35 people – including workers from at least 6 trade unions, the tenants federation, students, migrants, socialists, anti-racist campaigners – attended a very enthusing Waltham Forest Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition public meeting on 27 March. The event was called following the sad deaths of RMT general secretary Bob Crow and Labour left Tony Benn to discuss how TUSC can continue their legacy of fighting for working class people.
After a minutes silence in memory of Bob and Tony, Nancy Taaffe, Waltham Forest TUSC coordinator and candidate in High Street ward, opened the meeting explaining that both stood firm in defence of trade unionism and of social provisions such as decent, affordable public housing. She pointed out that to continue those struggles must include standing candidates against all the parties of big business – including Labour, which has shown itself to now be no different to the Tories.
Glenroy Watson, RMT branch secretary and candidate in Chapel End ward, spoke to explain Bob Crow’s impact in the union and said that whoever takes up the mantle of general secretary will be expected to continue fighting for the interests of members but also engaging in political struggles, including for political representation for the working class through TUSC.

Sarah Wrack, candidate in Valley ward, then gave an outline of the plans for the campaign locally. So far 28 people have applied to be candidates in the borough – meaning we can definitely stand at least one candidate in every ward. This has the advantage that all work done in the borough is building the vote for all candidates – everyone we meet can vote for an anti-cuts candidate. So a big aspect of the campaign will be mass leafleting of tube stations, colleges, mosques and supermarkets (see for schedule and get in touch if you can help). Individual candidates will also be organising local campaigns in certain wards – going door to door and doing activity in local shopping areas for example. There is plenty of material available which can be customised for this purpose (see national TUSC website here ).
Contributions from candidates and supporters from the floor showed that workers and young people want to be represented on the council and in parliament by principled, working class people like Bob and Tony, not the eton-boys who dominate those institutions at the moment.