by Pippa Evans, Tower Hamlets Socialist Party
Elections give socialists an opportunity to speak to a broader audience than we do in our normal campaigning.
I attended a councillor hustings for my ward, Bethnal Green West. The hustings was hosted by the Canal Club on the Wellington Estate — a community centre run by the tenants and residents association.
Demolition
Photo: Hugo Pierre
The Canal Club is currently under threat of demolition, after being identified as a site for the Mayor’s Accelerated Housing Scheme. There were candidates in attendance from the Tories, Labour, Greens, Tower Hamlets Independents, an independent, and Clive Heemskerk, the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) candidate.
The hustings was correctly used as an opportunity for the Save E2 campaign to ask candidates to oppose demolition, and sign their petition. While several candidates backed the campaign publicly, one Labour candidate said she would first need to “check with her agent” before signing.
Housing was the main issue raised among the 70 that attended. Residents questioned where and how genuinely affordable council housing would be built in the borough.
This reflects the desperate need in Tower Hamlets, which has some of the highest levels of overcrowding in the country, soaring private rents, and tens of thousands of people stuck on housing waiting lists. There was also concern about the lack of properly funded youth and community services.
Other issues discussed were violence against women and girls, domestic violence, CCTV, and controversial Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs).
The Green candidate downplayed the role of councillors in fighting attacks coming from central government. In contrast, the TUSC candidate, Clive Heemskerk, received a positive response by putting forward a clear anti-cuts position, and arguing for the resources necessary to properly fund housing, youth services, and support services across the borough.
Super-rich
He pointed to the £1.6 billion tax break handed to bank JP Morgan as evidence that the wealth exists to fund public services. It’s just held in the wrong hands.
In the discussion around violence against women and girls, Clive raised the Solace domestic violence workers’ strike in Tower Hamlets. He argued that industrial action is essential for defending jobs and vital services.
Clive stressed the importance of mass struggle and mass campaigns to win the funding and resources needed by working-class communities in Tower Hamlets.