What difference does it make to have a RESPECT Councillor elected?
0 Comments Published by Tom Woodcock on Saturday, April 21, 2007 at 1:22 PM.
In last year's council elections, Respect made a number of spectacular breakthroughs, winning 12 councillors in Tower Hamlets and 3 in Newham.
Rania Khan in Tower Hamlets became Britain's youngest councillor, while in Preston Michael Lavalette is the North-West's best known councillor. In Birmingham, Salma Yaqoob won a council seat with an extraordinary 51% of the vote.
People in those areas have really felt the difference. For the first time in living memory they can easily access councillors' surgeries in their wards.
While councils under Labour, the Tories and the Liberal Democrats all put the interests of private profit before public need, Respect councillors work tirelessly to defend council housing, schools and hospitals.
In Preston, Respect has been instrumental in passing legislation to protect the environment and to ensure employment rights for out-sourced work.
In Tower Hamlets and Newham, New Labour now find themselves facing real opposition for the first time. No longer are they able to roll over ordinary people in the interests of their fat-cat friends. Respect councillors ask the questions that need to be asked, whether it's about the budget, council housing or discrimination.
In areas like Sunderland, Calderdale, the East Midlands and Sheffield, key activists – including a number of former and sitting councillors – are leaving Labour and the Liberal Democrats to stand as Respect candidates.
Rania Khan in Tower Hamlets became Britain's youngest councillor, while in Preston Michael Lavalette is the North-West's best known councillor. In Birmingham, Salma Yaqoob won a council seat with an extraordinary 51% of the vote.
People in those areas have really felt the difference. For the first time in living memory they can easily access councillors' surgeries in their wards.
While councils under Labour, the Tories and the Liberal Democrats all put the interests of private profit before public need, Respect councillors work tirelessly to defend council housing, schools and hospitals.
In Preston, Respect has been instrumental in passing legislation to protect the environment and to ensure employment rights for out-sourced work.
In Tower Hamlets and Newham, New Labour now find themselves facing real opposition for the first time. No longer are they able to roll over ordinary people in the interests of their fat-cat friends. Respect councillors ask the questions that need to be asked, whether it's about the budget, council housing or discrimination.
In areas like Sunderland, Calderdale, the East Midlands and Sheffield, key activists – including a number of former and sitting councillors – are leaving Labour and the Liberal Democrats to stand as Respect candidates.
Labels: Local Respect
The Key issues in the Local election.
0 Comments Published by Tom Woodcock on Saturday, April 14, 2007 at 12:39 PM.
Global issues are key in the local elections because climate change, war and privatisation are proving the greatest threat to our local communities.
Blair’s commitment to George Bush’s Oil War is in direct contradiction to sustainable development, international relations and tackling poverty at home and abroad. Gordon Brown talks of eradicating poverty yet he offers tax breaks to corporations whilst attacking workers pensions and pay.
The link to local issues is simple – capitalism and the free market! Foundation hospitals, stock transfer of council housing, city academies and trust schools means our services are being run for profit by the same multinationals who are asset stripping Iraq and the global south.
The three main parties will not be making the link between the governments policies and the local impact of the street not being cleaned, the bus route being cut, the cost of dental treatment and prescriptions or the unaffordable housing that is being built on the last bit of open space in the community. Why? Because all of the other have little or no principled commitment to democratically owned and run public services.
The majority position on the doorstep in most of the country will be - why should I vote for any of them? In Romsey we are offering a positive alternative for peace, public services, anti racism and sustainability! If you cannot vote for Respect in your area then quiz your candidates on the democratic accountability of our public services before you make your choice!
Blair’s commitment to George Bush’s Oil War is in direct contradiction to sustainable development, international relations and tackling poverty at home and abroad. Gordon Brown talks of eradicating poverty yet he offers tax breaks to corporations whilst attacking workers pensions and pay.
The link to local issues is simple – capitalism and the free market! Foundation hospitals, stock transfer of council housing, city academies and trust schools means our services are being run for profit by the same multinationals who are asset stripping Iraq and the global south.
The three main parties will not be making the link between the governments policies and the local impact of the street not being cleaned, the bus route being cut, the cost of dental treatment and prescriptions or the unaffordable housing that is being built on the last bit of open space in the community. Why? Because all of the other have little or no principled commitment to democratically owned and run public services.
The majority position on the doorstep in most of the country will be - why should I vote for any of them? In Romsey we are offering a positive alternative for peace, public services, anti racism and sustainability! If you cannot vote for Respect in your area then quiz your candidates on the democratic accountability of our public services before you make your choice!
Labels: Local Respect
