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From The Socialist newspaper, 6 January 2016
What we saw: Sadiq Khan's promises on London transport
Our news editor was leafleted by Labour right-winger Sadiq Khan's election team on his way in to work. Khan is standing for London mayor, and transport is a centrepiece of his campaign.
Commuting in the capital is extortionate. So what exactly does he propose?
"Freeze all tube and bus fares for four years."
This is better than hiking them further. But Khan's own material points out that the cost of travelling from zones one to three has zoomed up by £2,076 since Boris Johnson took power. Why not reverse the hikes, and end the misery rather than maintaining it?
"Fund this freeze through TfL [Transport for London] efficiency savings and reserves."
Ah, "efficiency savings" - the flimsy old euphemism for cuts. Sack the staff, knacker the infrastructure, sell the assets.
Temporarily spending reserves, on the other hand, can make sense. But that's if - like the Socialist Party - you have a strategy to win the money back from central government. Khan doesn't seem to.
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The coronavirus crisis has laid bare the class character of society in numerous ways. It is making clear to many that it is the working class that keeps society running, not the CEOs of major corporations.
The results of austerity have been graphically demonstrated as public services strain to cope with the crisis.
The government has now ripped up its 'austerity' mantra and turned to policies that not long ago were denounced as socialist. But after the corona crisis, it will try to make the working class pay for it, by trying to claw back what has been given.
- The Socialist Party's material is more vital than ever, so we can continue to report from workers who are fighting for better health and safety measures, against layoffs, for adequate staffing levels, etc.
- When the health crisis subsides, we must be ready for the stormy events ahead and the need to arm workers' movements with a socialist programme - one which puts the health and needs of humanity before the profits of a few.
Inevitably, during the crisis we have not been able to sell the Socialist and raise funds in the ways we normally would.
We therefore urgently appeal to all our viewers to donate to our Fighting Fund.
In The Socialist 6 January 2016:
What we think
2016: Crisis-ridden capitalism will meet with bitter mood of resistance
No retreat on resisting council cuts!
Socialist Party news and analysis
Support junior doctors' and student nurses' action
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What we saw: Sadiq Khan's promises on London transport
Socialist Party feature
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Workplace news and analysis
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Socialist readers' comments and reviews
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Socialist Party reports and campaigns
A 'People's Budget' to defeat cruel cuts
Stop the closure of Calderstones hospital!
2015 marks best fighting fund total this century!
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