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From The Socialist newspaper, 25 January 2017
Isle of Wight independents resign over cuts
photo Paul Mattsson (Click to enlarge)
The chief independent councillors on the Isle of Wight have resigned over central government funding cuts.
The council's leader and deputy "continually requested the Conservative government to recognise" the need for more funding. Their requests went unheeded.
Even attempts to challenge 'sustainability and transformation plan' NHS cuts received the response "that such action may prejudice other funding - essentially a form of blackmail."
Standing down rather than attacking local workers and residents is nobler than the spineless compliance of most councillors. But it won't solve the problem. Only fighting back has the potential to do that.
Anti-cuts councillors must set no-cuts budgets using reserves and borrowing powers. This would buy time to build a mass working class campaign to win the needed funds from Westminster. Any councillors unwilling to do this should stand aside - for fighters, not cutters.
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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.
- 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 25 January 2017:
What we think
NHS under attack
NHS SOS: Save the Women's Hospital
Defiant mood at North Tyneside STP consultation
Lancashire: Hospital workers protest consultation
Paignton: organising against hospital closure
Socialist Party news and analysis
Reject Surrey's 15% council tax increase
Bristol police taser own race relations adviser
2016 hottest year on record, air poisonous
Wales council votes to buy back homes
Isle of Wight independents resign over cuts
Come to the TUSC national conference 2017!
International socialist news and analysis
Huge anger internationally on marches against Trump
India: struggle against land grab in Pune
Workplace news and analysis
RMT determinedly continues Southern strike
Incensed BA cabin crew strike and protest over pay
Steely opposition growing to Tata pension offer
2017 Unite general secretary and executive elections
Socialist Party Marxist analysis
Don't we need competition to spur on progress?
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
Huge anger against Trump across Britain
South London: march to save community centres
Obituary: Bernard Roome 1947-2017
Socialist readers' comments and reviews
Ed Balls: 'Speaking Out' for capitalism
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