Bradford Labour hike council tax 15%
‘Where are we supposed to get the money?’
Iain Dalton, Leeds and West Yorkshire Socialist Party
It took us five minutes to pack down our Socialist Party campaign stall opposing the council’s proposal to increase council tax by 15%, such were the numbers of working-class people locally wanting to sign our petition.
Over the hour and a half we’d been campaigning before this, sheet after sheet had been filled in, with people telling us: “Where are we supposed to get the money for it? Water is going up, gas is going up as well”.
Others commented on the Labour government watering down its plans to clampdown on non-dom tax dodgers. “The rich are getting richer”, was a common refrain.
We explained how the council’s response to decades of cuts shouldn’t be piling the cost of it on workers, with service cuts and tax rises. Instead, the Labour council should demand the funding the city needs from the Labour government nationally.
We also raised nationalising the energy and water companies, and making the super-rich pay, not workers.
Birmingham – anger at Labour’s bin cuts
Nick Hart, Birmingham Socialist Party
“Why isn’t anyone being held accountable”, “you can’t trust any of them”, “time to put some ordinary people who live here in charge of the council”.
There was plenty of anger and distrust towards the Labour council on our Socialist Party campaign stall in Kings Heath against bin service cuts.
Until we get councillors willing to stand up to the Labour government for the funds we need, and work with communities and council staff, not against them, things will get worse.
We’re preparing to challenge the Labour councillors in next year’s elections. How can you help?
