Save our fire service!

Chris Newby

On 16 March, firefighters and supporters will be out in force protesting against London mayor Boris Johnson’s plans to cut £50 million from London’s fire service.

After twice rejecting Johnson’s plans, as reported in a previous issue of the Socialist, under legal threat from Johnson, the London fire authority have agreed to a consultation on these cuts which will mean 12 fire stations closing, 18 engines going and 520 firefighters losing their jobs.

These cuts will have a devastating effect leaving five million Londoners in 20 boroughs having to wait longer for a fire engine to arrive.

As part of their campaign, London Fire Brigades Union (FBU) are calling on firefighters and supporters to go out on a mass leaflet this weekend.

Firefighters at Clapham fire station (one of the stations threatened with closure) have organised a demo on 16 March.

This follows on from a packed meeting of over 100, angry at the threat to close their fire station.

Further meetings have been planned around London to build support for the campaign against these cuts.

We say no to any cuts in London’s fire service and reverse the privatisations. The Socialist Party backs the FBU’s campaign against all cuts to London’s fire service, including strike action if necessary.

The demonstration in Clapham should also be used as a step towards organising a London-wide demo in defence of London’s fire service.