Join us today!
Printable version
Link to this page: https://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/925/23941
From The Socialist newspaper, 16 November 2016
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
Why not click here to join the Socialist Party, or click here to donate to the Socialist Party.
In The Socialist 16 November 2016:
It's Socialism or Trumpism
Trump victory: Failure of the Democrat establishment
Lessons for Britain: Trump victory shows the right can't beat the right
Socialism 2016
Socialism 2016: Electrifying and powerful weekend puts socialism on the agenda
Socialist Party workplace news
Mass prison officer walkout over health and safety
Durham teaching assistants strike: 2,000 walk out
London Underground: RMT wins victory
Steel workers' pensions under threat again
Deliveroo couriers get organised
Socialist Party news and analysis
Support the campaign to readmit expelled socialists
Secret hospital closures: bosses must come clean
£1.5trn household debt - nationalise the banks!
Court win against bedroom tax not enough
Socialist Party youth and students
Students and workers unite and fight!
Privatisation and the 'race to the bottom'
Privatisation and the 'race to the bottom'
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
Southampton Labour must bin Tory cuts!
Cumbria: Stop axing care home places
TUSC vindicated in censorship protest
Bristol campaigners demand anti-austerity alternative
Socialist readers' comments and reviews
A Street Cat Named Bob: tale of neglect by capitalism
Home | The Socialist 16 November 2016 | Join the Socialist Party
Subscribe | Donate | Audio | PDF | ebook
2018