Haringey Socialist Alliance candidates and supporters out campaigning
“Northumberland Park where I am standing is the second poorest ward in London. When you walk through the area you really feel it”, says Alison Davy.
She is one of those standing as part of the Haringey Socialist Alliance (HSA) in north London in the local elections next month. The group has been endorsed by Your Party.
Alison told Socialist Worker, “People are fed up with the Labour Party and have been for a long time. They know the local MP David Lammy is a careerist—he hasn’t supported local people.
“People are angry about the genocide in Gaza and the racism of the Labour Party blaming people in small boats.
“The council has been Labour for 40 years. There is a definite anger.
“There is a big council estate and the council had a vision of demolishing it—the Haringey Development Vehicle. We had a campaign and stopped the demolition in 2018.
“But the council has neglected it since. There are always promises of renovation. But they haven’t done it. They have made more and more cuts.
“There are 50 food projects in the borough, the food banks need more space but the council hasn’t helped at all.
Alison explained, “I started a community support group. People help each other with repairs, form filling, getting immigration advice—just simple things where the council is not helping.
“It has meant that people asked me to stand as a councillor. I always said no before, but with Your Party there was some hope that it would be a mass movement building on the 800,000 people who initially signed up. That hasn’t happened but we still need a socialist voice.”
Another HSA candidate, housing campaigner Paul Burnham, told Socialist Worker, “Central government is the problem. They control what councils can and can’t do. But we have to have councillors who are prepared to bang on the table and tell them what is needed.
“We have a government that is not interested in council housing and backs property developers all the way.”
John Sinha, another one of the candidates, said they have a clear message. “We will not vote for cuts under any conditions,” he said. “That’s a commitment. We are the only people in this election in Haringey saying that.
“We have had enough. We are not accepting austerity any more.
“The Greens are going to do well but they will face tough choices if they get in. The Green Party candidates are on the left. They are attracted by Zack Polanski’s leadership and are for climate justice.
“There are three candidates in the ward I am standing in so you can vote for us and the Greens. We are not in competition.”
Gary McFarlane, who is also standing in the Northumberland Park ward, told Socialist Worker, “The response has been encouraging and people are attentive to what we have to say. The candidates all have a bit of name recognition in the area.
“Ours is a positive campaign that says, ‘Tax the rich, don’t blame refugees.’
“When we put in our first leaflet we also leafletted for the Together alliance march against the far right on 28 March. And Stand Up To Racism is likely to campaign against Reform UK in the next door ward of White Hart Lane.
Alison added, “When Tommy Robinson marched last year, people were frightened. But we put loads of posters up for the Together march. And people watched it and felt a bit more hopeful.
“I thought people would say there is no point in voting. But there is more optimism than I expected. I’m really pleased with what we are doing. People love it when you stand up and amplify their voice.”
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