Staff at Sussex have told me that the University has been in financial difficulty for a number of years and that some cuts are due to bad management and poor financial decisions made in the past. They’re also telling me that they have suggested alternatives including part-time hours or taking extended unpaid leave to protect jobs, but that these options are not being fully considered. More time is needed for adequate scrutiny and analysis of a package of measures which could make or break the future of the University of Sussex. I am opposed to compulsory redundancies and concerned at the disproportionate number of trade union reps that seem to be included in the redundancy pools.

I want to see proper consultation and transparency in the process that is now taking place to make Sussex a viable and successful academic institution. However, it is important to preserve its culture as a place of education and learning rather than a business generating profits. The introduction of more senior managers and increasing the ratio of students to teaching staff concerns me.

At a time when the Labour government are investing in sexual health awareness, it does not make sense for the Unisex service for students on campus to be closed. It may not be part of the ‘core business’ of a university to provide such a service but preventing the transmission of STIs will make a difference to many young people’s lives – in some cases, the difference between being able to have a family or not.

Equally, I am concerned that the loss of childcare on site will disproportionately impact on disadvantaged students, and staff or students who are lone parents. I understand that the University has not yet been in touch with Brighton and Hove Young People's Trust about where an additional 80 childcare places can be provided for students and staff at Sussex university if this service is closed.

Along with the three MPs and Simon Burgess, candidate for Kemptown, I have met with UCU reps, Senate members, students and the NUS to hear their concerns. The MPs have met with the Vice-Chancellor, and Simon and I met with Simon Fanshawe, Chair of the Council to discuss the issues raised. I joined the UCU and students on the picket line on Thursday at the University of Sussex to oppose the cuts at Sussex and the way in which they are being implemented.

I have watched the videos of the demonstration that were sent to me and David Lepper MP, Celia Barlow MP and Des Turner MP have asked for an enquiry into the actions of the police and the subsequent suspension of six students following the recent demonstration. I am pleased the Sussex six have been reinstated, one incident should not be allowed to damage their education over the long-term.

I write to pledge my support for your March for Jobs and apologise for not being able to join you today.
The fight to ensure high levels of employment in Brighton & Hove is crucial to all of us and not just those in the effected industries and the importance of solidarity across all the communities of the City is essential.

Whether it is the University, the banks, the railways, the fire service or the Council the fight to protect jobs and services is at the heart of my beliefs. I have a long history of working with and for the trade union movement and promise to you all that should I be elected to Parliament my support will not waver.

Good luck with your campaign and my very best wishes to you all.

Nancy Platts

In the manifesto the CBT says a better transport system means more choice for getting around, including the possibility of leaving the car at home more often.

The manifesto says: “What do we mean by 'better'? Trains and buses that compete with the car in terms of costs and ease: high-quality services; cheap, straightforward fares; public transport we can all use, regardless of mobility; and an integrated system, so that buses and trams and trains and taxi-buses all connect to each other, giving us a door-to-door service.”

That sounds like common sense to me.

Like most residents in Brighton and Hove, I use and support public transport. Lots of people I know have cars (and we need to ensure that people who need cars and vehicles for work and other reasons can continue to use them) but everyone in our City walks, cycles or takes the bus and train sometimes. I want to ensure public transport is used as much as possible and that means improvements. I want to see greater spending and better services from all the public transport in Brighton and for those commuting to and from Brighton.

Personally, I don't have a car so I often use public transport, walk and cycle around the city. I also support the idea of a rapid transit bus system to connect Brighton with nearby towns to help tackle congestion and parking problems.

That’s why I am supporting the CBT Manifesto. And it’s not just a recent conversion because I’m parliamentary candidate: I’ve been committed to public transport for many years.

I was on the CBT board when it was called Transport 2000, the environmental transport campaign, and I remain a member. I have also worked for the railway trade union TSSA as head of policy and firmly support a publicly owned, publicly accountable railway. My campaign is also backed by TSSA and the RMT trade union.

After six months of talks the Conservative Council is proposing cuts to pay of up to £8,000. It is nothing short of disgraceful that cuts on this scale could be proposed as a means to resolve the equal pay dispute. Many refuse collectors would be faced with the prospect of earning less than half the average salary in Brighton. In the circumstances it is not surprising that there was a 94% vote for strike action.

There is no need to spend unnecessary funds building a new Fire Station when the current facility can easily serve all the people of Brighton and Hove without massive spending. As firefighters based at Preston Circus say: "We see no reason why a change of location to a modern soulless building is necessary. Our station is a legacy to the men and women who have tirelessly served this city from within its walls for the past seventy years. We are proud to work in such a fine building and believe the construction of a new station will be a costly mistake."

I hope you'll support the campaign to Save Brighton Fire Station. Here's how you can help:

Sign the Number 10 petition.

Support our Facebook Group and show your support.

Find out more from the official Save Brighton Fire Station website.

“Thanks again for your help with the mosaic in support of Wellington Chibebe and Lovemore Matombo of the ZCTU. We had a great response and were able to use nearly all of the photos that were sent in as part of the mosaic.

We thought you might like to know the mosaic is being featured now as part of a new solidarity site from the ITUC, www.wearezctu.org . You can now zoom in to the image to find yourself in greater detail.

The reason for the new site is not a happy one though. Lovemore and Wellington's trial was postponed until this coming Wednesday - 30 July. Their draconian bail conditions have continued during this time, infringing their human rights to speak out about their situation.

A lot hangs in the balance on Wednesday, and the ITUC hopes many unionists will visit the site, adding their messages of support, and crucially helping to spread the word as much as possible around the web, using services like digg or Facebook.

Let's show that the eyes of the world are on the court in Harare, and see if we can get the charges dropped against our ZCTU colleagues.

Please take a second now to find out how you can help, and zoom in to see yourself in the mosaic at: www.wearezctu.org

David Lepper MP and I have also written a joint letter to the Home Secretary calling for reassurance that Zimbabwean asylum seekers will not be forced back to their country at such a dangerous time.