Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/727/14903
From The Socialist newspaper, 18 July 2012
Bankers are "useless mouths"
There is - quite rightly - outrage when far-right thugs attack disabled people. Cameron and the media do just the same, using their wealth and power rather than their fists.
Disabled people are among the hardest hit by cuts. Cameron's ideological assault echoes the eugenicist argument that disabled people are "useless mouths." People can see many "useless mouths" around the cabinet table, in the banks and boardrooms.
The Disabled Teachers' Conference on 30 June-1 July involved speakers from UCU and PCS unions who are also involved in opposing the ferocious attack on disabled people.
Sasha Callaghan of UCU described a "reign of terror" by the undeserving rich against the poor. "The government's attitude to the poor harks back to the 19th century Poor Law. Our past is in front of us." The NUT's Allan Grey added that after Cameron's vicious attacks on disabled people, we might believe "the Labour Party would represent us but I hardly need to say we can't."
PCS representative, Austin Harney, revealed that PCS members are being disciplined for merely telling claimants that they have a right to "access to work" support. But PCS has balloted on its political fund so they will be able to stand trade union candidates against pro-cuts candidates from any political party.
The government thinks disabled people are weak and have no allies. Certainly many charities which disabled people depend on folded in the face of the government onslaught. Downing Street should be in the middle of a perfect storm of recrimination from the charities but they are not.
The butcher has his big knife, but the lamb to be slaughtered has an open mind! Only a fighting, socialist, trade union movement can provide the strong allies that disabled people need.
Derek McMillan, Mid Sussex Socialist Party
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In The Socialist 18 July 2012:
Socialist Party news and analysis
March and strike against austerity
Miliband and Labour - no real alternative to Con-Dems
Tories stick the boot in on care funding
Oppose the closure of the Independent Living Fund
Witch-hunting Unison leadership "shabby" declares judge
Wales NHS - Reject the Case for Cuts report
Socialist Party workplace news
Support striking Remploy workers!
RMT cleaners Trans-Pennine Express strike
Fighting against exploitation of seafarers and port workers
2012 London Olympics
Olympics: The greatest sporting, and money-making, show on earth
Olympics G4S scandal shows failure of privatisation
Bosses bank in on corporate olympics - we get austerity!
Teachers fight school privatisation
Top-up fees: £50,000 debt leads to to 50,000 less students
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
Southampton: two Labour councillors vote against Labour council cuts
Bristol protests counter racist EDL
Tolpuddle festival shows fightback needed today
International socialist news and analysis
Brazil: 'Miracle' economy slows
Solidarity picket of Turkish Airlines
Reviews and comments
Review: BBC TV documentary "When I get older"
Music review: Long live the struggle by The King Blues
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