is appalled that Brand won't vote. Yet we all know that millions will abstain in the general election next year. Why? Because there is nothing to choose between the policies of three, now four, pro-big-business parties.

We need a party for the men and women who aren't part of the corporate elite, a party for trade unionists, NHS users, pensioners, the low-paid, immigrants and young people who need decent jobs and homes. When there's a real choice, and a chance to make a difference, you'll get high turnouts, as we saw in Scotland's referendum.

Nobody I know is sitting around "awaiting the revolution". We're defending services, fighting cuts, striking for a living wage, standing in elections as anti-cuts candidates for the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC), offering people an alternative. We got 10 per cent in Salford last year. If we had PR we'd have a councillor or two.

Alibhai-Brown's "institutional overhaul" of Parliament won't bring them flocking to the polling stations - but a clear stand and a socialist alternative is like a breath of fresh air for the disenfranchised.

Paul Gerrard, Chair, Salford against Cuts, Manchester

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