In recent times I've seen predictions from some that Labour might want to absorb the Progressive Workers Party (PWP), or even merge with Solidarity, or something along those lines. It's the usual stuff of "why isn't the left more united" and "have they merged yet"? Ahead of the general election, I think it's extremely important to remind voters of what the Progressive Workers Party stands for, and why there is a need for our existence, and further to that, why it's vital voters deliver a strong PWP team in Parliament.

It's important firstly when discussing the PWP that we go back to the basics and note what our foundation was for. Almost 18 months ago, half a dozen Labour members set up discussions for setting up a new party which would become the PUP, a precursor to PWP. We all had a range of reasons for the move, but the main issues for us were that we felt the Labour party was too heavily infighting, had a toxic culture that included constant leaks, was cliquey with decisions being made behind closed doors, and was hostile to unionists and those who didn't follow the same views of the bulk of members. In all fairness to Labour, after almost a year and a half since I was last a member, they do seem to have mostly cleaned up their act, although the reason for being a more unified and coherent is partly down to an exodus of members left right and centre meaning what's left have a duty of care to their home and can't afford to worsen things. And yet issues highlighted by the opinion piece of the now Coalition ex Labour MP wg_1605 suggest the left needs to maintain openness and transparency in order to retain its credibility and be a welcoming space. PWP was set up with good intentions and in my view has stuck to the aim of challenging the elitism of the political establishment that voters are tired of and be a transparent and open space.

For the PWP, we also exist as a left party that aim to talk about issues other parties ignore. This article is not an attack on others, but rather a defence and promotion of my own. For us, we deeply believe in promoting democracy in all areas, and we fill a genuine gap in British politics. For us, we are unashamedly pro unionist but this is not a thing instructed by narrow minded nationalism but a progressive pride in the shared strength of what the union means for its members. Unfortunately we remain the only party on the left to support this. As mentioned earlier, we are a party of democracy. But while some believe in the economy and system being managed by a firmly centralised state, for us we believe that primarily local communities deserve to be the ones with ownership and power over the services, utilities, workplaces, etc that they are involved with. We are proudly co-operatist and pro mutualisation as well as nationalisation of public services. And finally we're the only party on the left who have a strong track record of delivering for rural and semi-rural seats and towns. Our socialism isn't just about big cities and metropolitan areas. We are about standing up for all communities particularly those who get left behind and taken for granted by the main parties. This is a strategy winning support in the East of England, South East, and Yorkshire, places the other left parties have stalled and not managed to win over voters to the same extent as us. PWP is there to provide a pragmatic voice for ethical socialism that empowers local communities and wants to create a fairer and stronger United Kingdom.

I will be clear - we are very good friends of Labour and Solidarity and other left parties and wish them well. But we do have disagreements on some policy areas and some fundamentals. While that is the case, voters deserve a genuine choice which is what democracy is about. We will be releasing an ambitious manifesto that lifts up every part of our nation very soon, and if voters want a tolerant left party that listens and stands up for them, then they can do so by maximising PWP's representation and vote for us in the election.