Anti-Tory mood dominates elections across Stoke-on-Trent

 “Tonight I thought I was coming to an academic debate about the miners strike. But I didn’t realise the burning hatred that is still felt in this area for what Thatcher and the Tories did”. These were the words of film director Ken Loach speaking at a recent public debate in Stoke-on-Trent about the effects of the miners strike.

And it’s this burning hatred among thousands across the city which led to all three New Labour MP’s in the city being re-elected albeit with reduced majorities and along the way New Labour regaining 17 seats on the city council to become the largest party once again. However, those who see this as an endorsement of New Labour’s policies nationally or locally would be making a serious mistake.

The BNP stood general election candidates in all three seats across the city with their deputy leader Simon Darby posing the most serious threat in Stoke Central. However, the mobilisation of the anti Tory vote (for New Labour) supplemented by anti-BNP votes going to New Labour was sufficient on this occasion to see off Darby’s challenge.

Despite the fears of some, the analysis of Stoke Socialist Party members was generally correct about Stoke Central. We argued that even after a Peter Mandelson clone was effectively imposed as the New Labour candidate causing an even further fracturing of the party the strength of the effect of ‘lesser evilism’ would be enough to ensure that New Labour would overcome the threat posed by the Tories and the BNP.

This significant mood, to keep the Tories from the door, was enough to increase the vote for New Labour in the local council elections as well which prevented the BNP from winning any more seats and in fact resulted in them losing two. However, they still received significant votes where they stood (a total of 4,770 in just 6 seats) showing that unless New Labour changes its anti-working class policies nationally and locally and an effective political alternative is built then there is the possibility of the far right regaining lost ground in the future.

We had also argued that because of the strong mood to vote New Labour to keep out the Tories the vote for the Trade Unionist & Socialist Coalition in Stoke Central would be severely squeezed and the modest vote of 133 that we received bore out this view. However, where we had the opportunity to explain our ideas, on campaigning stalls, at a series of public events and on the doorstep, we had a very good response.

For example, the TUSC’s Matt Wright was the only candidate committed to taking the average wage of a Stoke-on-Trent worker if elected and more than 3,500 people have demonstrated their support for this stand by signing our “Worker’s MP’s on a Worker’s Wage” petition. Axiom Rail workers, civil servants, postal workers, staff at Regent College and others gave out our leaflets in their workplaces.

Nicky Davis, an activist from the Community School Action Group, fighting for a new school on the present Mitchell High site, gave her response to a public hustings organised by CSAG in Bentilee, “Based solely on what I thought of the candidates from their stance on this schools issue, if I had to vote on it I’d pick the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition” and “I really liked Andy Bentley’s ideas on council strategy.”

In response to the TUSC election statement on local website www.pitnpots.org.uk ,  Bernard said of Matt Wright, “He would have my support if I lived there. The fact is that he has established himself as by far the most pro-worker candidate in the seat. ………. Good man Matthew, all my friends and family in the area will be voting for you. You should get someone to stand against Whalley (Joan Whalley Stoke North) so the workers can have a choice at this end.”

The results of the general and local elections have altered nothing fundamental. Whatever government is cobbled together their principal task will be to attempt to carry out savage cuts of jobs and services. New Labour, as the largest party on Stoke-on-Trent City Council, along with the other local establishment parties – Tories, Lib Dems, BNP and independents – will come under enormous pressure to implement these cuts.

The Socialist Party and those forces involved with the Trade Unionist & Socialist Coalition will continue to build the maximum opposition to these slash & burn policies in Stoke-on-Trent and nationally.