Libby Quinlan, Birmingham Socialist Party
Socialist Party members joined trade union activists and disabled campaigners at the Birmingham Crips Against Cuts protest to oppose Labour’s proposed cuts to welfare. We were taking a stand against Rachel Reeves’s attack on the most vulnerable in our society.
Labour plans to slash disability benefits, launching an attack on vulnerable workers, with £5 billion cuts proposed. This is just the start of further austerity and cuts to come.
Speakers echoed the concerns of many disabled people. The cuts would see over a million Personal Independent Payment (PIP) claimants impacted by ‘tightened eligibility’, forcing many into poverty. The mood remained elevated as many highlighted the need for an anti-capitalist approach in the fightback against the cuts.
During our discussions with members of the public, many expressed outrage in response to Labour’s latest attack. While we were leafletting for the people’s budget meeting organised by West Midlands Shop Stewards Network, many members of the public questioned the affiliation of trade unions to the Labour Party. We call on trade unions to fight against cuts, with the involvement of disabled workers.
People’s Budget
The Birmingham People’s Budget meeting on 26 April, will allow an open dialogue with trade unionists and community campaigns, in order to create an organised approach to opposing the abhorrent cuts facing the city. A local campaign to defend services and opposing austerity at the ballot box can also be used as a model on how to fight Labour government cuts, such as to welfare, on a national level.
How can council cuts be ended?
Conference to debate a people’s budget for Birmingham
Saturday 26 April, 12pm
Comfort Inn, Station Street, B5 4DY
Organised by West Midlands Shop Stewards Network
