CWU Candidates Programme
Politics has been a game for the rich for too long. We need a new generation of working-class people representing us.
The CWU Candidates Programme is designed to enrich our members’ political education, provide opportunities to learn new skills and encourage workers to stand in local and national elections.
This exciting programme will help prepare members from across the union to run for political office as a Labour candidate and help strengthen the interests of working people in the political arena. As part of the CWU’s new political strategy, our programme’s agenda will centre around building collectivism in local communities and preparing candidates to put forward a bold and transformative agenda.
Alongside a small cohort of politically active members from across the country, successful candidates will attend a series of events, designed to solidify their political education, develop their public speaking skills and enable them to connect their communities with trade unions- as well as preparing them to run an election campaign.
If selected, you will access first-class broadcast and social media training, detailed guidance on electoral procedure and hear from experienced speakers across the labour movement. The programme will also run sessions on Community Wealth Building, economic justice and building collectivism in local communities.
Other candidate schemes have prioritised Westminster-focused training and resources for electoral candidates. The CWU will deliver a programme that ensures candidates will be focused on improving the links between trade unions and their local communities, rather than solely on Parliament and the internal workings of the Labour Party.
We know that change is built from the ground up. Now, it is time to shake up the establishment and put working class communities at the forefront of politics. If you are a CWU member and passionate about transforming your community, consider applying for the next iteration of the CWU Candidates Programme. Applications will open in early 2024.