Joel Byers, South Tyne and Wearside Socialist Party
As soaring food and energy prices hit the working class hard, and twelve years of Conservative austerity have compounded problems in already deprived areas in the north east, Gateshead’s Labour council has announced plans to close leisure centres in the Gateshead area, holding consultations over the next month.
The Tories have cut funding to Gateshead council by £179 million in the twelve years since they came to power, and plan to cut another £55 million over the next five years. The major shopping centre in the area (the Metro centre) ironically has a leaflet in its ‘community hub space’ saying: “The community hub is aligned with Gateshead council’s 2030 vision strategy, encouraging and promoting healthy lifestyles for people in Gateshead and beyond.”
Unlike prime minister Rishi Sunak, the people of Gateshead cannot afford their own personal pool, and rely on the public leisure centres for clubs and exercise. And in a time of high rates of obesity and mental health issues, the thought of losing these vital services has turned frustration to anger at the Tory government, and the lack of opposition from Keir Starmer’s Labour.
What we really need is a party for the working class, a party that will stand against any cuts to our public services, a party that will stand with working people fighting for their conditions and decent pay. That’s why I will be standing as a candidate for TUSC in my area.
