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Link to this page: https://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/967/26317
From The Socialist newspaper, 18 October 2017
Uprising to save the NHS!
Socialist Party member Steve Score speaking at the demo to save Grantham A&E and the NHS, 14.10.17, photo by East Midlands Socialist Party (Click to enlarge)
Heather Rawling
An NHS 'uprising' took place in Grantham, Lincolnshire, on Saturday 14 October! A determined 800-strong demonstration wound its way through the town. People are fighting against the night time closure of Grantham A&E and the systematic downgrading of services in their local hospital.
But this was more than just about Grantham A&E. Campaigners in Louth created a banner around the theme of an NHS uprising against cuts, closures and privatisation.
After their local protest they took it to a Lincoln protest against the closure of a walk-in centre and then Grantham. Their plan is to take it around elsewhere where there are threats to the NHS as a way of helping to build links between campaigns.
Fiery speeches from many campaigners, including NHS staff, explained the impact of losing services. This included a speech from Socialist Party member Steve Score, representing the Save Glenfield Children's Hospital campaign.
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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 18 October 2017:
What we think
Socialist Party news and analysis
Schools "can't go any further" - stop the cuts: set deficit budgets now
Young people being strangled by debts
Tories scrap the NHS pay cap: now fight for real-terms pay rises!
Obesity epidemic: end food market anarchy
Socialist Party workplace news
Royal Mail bosses block strike - back postal workers
PCS ballots members on the pay cap
Nationalise to save jobs at BAE Systems
Striking back against sackers' charter at Leeds Uni
North London hospital workers fight cuts and job losses
Unite local government sector plans strike ballot
Salford Unison condemns pay cuts
October revolution 1917
Russia, October 1917: When workers took power
October 1917 reviews: 'More bright than any heaven'
October 1917 centenary pull-out and poster
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
No cuts - hands off King George A&E!
Can you donate to the Socialism 2017 appeal?
Hundreds turn out for rally aimed at removing west Wales Tory MP
Sheffield Labour council threatens peaceful protesters with prison
Socialist Students 'welcome' Hillary Clinton to Swansea
International socialist news and analysis
Campaign against political repression in Hong Kong
Socialist Party comments and reviews
Powerful picture of the Port Talbot steel workers' struggle
Conference on state spies: who's watching who?
'Dazzling' Bad Art show points to socialist future
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