About Karen Reissmann

I have been a nurse and a trade union activist in Manchester for 28 years. Two years ago I spoke out against cuts and privatisation in the NHS. Despite a massive protest and strike from colleagues, users of the service, my union UNISON and many, many local people, I was sacked. Thankfully, I am now back in the NHS.

I am standing in this election because I see an election where all three parties call for massive cuts in our public services. The only debate for them seems to be how quickly they should start.

It was the bankers and the markets that got us into this mess. If money needs to be saved then cut Trident’s replacement, cut ID cards, stop the bloody war in Afghanistan – all of which cost billions. Stop scape-goating everyone from single parents, the unemployed, pensioners, asylum seekers, Muslims. None of them caused this financial crisis. It’s the bankers who should pay.

This is not just about a socialist vote in the election. We need to stand together to defend jobs and services.