TUSC candidates march to Save Stafford hospital - VIDEO

VOTE TUSC ON 2nd MAY!

PUBLIC MEETING - 50,000 March to Defend Stafford Hospital - But Where Next?

This march was a magnificent response to the government’s decision to put Stafford hospital into administration only five days before! These unelected butchers say they will consult local people about what services to keep. Saturday’s 50,000 strong street ‘consultation’ told them all they needed to know – Save Stafford hospital!

This massive protest, organised by Save Stafford Hospital, also reflected a growing anger at the government’s plans to cut, close or privatise as much of the NHS as they can get away with. Private vultures are circling overhead waiting to swoop on the rich pickings that will become available if the ConDems get away with their plans.

This march along with other similar recent marches in Lewisham and Whittington sends out a clear message – that a movement of mass opposition can be built and can stop the government’s attempt to dismantle the NHS.

But how do we build such a movement? – What’s the next step after the march?

Please come along to add your views to this important discussion

Butlers Bell in Stafford town centre Gaolgate Street, ST16 2NT

(we are awaiting confirmation of a more suitable venue for future meetings!)

this Wednesday 24 April at 7.30pm

All Welcome

Stafford Fights Back

¹

by stokesocialists • anti-cuts

Accumulated anger at years of attacks on Stafford Hospital and it’s hard working staff erupted onto the streets of Stafford on Saturday 20 April.

Up to 50,000 marched to defend Stafford hospital in a town with a population of just 63,000. This was probably the biggest demonstration seen in the West Midlands for decades and they filled the long road to Stafford Hospital three times over.

This is just the overspill from Market Square where the march started

 A massive cheer greeted the front line hospital staff banner as they carried it into Market Square to lead the march. These were some of the workers who have been pilloried for more than four years by the mass media and political leaders of all three parties for their ‘failures’ at Stafford hospital. This march will go down in history as a determined response to their lies and distortion and a massive show of support for the staff at Stafford hospital and the entire NHS itself.

“I don’t know if you’ve been told, Stafford hospital will not fold” sang hundreds of young people as they marched up Weston Rd to the hospital. Pensioners marched and applauded.

John from Doxey told Socialist Party, “Now it’s our turn to tell the world that we are proud of Stafford hospital and we will fight to keep it “

Jo from Stafford told us, “What else can we do? It can’t end here. I can’t wait for the next march!”

Sam who works at Stafford hospital said, “I was kind of dragged here by my mother-in-law but now I feel very proud to be here.”

Mandy, from Stoke asked her three year old grandson, Carson,

“Did you go on the march yesterday?”

“Yes I did” he replied.

Mandy “What were you marching for?”

Carson, “To save my hospital”

What a magnificent response this demonstration was to the government’s decision to put Stafford hospital into administration only five days before. These unelected butchers say they will consult local people about what services to keep. Yesterday’s 50,000 strong street ‘consultation’ told them all they needed to know – Save Stafford hospital!

But this massive protest, organised by Save Stafford Hospital, also reflected a growing anger at the government’s plans to cut, close or privatise as much of the NHS as they can get away with. Private vultures are circling overhead waiting to swoop on the rich pickings that will become available if the ConDems get away with their plans.

From 1 April, the Con-Dems Health and Social Care Act ended the government’s duty to provide comprehensive free healthcare and freed the NHS from parliamentary control.

Primary care trusts are replaced by 211 clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) to decide who to treat, who provides the treatment and what is free at the point of delivery. Private companies will bid for CCG contracts. With further NHS finance cuts ahead, we are likely to see the restriction of free care.

Already, under successive Tory, Labour and Con-Dem governments, a big business ‘culture’ has been pushed down the throats of the NHS resulting in the privatisation of most non-medical and some medical services in the NHS, with horrifying results for both patients and health workers. Hard working NHS staff are then routinely blamed for any problems their policies have created.

Yesterday’s march along with other similar recent marches in Lewisham and Whittington sends out a clear message – that a movement of mass opposition can be built and can stop their attempt to dismantle the NHS.

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Trade Unionist & Socialist Coalition Stand Anti-Cuts Candidates Across Staffordshire!

The Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) are standing candidates in the Staffordshire County Council elections for the first time ever. TUSC believes this is necessary to provide an alternative to the job losses, cuts, closures and privatisation policies of the big three parties – Tory, Lib Dem and Labour Party.

Below, TUSC candidates across Staffordshire explain why they will be standing to

provide a real alternative;

In Stafford:

• Josie Shelley is the TUSC Candidate in Stafford North. Josie says,

“I am 44 and I have lived in Staffordshire all my life and in the North End
of Stafford for 31 years. I have worked for both the Fire Service and
Staffordshire County Council and more recently in the voluntary sector.
I have also been active in my local community and for a while I was the
secretary of our local residents group. At the moment I am unemployed
due to disability whilst at the same time being a full time carer.

I am standing as a TUSC candidate as I strongly believe that the working class in this country are no longer being represented and I would be proud to speak up for the people in my area who, like me, are struggling as a result of the current vicious anti- working class policies. I also want to show that anyone can fight back regardless of their circumstances or disabilities.”

am standing as a TUSC candidate as I strongly believe that the working class in this

• John Barbrook is TUSC candidate in Stafford South East

“I am 34 and work as a NHS Librarian at Stafford Hospital, previously a social project worker and small business owner. I am standing because there is no left socialist alternative to the present right wing and centrist parties.

