You can read our manifesto on individual topics that particularly interest you by clicking on the buttons below, or download an copy of the entire document by clicking here. If you would like a printed copy posted to you please email contact@southendlabour.com with your name and address or leave a message with those details on 01702 619868.

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Southend Labour’s manifesto for 2019

Foreword. by Cllr Ian Gilbert
Labour Group Leader on Southend Borough Council

We are passionate about Southend and believe in the strength of our diverse community.

Southend is in many ways a great place to live, with a rich history, great cultural assets and dynamism in our businesses.

Yet there is also neglect, decay and severe poverty in many of our neighbourhoods. Our public services are creaking under years of cuts imposed by the coalition and Conservative governments and a local Conservative administration.

We aim to translate values of solidarity, community and co-operation into practical steps to make Southend a safer more prosperous town with a better quality of life for all. We wish to develop a real public service ethos, in caring for elderly and vulnerable residents, keeping the streets clean and improving and promoting our children’s services.

We can support the local economy and bring our community together if we make sure as much Council spending as possible stays in the local area. We can use the Council’s buying power to support local enterprise, local charities and local communities. We will promote a real living wage.

We will strengthen regulation of private sector housing and continue to put resources into combating environmental crime and low-level anti-social behaviour. We will take tough action against those who damage our town.

Housing and homelessness will continue to be a critical priority for us. We will recommence the building of social housing for rent and look to harness public and voluntary-sector resources to deal with the causes as well as the effects of homelessness in the town.

Prior to the Tories retaking control of the Council, Labour councillors were able to make a real difference.

We started building social housing for the first time in decades.

We protected the town’s network of libraries and children’s centres.

We developed an innovative digital strategy to boost local businesses.

We invested in green energy and green technology.

With your support we can make a greater difference now.

Cllr Ian Gilbert
Leader of the Labour Group