Prior to full city council elections, PCS organised a candidates question time event on 28/4/11. The leaders of all the main political parties (excluding the far right) were invited to attend. On the night the panel consisted of Cllr Mohammad Pervez (Labour), Nick Gore (Liberal Democrats) and Andy Bentley (Trade Unionist & Socialist Coalition). The meeting was chaired by PCS Regional Secretary, Andrew Lloyd.
Fifty people, including trade unionists, campaign groups and members of the public, turned out to hear what the candidates had to say. As part of a documentary on Stoke-on-Trent city council a BBC4 film crew were also in attendance. After opening statements were given the chair opened the floor to questions. The meeting was lively, with candidates being grilled on a range of subjects including public sector jobs, saving public services, tackling the far right in Stoke-on-Trent and regeneration.
In their closing statements the candidates were asked to sign up to the five PCS public service pledges. Andy Bentley stated that he would have no problem signing up to all of the pledges. Cllr Mohammad Pervez also stated that he would support the pledges, stating that having had the value of his pension slashed by half this year he could sympathise with PCS’ fight to protect public sector pensions and would campaign/lobby as best he could on our behalf on this issue. While Nick Gore stated that he believes in universal entitlement to welfare services, he stated he felt unable to fully support the other pledges as they are in opposition to the governments policies.
In closing his closing remarks Andrew Lloyd urged people to continue the fight against the right in Stoke-on-Trent and to make their vote count on May 5th.
