Socialist Party Wales Socialism In Wales
Socialist Party member John Williams is the lead Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) candidate in Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf (Cardiff North and East) for the Welsh Senedd elections. He is a young hospitality worker, LGBT+ activist, and chair of Cardiff general branch of Unite the Union.
“A lot of people in my industry think that politics isn’t for them, that the establishment parties aren’t offering anything different to help with our living conditions.
“But we need people like us in the Senedd, elected to fight for our class. I’m standing because workers need guaranteed hours, with no loss of pay, and flexible hours – decided by the workers, not by the bosses.
“I’ve been involved in campaigns to make sure that hospitality workers keep all their tips. It’s disgraceful that the UK Labour government has retreated on that.
“Prior to the 2024 general election, Labour had pledged to give workers control over how tips would be allocated, but dropped the proposals in office. Unite the Union general secretary Sharon Graham slammed this as ‘insulting’.
“And it’s not just UK Labour. Look at the health workers at Cwm Taf Morgannwg, taking their fight for fair pay to Labour at the Senedd. Or the recent struggle of Cardiff bin workers against bullying culture and union busting by a Labour council.
“I’m proud to have stood shoulder to shoulder with striking workers, as well as bringing trade union solidarity to Trans Day of Remembrance and Trans Pride.”
Helen Perriam, a nurse at Llandough Hospital, and Dave Bartlett, Cardiff Trades Union Council secretary, are also standing for TUSC in Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf.
Helen says: “I have seen firsthand what Labour and Tory cuts and privatisation have done to our NHS, and will stand up in the Senedd to fight every cut, and speak up passionately for more resources to allow nurses and health workers to provide the services we need.”
Dave helped lead the campaign that saved health facilities at Cardiff Royal Infirmary.
He says: “Campaigning in our communities isn’t enough on its own. We need a voice for the working class in the Senedd. It is time for the trade unions to end the funding of Labour, and to form a mass new workers’ party instead.”
All Welsh TUSC candidates have pledged that, if elected, they will forgo the full £76,380 Senedd member salary, and take home only a worker’s wage.
Welsh TUSC is also standing two candidates in Gwyr Abertawe (Swansea and Gower).
