Shettleston election campaign off to a flying start

Jamie Cocozza’s and the Scottish Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (STUSC) campign for the Shettleston by-election has got off to a flying start in the first full week of campaigning. 10,000 copies of the four page leaflet has been distributed to homes across the City Council ward. Door-to-door canvassing and street stalls have found huge anger at the effect of falling living standards, benefit cuts and the impact of the Bedroom Tax.

The vicious cuts imposed by the Labour-led council, passing on the cuts from the Con-Dem government and the SNP at Holyrood, are causing increasing opposition.

This by election campaign is taking place against the backdrop of a series of strikes by 1,000 Unison members in Glasgow schools. The Pupil Support Assistant’s action has been solid and their resolve has shaken the Labour politicians to the core.

Jamie’s and the STUSC’s campaign is focusing on the need to elect councillors who are prepared to defy the Tory cuts. And fight for the tens of millions of pounds stolen from the city by the coalition government.

As Jamie explained to the local press when asked what was the first thing he would do if elected on December 5th:

“If elected, my first action will be to draft a motion demanding that the council sets a No Cuts budget that protects the services, jobs and incomes of the people of Glasgow and Shettleston. Glasgow City Council has the powers to refuse to make cuts.

“It has significant borrowing powers and can also use reserves to allow it to set a No Cuts budget, while building a mass campaign to win back the tens of millions stolen from Glasgow by the Tory-led government in the last few years.

“All that is lacking is the political determination to stand up to the Tories. Instead, the Labour-run council have made £200 million of cuts, closing day centres, increasing care charges and are now threatening 1,000 mainly female, low paid workers in our schools with the sack.

“This election is therefore a chance to vote for a real alternative to savage cuts.”

Jamie’s campaigning record

• Jamie is a campaigning socialist and trade unionist. He’s a member of the Unite trade union and works as a driver on the Glasgow subway.
• Jamie helped set-up the East End against the Bedroom Tax campaign and has been fighting for months against the hated Tory Tax
• Jamie took part in the 2011 Jarrow to London Youth Fight For Jobs march to highlight the scandal of mass youth unemployment
• Jamie is a member of Socialist Party Scotland standing for an independent socialist Scotland to end poverty, low pay and unemployment.