Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/634/10054
From The Socialist newspaper, 4 August 2010
Waltham Forest's Labour council faces opposition
On a lovely summer's evening a very dirty deed was done, and probably only the first of many. At a full council meeting in Waltham Forest town hall, all 31 Labour councillors present slavishly raised their hands to vote through the first round of cuts.
Unbelievably this was an overwhelming victory over the handful of Liberals and Tories in the council meeting who voted 'no'.
An initial £2.6 million was lopped off, mainly from social services. But a total of £37.2 million is likely to be cut over the next 2.5 years. Social services will be further underfunded, giving rise to fears of more 'baby P' tragedies. This was highlighted by Nancy Taaffe, Socialist Party member and trade unionist, who was allowed to address the councillors.
She appealed to Labour councillors to stand by workers and not to be the henchmen and women for the millionaire government.
Library workers watched the proceedings, outraged at the arrogance of some councillors. One young graduate, unable to find work, said he was almost embarrassed at the level of debate. It would have been sub-standard in a secondary school.
On election day Labour councillors couldn't believe their luck. Workers who lined up to vote in the general election had some inkling that they would need protection at local level if a Tory government was to get in, so they chose to vote Labour in the council elections.
Now Labour councillors are turning into axe-carriers for the coalition government. We lobbied these councillors as they went in. Not one had a decent argument to defend their position.
Most had absolutely nothing to say, apart from "blame the Tories and Liberals", even those from active trade union backgrounds.
But they haven't reckoned on us. Over 40 campaigners and leading local trade unionists have since met to found Waltham Forest Anti-Cuts Union as an inclusive network of activists.
We are determined not to let these cuts proceed without a fight.
Linda Taaffe
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In The Socialist 4 August 2010:
We need 'biggest movement since poll tax'
Anti-cuts campaign
'Radical' cuts require serious action
Waltham Forest's Labour council faces opposition
Coventry campaigners fight cuts of £140 million
Swansea trades council leads battle for services
Campaigners answer Bristol's 'Big Conversation'
Cuts news: Mental health services facing the axe
War and occupation
Afghanistan: US strategy in disarray
Accademies
Oppose divisive academies policy
Workplace news and analysis
Talks resume at British Airways
Angry workers strike over pay freeze and bosses' bonuses
Witch-hunted Unison activist wins tribunal
Workplace Debate
Unite general secretary election
Youth fight for jobs
We won't be a lost generation, fight for jobs and education!
No to privatisation of our universities
For real jobs, not slave labour
Environment and socialism
Profiting from wrecking the environment
Tamil Solidarity
Daily Mail admits guilt over smearing Tamil hunger striker
Socialist Party LGBT
Socialist Party events
Socialism 2010 - a weekend of discussion and debate
International socialist news and analysis
Love Parade catastrophe was entirely preventable
Garment workers demand a living wage
Socialist Party news and analysis
Tories put profits before patients
Rich just carry on getting richer
Review & Comment
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