Where
we stand:
An
end to the war and occupation in Iraq. We will not join any further
imperialist wars.
An end to all privatisation and the return to public ownership of
the railways and other public services.
An education system that is not dependent on the ability to pay, that
is comprehensive and gives an equal chance in life to every child
no matter how wealthy or poor their parents, from nursery to university.
A publicly owned and funded, democratically controlled NHS, free to
all users.
Pensions linked to average earnings.
Raising the minimum wage to the EU Decency threshold of £7.40
an hour.
Tax the rich to fund welfare and to close the growing gap between
the poor and the wealthy few.
The repeal of the Tory anti-union laws.
Opposition to all forms of discrimination based on race, gender, ethnicity,
beliefs (religious or secular), sexual orientation, disabilities or
national origin.
The right to self-determination of every individual in relation to
their religious (or secular) beliefs, and sexual choices.
The defence of the rights of refugees and asylum seekers.
Opposition to the European Union's 'Fortress Europe' policies. We
will strongly oppose the anti-European xenophobic right wing in any
Euro referendum. We oppose the 'stability pact' the EU imposes on
those who join the euro. This pact would outlaw government deficit
spending and reinforce the drive to deregulate the economy. We will
therefore vote 'No' in any referendum on this issue.
Support for the people of Palestine and opposition to the apartheid
system that oppresses them.
An end to the destruction of the environment by states and corporations
for whom profit is more important. |
VOTE FOR ALI SHELMANI FOR MOSS SIDE |
 ALI
SHELMANI
Moss Side ward, Manchester City Council
online material promoted
by Lucinda Lavelle
“I
am very proud to have been selected as Respects prospective
candidate for the Moss Side Ward in the Council elections.
It means a great deal to me to have this opportunity to work
for the people in the area.
“I believe that Moss Side has been under invested in
for many years while money that could be spent in the area
has been diverted for war. £740 million was spent on
the war in Afghanistan alone last year - the government can
find endless finance for its military operations while the
Moss Side area is the 7th poorest constituency in the country.
“For years the area has suffered from gun crime, drug
crime and unemployment. All these things are linked as people
who can not get decent work will fall prey to the organised
crime on the streets. I believe that with money spent of education
and training programs we can change this and lift people out
of their situation to hold their heads up high and reach their
true potential."
|
“Respect
believes that Moss Side deserves the chance to vote for a powerful
voice on the Left in the coming local elections, and I am grateful
to be that voice for the people of Moss Side.
“After eleven years of a Labour government Britain has
become more unequal as the gap between the rich and the poor
has grown even wider than it was under the Conservative government
of Margaret Thatcher.
“The rich are showered with tax breaks and bonuses, the
poor face low pay and long hours. Public Services are being
privatised and the country is more dominated by unaccountable
and unelected private firms. Young people face poverty and unemployment,
and the root causes of the rise in gun crime are ignored.
“All this means that many people have had enough of the
three traditional parties who have given us nothing to choose
between their policies and are tired of their false promises,
and we need a party that represents us, the working class. We
want anyone who believes in the same values to be able to find
a place in our campaign.
“We have to unite against racism - unite against Islamophobia
- we need your support to make Moss Side a better place to live
in. With your support and involvement we can make Moss Side
cleaner, safer and greener and be proud of our community.” |
|
 OUR
VISION FOR MOSS SIDE
Respect will campaign alongside you for a massive
increase in public spending to improve our local services:
We need immediate investment in good quality, affordable housing
including improvements to existing council housing and building
new council properties. We will oppose the sell off of council
housing. Tenants should not have to make a choice between giving
up their rights and getting improvements.
Moss Side needs a new community centre. This should include
spaces where people can meet and socialise; it should include
a youth club; spaces for people to paint, act and perform; a
community theatre; spaces for people to learn to play instruments,
sing, and produce music; high quality childcare and play facilities.
We need our green spaces, including the parks, to be staffed
by wardens that can keep them clean and safe for our children
to play in. We need more community gardens and trees on our
streets.
We need a cheaper, better and more reliable public transport
system. We will campaign for free bus passes for under 18s.
Respect would put the needs of people before the profits of
big business.
Another Moss Side is possible! |
About
Ali Shelmani
“I was born in the City of Benghazi in
Libya and came to the UK in 1980 when I was 20 to study at Cambridge.
I trained as a civilian pilot and eventually settled in Manchester
and became a British citizen. I now live in Moss Side with my
wife and four children.
“I started to engage in local politics and looked to the
Labour Party for socialism and justice but was betrayed by the
party when the Labour government invaded Iraq. I got involved
in the Stop the War movement and then joined Respect as the
new Left alternative and have helped build this party to represent
all the values that are important to me - peace, justice, equality,
- putting people before profit.
“I am very involved in Moss Side community and work as
an interpreter for Arab and French speaking people who need
help with sorting out social problems such as housing, dealing
with the immigration services and understanding their rights
as residents in the UK. I see there is a lot to be done in Moss
Side, especially for the Youth and I am supporting the initiative
of the Whitworth Sports Club, establishing a centre for sporting
activity for all the young people in the area.” |
 A
new voice for Moss Side
leaflet
- March 2008
pdf file (251kb)
CLICK
HERE |
|
