James Gretten, Southampton Socialist Party
Socialist Party members Sue Atkins, on behalf of the Venny playground campaign, and Maggie Fricker, from Southampton Trades Union Council, delivered deputations to the Labour council, highlighting the devastating impacts of austerity on local communities and services.
The ‘Venny’ is the only local green space for 2,000 children. The council has failed to maintain it, instead suggesting community fundraising.
Sue critiqued this dereliction of duty: “We pay our council tax to provide the services we need, not to then have to raise our own funding on top of that.”
Replying to Sue, councillors said they were “absolutely committed to the maintenance of that space”, which is a victory for community campaign. We will now need to make sure they stick to their commitment to refurbish the Venny.
Maggie pointed out Southampton Labour’s failure to fight for its May local election pledge for the restoration of £500 million government funding cut since 2010. This could keep Startpoint Sholing nursery open, and expand good-quality nursery provision, in line with public sector union Unison policy.
The Labour council’s responses mirrored the fiscal rhetoric of prime minister Keir Starmer and chancellor Rachel Reeves. Maggie’s call for a trade union campaign alongside Southampton council to restore government funding was dismissed, with the council emphasising “fiscal responsibility” and “balancing the books”.
The legacy of Conservative austerity demonstrates that this only hollows out essential services. True fiscal responsibility comes from recognising that insufficient funding will inevitably render services unable to perform.
We need to continue campaigning in our communities, with council workers and their trade unions, to fight cuts to council jobs and services, as well as opposing increases in charges, rents, and council tax.
The decision to close Startpoint nursery has been challenged so the fight will continue.
Austerity is an attack on equality and justice, showing the underlying ills of capitalism, and the need to build a socialist movement.
