Kevin Bennett, Warrington Labour rebel councillor, addresses the 70-strong lobby of the Labour councillors' meeting to suspend him, photo Adam Hemsley

Kevin Bennett, Warrington Labour rebel councillor, addresses the 70-strong lobby of the Labour councillors’ meeting to suspend him, photo Adam Hemsley   (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)

Following on from the 4 April demonstration outside the disciplinary hearing of rebel Labour councillor Kevin Bennett, a joint meeting of Warrington Trades Council and the newly formed Warrington Against the Cuts was held on 10 April.

Kevin told the meeting that, for taking a stand and voting against the £14 million cuts to be made in 2013, he had been suspended indefinitely from the ruling Labour group.

Both the trades council and WATC pledged their support for Kevin and any other councillor willing to stand up against austerity.

Local activists and residents talked of the problems facing the town due to austerity, from the lack of council housing and child services, to the proposed test of universal credit in the area.

A campaign to support Kevin in his ward and another anti-bedroom tax public meeting were planned. A campaign stall will take place on Saturday 20 April at 10.30am, Golden Gates Shopping Centre. Check www.facebook.com/WarringtonAgainstTheCuts for more info.

Adam Hemsley