Vote for Barry Duckett Your local Independent candidate for Bermondsey and Old Southwark I have represented people in this area for over 50 years in the tenants movement.

Full statement

Coming from a working class background,and living in rotherhithe I understand what people need. I understand why they feel let down by both the Tory and Labour Party, especially when it comes to investing in housing, health and community. I worked in Surrey Docks as a ships-rigger and proud Trade Unionist and I've certainly seen some changes over the years. During lockdown I formed the Rotherhithe Food Alliance, working with other TRA’s to make sure nobody went without food or company, it certainly was hard work. I also run the the Rotherhithe festival. I've run this community festival for many years which helps to build a stronger community and provides information on our rights, free food and free music and free children’s rides 
 I am standing as your Independent local candidate because:

We need to invest billions more in council and social rent housing and make sure all new builds are let promptly and not left empty.

We need a rent cap on private landlords in line with local council rents.

We need huge investment in the NHS to train more GP’s to take the strain off. A and E. We can only reduce waiting lists with this investment.

We must be able to see a GP within three days maximum and A and E waiting times should reduced massively with full investment in our emergency services.

To pay for better council services and housing and social care I support a range of wealth taxes, increasing the top rate of tax, corporation tax, equalising capital gains tax and investing in HMRC to stop tax evasion.

I oppose austerity budgets and pay cuts offered by both Labour and the Tories. We have huge wealth in this country it’s just in the wrong hands!

We need a lower pension age of 60 for women, 65 for men and lower for manual workers due to physical strain and injury.

Young people need living wages, decent education, the right to housing. A future for young people to include training and apprenticeships