Chris Corney, Waltham Forest Socialist Party
Labour-run Waltham Forest Council is threatening to close the Markhouse Centre, a day centre that has served disabled adults for over 40 years. Socialist Party members joined 30 people, who rely on Markhouse, at a protest outside the council.
Family members and users of the centre – who came to the protest called by the local trades union council – spoke movingly to the committee of councillors who are reviewing the closure plan. Some were clearly desperate at the prospect of losing the day centre, which provides the only respite they get from full-time care for loved ones with very serious needs. Many said how devastating the loss of the community would be for the 53 adults who attend the centre, some of them for decades.
Addressing the Labour councillors, Socialist Party member Nancy Taaffe said: “Your people are in government, and you rule locally. We urge you to make a stand, and save the Markhouse Centre.”
The reason given by the council for the closure is a survey report, which claims that the building requires £1.2 million for repairs. We disagree with these figures.
The suspicion is that the site is being eyed up for redevelopment. Sheepish Labour councillors were forced to admit that cost was clearly driving the closure plan.
Later Nancy, who is also assistant secretary of the trades council, told the committee to “grow a spine”, stating that “every service that has gone has just become a block of flats”. Socialist Party member Paula Mitchell challenged councillors from the public gallery to use the £39 million of reserves they are sitting on, and set a budget based on needs, not on austerity.
Cuts to vital services are continuing under Labour, and the removal of the Tories from office has made no difference. But affected communities are fighting back. The Socialist Party offers solidarity, and gives confidence that if the working class is organised, we can resist cuts.
Anyone who can support this campaign should join the public meeting, called by Waltham Forest Trades Council.
Thursday 24 October, 7pm
Wiilliam Morris Community Centre, Greenleaf Road, E17