I feel that our society has been gradually leaving behind those in our communities that need help the most. The unemployed, disabled, poor, sick, young, old and alternative members of our society are ignored, demonised and then exploited.Councils need a strong socialist voice to hold them to account, to stop the endless ill-thought out centrally mandated cuts to vital council services and to stand up for those who cannot stand up themselves.” (standing in a personal capacity)

• Jim Reading is TUSC candidate in Stafford Central

“I am a 53 year old teacher of English and NUT rep who has worked at King Edward VI High School in Stafford for 17 years. I have lived in the town for thirty five years and previously worked at St Georges Hospital as a Domestic Assistant where I was Chairperson of the local health union branch (NUPE). The branch ran a number of campaigns against the dismantling of the mental health unit in the 1980s – this included building links with other unions, strikes and demonstrations through the town.

Whilst there I was also involved in the successful anti-poll tax campaign of the early 1990s – Stafford anti-poll tax union effectively defended hundreds of people who were threatened with court action at the time.

My decision to stand as a TUSC councillor in the county council elections was motivated by ConDem attacks on the public sector – particularly education and health – and the Labour Party’s unwillingness to defend our interests. For me there now seems no alternative – we have to oppose this government ourselves!

If we want the welfare state and all the other gains made by the working class during the 20th century and beyond to not only remain, but be extended further for the benefit of successive generations, then we need to urgently unite on a socialist programme and act together. I firmly believe that TUSC offers us that opportunity.”

• Former Stafford councillor, Scott Wilson, will be standing as the TUSCcandidate in Stafford West. Scott says, 

“I was an Elected Borough Councillor in the Stafford West Division for 12 years until 2003 who worked alongside my constituents to benefit our community. I was employed by Staffordshire County Council for 21 years and have a good understanding of how Local Authorities work. I live and work in Stafford West Division. You often hear people say ‘politicians are all the same’ This one is different.”

In Burton-on-Trent:

• Joe Evans is standing in Burton Town. Joe who is our youngest TUSCcandidate says,

“I’m 25 I work for a finance company and have a law degree. I love music, and play in a band, and I love football, I am a Rotherham United season ticket holder. Originally from Rotherham, I live in Burton and have done for a few years now. I love the town and am active in the local music scene amongst others.

I am standing because I want to make a difference. I am passionate about change, and supporting the working class, and want to fight against the cuts. I want to stop the cuts that are affecting people at every level. I want to show people socialism works and that there is another option. People need a voice to be heard and I want to be part of that.”

• Chris Parton is standing for TUSC in Burton Trent

Chris is a teacher who works at Blessed Robert Sutton in Bluestone Lane, Stapenhill

In Leek:

• Neil Singh will be TUSC candidate standing in Leek Rural 

Neil works for the Communication workers union and lives in the Leek Rural area

In Rugeley:

• The TUSC candidate will be Paul Arnold in Brereton and Ravenhill

Paul lives in Rugeley and works in the catering industry. 

In Newcastle-under-Lyme:

• In Talke and Red Street your TUSC candidate is Rebecca Carter known as Becky to her friends. 

Becky says,

“I am 29 and live and work in Kidsgrove. I also train with many young people in a local martial arts club and am a drummer in a Stoke based blues band.

I’m standing as a TUSC candidate because I want to fight against the constant cuts we are all suffering.

In particular I feel that low paid workers need a party like TUSC which will support their interests.”

• Ritchie Steele is our TUSC candidate in May Bank and Cross Heath

“I am a former lecturer, aged 35 and live in Maybank – the only candidate who lives in the ward! I am married to Di and have 4 kids. I am currently, like a lot of working-class people in this area with a family to support, working in the service sector.

I am a member of the Socialist Party and have actively campaigned in Newcastle against, amongst other things, the cuts in the NHS. I am standing in this election as it is important to stand against cuts, not just locally, but also nationally.

The Con-Dems have forced every council to do their dirty work and pass on their cuts to us, ordinary working people. And yet only a few Labour councillor have voted against cuts, for fear of being expelled!

I am standing as part of TUSC as it is quite clearly the only party that is opposed to all cuts, and is the only party that clearly presents an alternative to the austerity measures that councils are dutifully forcing upon us in the form of job losses and cuts to services. If you want a councillor who is willing to fight against council cuts and who will campaign on issues all through the year and not just appear at election time vote TUSC Against Cuts!”

• Steve Wheeler will stand for TUSC in the  Bradwell, Porthill and Wolstanton seat;

“I am 45 years old and have lived in Newcastle under Lyme for the past
25 years, 10 years of which have been spent in Wolstanton. I have worked
in the NHS for 25 years initially as a Psychiatric Nurse and for the past 10
years as a Psychotherapist. I am also a Senior Shop Steward for Unite as
well as Branch Secretary and Chair. 
I have decided to stand as part of TUSC and as a member of the Socialist
Party as together they represent the only anti cuts campaign in the local
elections as well as being the only genuine party of the working class in
the country. I feel that it is vital that the people of Newcastle fight back against the relentless and ongoing attack on our services and quality of life which theCon Dems have devised and which the local Labour Party are implementing. 
My work in the NHS means that I see daily the ongoing destruction, dismantling and privatisation of the Health Service as well as the impact of this governments policy’s on the most vulnerable members of society.”