20.09.2000

Hackney Wick by-election

Help needed

Hackney borough Socialist Alliance is standing local socialist Diana Swingler as our candidate in the council by-election in Hackney Wick ward. This is a marvellous opportunity for the local SA to build on our strong result in the Greater London Assembly elections. We urgently need your help to make the most of it.

Diana Swingler is a low paid worker at Homerton Hospital and chair of the Unison branch. She is also a local resident and mother of two and has played a leading role in the fight to save Hackney nurseries from council cuts, and in particular the successful campaign to stop the closure of Atherden Road nursery earlier this year. In addition, she has been involved with the Justice for Harry Stanley campaign, the campaign to defend asylum-seekers, and a new initiative to halt the transport of nuclear waste on trains. Diana's candidacy has already received enthusiastic support from local nurses, fire-fighters, teachers, parents and council tenants.

The by-election has been caused by the resignation of a Liberal Democrat councillor. Wick ward is one of the most poverty-stricken in London. For decades Labour councillors were elected there with little opposition. But the Lib Dems first took a seat in a by-election in 1996 and then swept the board, crushing Labour by two to one in 1998. If we are to stop the exploitation of working class discontent with New Labour by the opportunist (and frequently racist) Liberal Democrats, we have to offer a socialist alternative.

But we have only a few short weeks to make an impact. Our one advantage is our activists - you! We intend to leaflet and canvas every household in the ward, as well as mounting a high-profile street presence and media campaign. To do that, we need some of your time.

Election activity will take place from our committee rooms at 27 Ravenscroft Point, off Kenton Road (opposite the Kenton Arms pub) Monday-Friday, 5.30pm-8.30pm; Saturday and Sunday, noon-3pm from now till polling day.

During the election campaign, we will be holding a major Hackney-wide public meeting in the ward on October 5. Along with Diana Swingler, speakers will include Mark Steel and local trade unionists, tenants and community activists. Further details will be sent out shortly.

We also need money. Please send cheques made out to North East LSA, c/o 24 Thomas House, Morningside Estate, London E9 6LB.

Comrades, let's turn Hackney Wick into an election New Labour and the Lib Dems would rather forget - and a symbol of hope for working class people in Hackney!

For more information on how you can help the LSA in the Hackney Wick by-election, please call Beccy Palmer on 0797 982359l

North East LSA

Stop press:

Diana's candidacy has won the unanimous support of the Hackney Council Unison Black Members Group - and a donation! If you can, raise Diana's candidacy in your own trade union branch.