Southampton Labour must bin Tory cuts!

Anti-cuts protesters in Southampton, photo by Paul Mattsson (Click to enlarge)

Southampton Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) campaigners, including Socialist Party members, staged a protest on 15 November outside the city's civic centre against cuts to the weekly bin collection service. TUSC campaigners pointed out that the cut to the weekly bin collection is only a budget for rats, fly-tipping and increased health problems.

The cuts are part of the huge austerity cuts imposed by the Tory government. "It is time for (council leader) Simon Letts and his Labour councillors to say enough is enough and use the council's powers to set a legal no-cuts budget using reserves and prudential borrowing to protect jobs and services," said TUSC

"The re-election victory of Jeremy Corbyn was based on opposition to Tory austerity. Austerity is a choice. Southampton Labour council must reject further cuts and build a mass campaign of council workers, their unions and the city community to demand the restoration of the £100 million government funding stolen from Southampton since 2010."

"To build such a campaign Southampton Labour should call a budget conference of the local trade unions and community organisations to establish the needs of the city and set a budget. Such a stand would receive massive support from those hammered by cuts. If an appeal was made to other Labour councils to follow suit, such a campaign could force a retreat from the government's attacks on local council funding."

"Southampton Labour councillors should refuse to implement Tory cuts or resign and make way for those who are prepared to fight."

Nick Chaffey, secretary and Sue Atkins, chair: Southampton TUSC

The Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) is an electoral alliance involving the RMT transport union, the Socialist Party, other socialist groups and leading members of trade unions. Visit the TUSC website www.tusc.org.uk

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Coronavirus crisis - Finance appeal

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.
Our 'fighting coronavirus workers' charter', outlines a programme to combat the virus and protect workers' living conditions.
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.