As candidates standing for election to Swindon Council in the May elections we would like to say that we are totally opposed to the rise of 43 per cent in councillors' allowances. We also opposed the 15 per cent rise in council tax.
The question should not be whether Swindon councillors earn more or less than councillors in Gloucestershire. We believe as a democratic principle that councillors should not get any financial gain from doing their job: they should only claim to cover their expenses.
In the same way MPs should take home no more than the average workers wage in their constituency. Councillors should not be professional politicians in it for the money or their career, what we actually need is councillors who fight for the communities they serve, without expecting any special favours. Only in that way will we get the idealism and vision that Swindon deserves.
If elected we will put our money where our mouth is and take no personal benefit for doing the job.
Andy Newman
Socialist Alliance candidate
and
Roy North
Socialist Alliance candidate
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