Southampton

Local Elections - Preparations are underway for this years' local council elections. Facing increasing opposition from local communities the New Labour council is set to lose more seats. The Socialist Party has stood candidates in the Bargate ward in the city. This year community activist Siobahn Ryan is set to stand as a community candidate. She is fighting for a better deal for the local community - to keep open the local market, to use government aid (SRB) for local services, to improve local education with an inner-city secondary school and ensure that the community is consulted over the develpoment of the new football stadium. Many groups within the local area are supporting her stand as well as members of the Socialist Party. Help and financial support would be very welcome. Contact Nick Chaffey 01703 495266

For more views on the need for a socialist alternative to New Labour go toThe decision of Ken Livingstone to stand and his likely victory will have a huge impact on politics in Britain. The Socialist Party is urging Ken Livingstone to use his platform in the elctions to make a call for a new mass workers' party.

Save Free Education - the campaign against tuition fees has taken a big step forward with the recent demos at Southampton University. 100s of students have got involved in the campaign over the last year and as the financial pressure on students grows more and more students a re seeing the need to get involved. Contact Phil Pope 07957 994286 or email Save Free Education - Southampton Uni or the national Save Free Education campaign.

Portsmouth

Fighting PFI - members of the trade union UNISON at the Day Services department are campaigning against the privatisation of their services. For more views and information on PFI go to