Ben Golightly, Swansea Socialist Party and DPAC Wales
It’s hard to predict exactly what Budget Day will bring. The Socialist goes to press before we know. The government itself doesn’t seem to know, hinting at policies one day, only to U-turn the next.
What is certain is that Labour are determined to deliver a “pro-business Budget”, while our public services continue to be cut. With the British economy literally stagnant, this can only mean a Budget that attacks the working class.
The government remains determined to pick on disabled people, starting with Motability cuts and the demonisation of young disabled people. Labour has also signalled its willingness to take more from pensioners – current and future.
Torsten Bell
The Swansea West Labour MP, Torsten Bell, was promoted in August to lead preparations. He is co-chairing the ‘Budget board’ that meets weekly with City of London business leaders.
Where are his weekly meetings with worker and community representatives? Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC) Cymru asked for one, months ago. His office said he was too busy.
Bell, barely a year into his job as an MP, put his name to the disastrous disability cuts bill. It was defeated decisively.
When Bell’s fingerprints are all over an anti-working-class Budget on 26 November, there can be no doubt that he is not only failing to represent us, he is actively working to the detriment of our communities.
But we are fighting back
Swansea is in a rolling boil, witnessing a confident strike from First Cymru bus workers, a recent victory for Swansea health workers in Unison, a no-confidence vote over £25 million of job cuts at Swansea University, higher education staff in Unite balloting for strike action over pay, communities mobilising against the government’s division and scapegoating, and disabled people furious at the open contempt the Labour government is showing us.
The question of working-class political representation is crying out. Trade unions and communities must take up shared demands, and give it political expression.
Socialist Party members put forward the need for a new workers’ party, based on the trade unions, with disabled people at its heart. ‘Your Party’ urgently needs to steer in this direction.
DPAC Cymru is appealing for everyone affected by the Budget to protest together on Saturday 29 November, 1pm, Swansea Castle.
