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With one candidate standing in the Bedwas and Trethomas ward the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition has said it is giving residents a “real Socialist alternative”.

Candidate Peter Thomas said: “What we need are councillors who will stand up and fight for working-class people, not just pass on Tory cuts. If elected, I’ll be making it a priority to challenge outsourcing and privatisation.

“Why is Caerphilly Council making over £2 million of cuts in any case, when they have £180m in reserves?

“The Welsh Government is covering increased Covid costs. With more money coming in, Caerphilly Council should put back the services they’ve cut in the last ten years, including the adequate funding of schools, the re-opening of closed leisure centres, adequate street lighting, and public toilets should be re-opened.

“The Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition says Caerphilly Council should tap into its reserves to give us back our closed services. Using reserves would only be a stop gap measure. But it would buy Caerphilly time to band together with other councils, fighting and demanding adequate funding from the government.”

Here’s a re-cap of what Peter Thomas is pledging:

• To reverse ten years of cuts to local jobs and services.
• To stop council tax and rent rises.
• For a mass programme of council house building and renovation.
• For a free, green, integrated – publicly owned and operated – public transport system.

Where in Caerphilly are the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition candidates standing?