Left-wing faction '˜has no faith in Portsmouth Labour councillors'

Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition has written to Labour candidates attacking sitting Labour councillors – saying they offer ‘no resistance’ to Tory cuts and have ‘no choice’ but to try and get rid of them.

It comes after Labour group leader Cllr John Ferrett criticised Tusc for standing against him in the Paulsgrove ward on May 5.

The letter to candidates says: ‘Tusc believes that Jeremy Corbyn’s victory can create new opportunities for us to work together and defeat the Tories’ austerity offensive.

‘Like Corbyn, our position is that austerity is a political choice and we’re happy to work with any Labour election candidate who commits to that same stance.

‘Unfortunately, as you will be all too aware, not every Labour councillor will do that.

‘John Ferrett and the current sitting Labour councillors in Portsmouth have consistently proven that they oppose Corbyn’s position.’

Cllr Ferrett said: ‘I totally refute that. I have been clear on a number of occasions, not least standing up in the council, condemning the government’s approach to cuts to local government.’