Nancy Taaffe is a library assistant, Unison branch officer, and the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) candidate for Walthamstow in the upcoming general election. She is actively involved in advocating for social and housing reforms within her community.
Nancy has been a prominent figure in local housing campaigns, including efforts to resist eviction at Butterfields estate and support for tenants at Fred Wigg and John Walsh Towers in Leytonstone. She champions the need for council homes and rent control as fundamental measures to address the housing crisis in London.
Nancy opposes policies she views as profiteering under the guise of environmentalism, such as ULEZ and congestion charges. She advocates for investment in green spaces, clean air, and democratic public ownership of green transport rather than imposing financial burdens on the working class.
Nancy is critical of both Conservative and Labour policies, particularly around their handling of public assets and austerity measures. She highlights the sale of public buildings and the privatization of council homes as detrimental to community welfare.
Nancy has been vocal against budget cuts affecting public services in Waltham Forest, where she has campaigned against reductions in youth centres, libraries, and other community resources. She calls for a no-cuts, needs-based budget to preserve essential services.
As a member of the Socialist Party, which is part of the broader Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition, Nancy campaigns for systemic change. She supports inflation-proof pay raises, publicly-owned services, and a society where wealth is democratically controlled for the benefit of all, not just the wealthy.
Nancy encourages community participation and engagement through public meetings and active campaigning. She stresses the importance of standing together to challenge prevailing political and economic conditions, promoting a socialist alternative in the face of ongoing social challenges.
Nancy Taaffe is a committed activist who stands for substantial reform in social, housing, and environmental policies. Through her candidacy, she aims to bring these issues to the forefront of the political debate, advocating for a significant shift towards socialist policies to better meet the needs of the working class in Walthamstow and beyond.
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.
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.
Budget Management: Oppose all cuts and promote the use of financial tools to maintain and expand budgets without reducing services.
Challenge any external financial oversight that might impose further cuts.
Union Support: Defend workers' rights, particularly against the anti-union Minimum Service Levels Act.
Reject increases in local taxes and charges that disproportionately impact the working class, and advocate for a fair revenue system.
Housing Initiatives: Launch a comprehensive program to build eco-friendly, affordable housing to address the housing crisis.
Support local Climate Emergency plans that aim for sustainable development while securing jobs and worker rights.
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.