Tessa Warrington, Leicester Socialist Party
We were out campaigning against cuts to disability benefits when two council enforcement officers approached our stall. They told us of the council’s incoming Public Space Protection Order (PSPO), whereby certain activities considered to cause harm or nuisance in public spaces are to be banned, unless they have special permission from the council.
We were informed that our collapsable stall table was deemed an ‘unauthorised structure’. They said that from the beginning of May, the PSPO will be enforced with on-the-spot fixed penalty notices of £100, and fines of up to £1,000 if the case goes to court.
Undemocratic
The order is being presented as a response to a public consultation, appearing to be democratic. The reality is the opposite.
Being longstanding class fighters in the community, Socialist Party activists in Leicester have seen similar consultations from the Labour council. The council claimed to carry out a consultation over cuts to SEND (special educational needs and disability) transport for 16-year-olds and over.
But most of the parents were unaware of it. A campaign forced the council to postpone, and carry out another consultation.
Many people coming into the city centre are frustrated by the number of charity muggers, or ‘chuggers’, religious groups with loud sound systems, and electric bikes and scooters whizzing past.
But behind the facade of being in the public interest are more insidious motives – sweeping increasing poverty under the carpet after the council axed most of our homeless shelters, and slyly clamping down on the freedoms of those who politically oppose them.
The Socialist Party doesn’t have rich backers. We are funded by our members and other workers who support what we do.
We cannot afford to pay for special permissions to use a stall table, that is if they would even allow us. You can bet that the sandwich boards and al fresco seating used in public spaces by businesses will not be considered ‘unauthorised structures’ under the PSPO. Once again, those with money can do what they want, and those without it cannot.
The council are no fools. After cutting millions from local services, most recently attacking disabled benefits claimants, those in power are well aware of their unpopularity.
No longer can the Leicester Labour council use a Tory government as an excuse. A Labour government is no different.
The council should not underestimate us. Nothing will stop us fighting to get our socialist ideas out there to the workers who want to hear them.
