Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/514/3570
From The Socialist newspaper, 13 December 2007
Unite Cardiff schools campaigns
OPPOSITION FROM angry parents is hitting Cardiff's Liberal-controlled council's school closures programme. Over 200 people packed out a recent meeting to tell the council that its "investment plan" for the east of Cardiff is an asset-stripping exercise, designed to demolish schools and sell off as much public land as possible.
Ross Saunders
Speakers lambasted the council and its fake consultation process, set to end in late December. Despite a petition of nearly 9,000 names circulating against the plan, the council claims that the opposition it encountered didn't represent the views of the whole community.
People can see they have to get organised in their own campaigns and protests to stop the council forcing the plan through. In the west of Cardiff too, Cwrt-yr-Ala primary school has pledged to fight cutbacks that would push out half the local children who currently attend it.
Around 500 parents, children, teachers and other school workers from Lansdowne primary school in Canton marched and disrupted a council meeting with their home-made protest songs and chants.
One protester said "Our school hasn't got surplus places, it's got smaller class sizes!" and pledged to campaign for the council to withdraw the closure plan.
Crucially, the beginnings of an all-Cardiff Save Our Schools campaign are now emerging. Even if each local campaign succeeds in forcing their local councillors - facing re-election next year - to oppose cutbacks in their own backyard, they will lose unless they can pressure the other fifty-odd councillors to also oppose them.
Co-ordinated, united action between Lansdowne, Llanrumney, Llanedeyrn and the others could force the council to drop the closures plan completely, thus saving every school threatened.
Why not click here to join the Socialist Party, or click here to donate to the Socialist Party.
In The Socialist 13 December 2007:
Scotland
Defend Tommy Sheridan: End Murdoch's witch-hunt
Tommy Sheridan: End Murdoch's vendetta
Socialist Party NHS campaign
Warning: NHS cuts seriously damage your health
Manchester: Karen Reissmann sacked - and cuts still loom
Post Office dispute
What we think
Interest rate cut will bring no reprieve
Global Warming
Thousands march against climate change
Socialist Party news and analysis
Sefton's first citizen "cheating the system"
Unite Cardiff schools campaigns
Socialist Students
National Union of Students: Right wing force through undemocratic changes
Leicester students debate tuition fees
International socialist news and analysis
Beijing Olympics under a cloud
China: Mass protests erupt in Shenyang
Extraordinary tape destruction at CIA torture camp
Workplace news and analysis
DWP strike: Fighting the pay cuts
Birmingham city council: Workers boo 'lead balloon' councillors
Action can beat Cadbury closure threat
Newham council sack Unison chair
Home | The Socialist 13 December 2007 | Join the Socialist Party
Join us today!
Printable version
email to friend
