SDP general election launch: party recruits new members and candidates to help deliver better future for Sheffield
The resurgent Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Sheffield is on the hunt for passionate, committed and caring candidates for the 2024 general election in each of the six Sheffield constituencies.
They are looking for people who are active in their communities, living or working in the constituencies, who want to campaign to see a return of manufacturing to the city forged by steel.
Strong vision
The party itself is focussing on family, industry, housing, culture, utilities and borders as its broad manifesto pledges. A return to a vibrant reindustrialised economy is one of the major keys to bringing the rest together, argues SDP Leader William Clouston.
Blaming previous Labour and Conservative governments for ‘a fall in manufacturing from 30 per cent of the economy to just 9 percent’ – a process the SDP calls ‘manufacturing disarmament’ – SDP leader William Clouston wants to see a move away from dependence on service industries to build a stronger economic base.
He said: “We have replaced an economic model based on production and investment with one that produces too little and that is addicted to debt.
“Our debt-based economy lowers incomes, creates inequalities and destroys the wealth of all but a few. It can’t be allowed to continue.”
He says an indifference to where and who manufactures items we use has damaged the bedrock of our times and cities, and says other parties are guilty of ignoring huge regional divides and inequalities, and Britain’s huge trade deficit.
Liberals, he says, should be on the right side of history and ‘need to free the country from debt dependence’.
Ideal candidates
Ahead of the 2024 election, the party is seeking candidates to give the city a voice in Westminster, stop the economy ‘going backwards’ and build a strong UK economy. This, he says, will stop the over reliance on imports from around the world and to help struggling families find plentiful, well-paid jobs, with interest rates which promote savings and affordable housing.
South Yorkshire branch chairman David Bettney, who stood as the SDP candidate in the mayoral elections, is clear about the kind of people he wants to stand for the city and to help build vibrant High Streets and communities.
“We are looking for people who really care about their constituencies, who will work with members of their own community to help build a stronger future.
“They might already be SDP members, or they may be former Labour or Tory voters who are disaffected with the way those governments deliver for Sheffield, and who want to have a say and be part of the relaunched SDP. We want people to look at our website, see what the modern SDP stands for, and work with us.
“We are looking for those passionate people who want to be part of a long game, fighting the 2024 elections and the next two or three elections after that, being a strong voice that speaks for the community.
“You don’t have to be born and bred in Sheffield, but ideally we would like to hear from people who live and work in each of the Sheffield constituencies who will work with our party, our volunteers, and the wider community to make a difference.”
Could you be who they are looking for?
To find out more, you can visit https://sdp.org.uk/ or email [email protected] to speak to David, the local party chairman.
This is paid for content on behalf of the SDP, and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Sheffield Star.