Meet the candidates: TUSC's Ian Wilson

The Trade Union and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) was set up in 2010 to help trade unionists, community campaigners and socialists to stand candidates against the pro-austerity establishment parties.

Under Britain’s election laws candidates [that] are not endorsed by a registered political party they can only appear on the ballot paper as an ‘Independent’. This doesn’t make it easy for trade unionists or local anti-cuts campaigners to distinguish themselves as standing for something different from the mainstream. However, linking up with others under the TUSC umbrella does. Since 2010 about 1,200 candidates have stood in elections as part of TUSC and a few have won council seats.

In total TUSC candidates have polled over 180,000 votes since it was formed. Local community groups, trade unionists and anti-cuts candidates
who want to stand under the TUSC banner have autonomy to run their own campaigns. The only provision is that candidates are expected to endorse the TUSC core policy platforms for the general election and local council elections.

In a nutshell, this is what TUSC stands for: Public ownership, not private profit, no cuts – for quality public services, jobs, not handouts to the bankers and billionaires.

Full list of candidates standing for election to the Selby & Ainsty seat:

Polling will take place on May 7 between 7 am and 10 pm.