Manchester hits the campaign trail

Respect has pioneered electoral cooperation with the Green Party to offer voters the best placed progressive left of Labour alternative. This has led to an unprecedented agreement in Manchester.

In the new Blackley and Broughton constituency in North Manchester, I am Respect's candidate. I am supported, on a ward by ward basis, by a great team of candidates from my Respect branch and the Green Party.

The Green Party is not contesting the Parliamentary seat and I'm very proud to have received the endorsement from leading North West Green Party activist, Peter Cranie.

Equally, Respect is not contesting Manchester Central constituency, where an outstanding and leftwing Green Party candidate, Gayle O'Donovan, is running.

The agreement with the Green Party extends to the local election wards.

We vote for each other, leaflet for each other, and all campaign for the parliamentary candidate. This cooperation is a refreshing break from the turgid infighting that has dominated the British left.

Respect Party candidates

Higher Blackley, North Manchester: Paul Kelly, former miner and NUM member from Salford colliery, Agecroft, who spent a year on strike during 1984-85.

The ward had the highest BNP vote in Manchester in 2008. There's no better candidate to spearhead our campaign against the racism of the BNP than Paul.

Crumpsall Ward, North Manchester: Mudasar Anwar (Mudz to his friends and family). He's a taxi driver and knows the area like the back of his hands and has been with Respect since its creation. Mudz brings great enthusiasm and firm local knowledge.

Kersal Ward, Salford: Alice Searle will be standing. Alice is a fearless campaigner, organizer and great communicator with invaluable experience.

I will also be standing in the Cheetham Ward where I've stood before in 2008, receiving 15% of the vote. The meltdown of Labour support presents a three way fight with the Tories in the ward.

The Green Party is standing in the Blackley constituency wards of Harpurhey, Charlestown, Mike Prior being an excellent candidate here.

In Lower Broughton, the candidate was David Henry, but he's now been selected to stand to against the odious Hazel Blears.

We're now looking for a new candidate, and we're hopeful we can find someone soon. Congratulations to David for being selected as a Parliamentary candidate

What's exciting about this election is the fact we are fielding more candidates than ever before and not all the action is in north Manchester.

There are exciting things happening in the south of the city. At this time, we have confirmed two candidates in south Manchester, though more may follow.

In Gorton South, Marie-Angelique Bueler is running. She is a fantastic local campaigner, who is leading a campaign about the lack places in primary schools in the area. The issue has now hit national news.

She has long experience, leading campaigns against private GP practices in the NHS and for investment in the swimming baths. She's now leading the charge in the fight for community cricket and football facilities and is convenor of Friends of Levenshulme.

In Longsight, we are equally fortunate to be standing an extremely well respected community activist, Martyn Lambert. Martyn is a former soldier who has led a difficult life and now shines as the local environment officer and residents rep at Bickerdike Court.

He led the campaign against the housing transfer to Eastlands and spends each day helping young people learn about how to support the community.

Martyn and Marie-Angelique regularly campaign together and represent the strategic emphasis that Respect has placed on mobilizing opposition to the public service cuts. They also support the Green candidate, David Mottram, in Levenshulme ward.

It's going to be a tough fight but the mood is open and we fight to win in every seat. We are creating and strengthening the networks of resistance for the future.