North Tyneside

Battle of the Thatcherites!

IN A draconian measure to 'improve services' (read 'cut costs') North Tyneside's New Labour council wants to hire private companies to, potentially, run all of its services. The council also aims to become the first in the country to put all of its schools into 'arms length trusts.'

Elaine Brunskill

During last year's elections New Labour correctly attacked ex-Tory mayor Linda Arkley's plans for a privately owned council HQ, dubbing it 'Linda's palace.'

Now they plan to rent a privately owned town hall!

Ironically the former Tory mayor is complaining New Labour have taken over Thatcherite policies, and asking why local people haven't been consulted!

North Tyneside's chief executive officer Andrew Kerr told a local paper that privatisation seems: "uncomfortable because we're trying to move at speed", then adds "but the prize at the end of it will be so big it will be worth trying".

However, the 'prize' won't be for workers sacked by the council or for people who rely on using council services - it will be for big business.

New Labour and the Tories each accuse the other of Thatcherism.

This debacle highlights the need for a new mass workers' party which will fight in the interest of the working class.

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