Councillor Kevin Bennett speaking (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)
Anti-cuts councillor supports Bedroom Tax protest
Warrington made a good start in its battle against the ‘bedroom tax’ on Saturday, the original event having been postponed as it clashed with the anniversary events for the Warrington bombing 20 years ago.
About 20-30 people, nearly all new to political activity, assembled outside the ‘Golden Gates’ to the Town Hall, following a Facebook invite.
Warrington councillor Kevin Bennett (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)
The meeting was addressed by rebel councillor Kevin Bennett, the first Labour councillor in the north-west to vote against cuts.
Kevin described the calls he is getting from constituents in his deprived ward of Fairfield and Howley, from people who just do not know what they are going to do when the bedroom tax and other welfare cuts come in.
Those attending ranged from those who simply cannot afford this latest cut, to trade unionists outraged at the treatment of the poor and vulnerable.
There was much disgust at the constant demonisation of the unemployed and disabled. A Warrington Against the Cuts group has been formed to continue the fight, and can be found on Facebook.
Kevin faces a Labour Party disciplinary hearing this Thursday for daring to vote against the cuts, following his conscience and beliefs.
A lobby in his defence has been called by Warrington Trades Council and Unite the Union north-west political committee. Many of the bedroom tax protesters said they would be there.
Andy Ford, Warrington Trades Council
This version of this article was first posted on the Socialist Party website on 2 April 2013 and may vary slightly from the version subsequently printed in The Socialist.
