The Communist Party of Britain has officially begun its campaign for the two council by-elections.
They have two candidates in both the Southside/Newington and Portobello/Craigmillar wards running on a platform of “peace, public ownership, tax justice and workers’ rights”.
A Communist Party spokesperson said: “Our candidates are standing to address the city’s growing housing crisis, its underfunded public services, and the rising cost of living.
“We are offering voters a distinct socialist alternative to the mainstream political parties.
Their key platform priorities
Housing for Need, Not Profit: Immediate rent freezes, a cap on short-term holiday lets, and an expansion of high-quality, municipal council housing.
Funding Local Services: Reversing budget cuts to local services such as libraries, community centres, road maintenance and youth services by demanding a fairer funding model from national government and taxing the wealthiest in the city.
Investment in people not wars: Demand an end to funding genocide in Palestine and endless foreign wars and instead spend that money for the benefit of working class people.
Peter Olech the Communist Party candidate standing in Portobello/Craigmillar ward said:”Edinburgh is a city of vast wealth, yet working-class communities are being priced out of their own homes and left with crumbling public services.
“We are standing in this election to give a voice to working class people and to fight for a city managed in the interests of the many, not the wealthy elite.”
Richard Shillcock the Communist Party candidate for the Southside/Newington ward said: “Edinburgh Council should have greater responsibility for local economic development, with increased investment in council housing and public services.”
