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Lois Austin - Barking, Dagenham, City Of London, Newham, Tower Hamlets
2024 British Local Government Election - London Assembly Member Candidate - May, 2, 2024
Electorate of Barking, Dagenham, City of London, Newham, Tower Hamlets - Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition - United Kingdom
Who is Lois Austin?
Lois Austin is the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) candidate for the East Ham Central ward by-election and is also on the London-wide list for the Greater London Authority. She is an active member of the Socialist Party residing on Katherine Road.
Advocacy and Public Service:
Lois has a long-standing record of campaigning against council cuts to public services, advocating for workers' rights, and addressing issues related to poverty and inadequate housing in Newham.
Covid-19 Impact in Newham:
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Newham experienced some of the highest death rates in England and Wales, which Lois attributes to poverty and substandard housing conditions. She has actively supported essential workers, including bus drivers and health workers, to obtain necessary personal protective equipment (PPE).
Inadequate Response to Local Issues:
Lois criticizes the local Labour council's response to the pandemic and other social issues as insufficient. She points out the longstanding issues of child poverty, unemployment, and low wages in Newham.
Opposition to Austerity Measures:
Lois opposes the austerity measures implemented by the council, such as new parking charges, and criticizes the council for not utilizing available financial reserves to improve local services and housing.
Need for Council Housing:
Highlighting Newham's severe housing crisis, Lois advocates for the construction of council houses and the introduction of rent controls. She opposes the current handling of developments like the Carpenters Estate and Boleyn Ground, where she feels the focus has shifted from affordable housing to private sales that do not benefit the majority of residents.
Support for Abolishing the Mayoral Office:
Lois supports a local referendum to abolish the office of the Newham mayor, arguing that too much power is centralized and disconnected from the community’s needs.
Commitment to Anti-Racism and Transparency:
A lifelong anti-racist campaigner, Lois has participated in Black Lives Matter protests and is involved in the Mitting Inquiry into police surveillance of activists and trade unionists.
TUSC Platform:
Lois's campaign under the TUSC banner includes fighting for a needs-based budget without cuts, securing emergency government funding, building more council homes, resisting gentrification, and opposing new austerity taxes. She also advocates for the revocation of decisions like the eviction of Stratford Circus arts center and calls for investment in expanded youth services.
Lois Austin represents a progressive alternative in the East Ham Central ward by-election, with a clear focus on addressing systemic issues in public services, housing, and democratic governance. Her campaign is driven by a commitment to social justice and community-led solutions to the challenges facing Newham residents.
What are Lois Austin's Political Values?
TUSC expresses strong criticism of the Labour Party's alignment with conservative policies, particularly regarding international conflicts such as the situation in Gaza. This stance is used to highlight the broader failure of established parties to protect local interests in the UK.
Financial Strategy and Promises:
TUSC challenges the narrative that sufficient funds are unavailable for local governments, citing potential revenues from policies like those proposed by Jeremy Corbyn in 2019, which could raise significant funds through taxes. TUSC advocates for the use of council reserves and borrowing powers to prevent budget cuts and proposes challenging future council administrations to replenish these funds.
Economic and Administrative Policies:
Budget Management: Oppose all cuts and promote the use of financial tools to maintain and expand budgets without reducing services.
Fiscal Resistance:
Challenge any external financial oversight that might impose further cuts.
Labor and Social Policies:
Union Support: Defend workers' rights, particularly against the anti-union Minimum Service Levels Act.
Social Equity:
Reject increases in local taxes and charges that disproportionately impact the working class, and advocate for a fair revenue system.
Housing and Environmental Policies:
Housing Initiatives: Launch a comprehensive program to build eco-friendly, affordable housing to address the housing crisis.
Environmental Plans:
Support local Climate Emergency plans that aim for sustainable development while securing jobs and worker rights.
Commitment to Social Justice:
Inclusive Representation: Ensure that TUSC candidates advocate for a broad range of social justice issues, including fighting racism, sexism, and all forms of oppression.Support for Workers: Actively back all movements and strikes that seek to resist detrimental government policies affecting ordinary people. TUSC positions itself as a radical alternative to traditional political parties by focusing on anti-austerity measures, social justice, and extensive public sector investment.
It appeals to voters seeking representatives who will robustly defend community interests against economic pressures and government cutbacks. The coalition aims to transform local governance by prioritizing the needs and rights of the working class in the face of national policy challenges.
