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From The Socialist newspaper, 9 May 2018
Obituary: Tony Byrne 1939 - 2018
Tony Byrne, photo Dave Sinclair (Click to enlarge)
The labour movement has suffered a blow by the death of our good comrade, ex-Liverpool city Labour councillor Tony Byrne.
Tony played an outstanding role in the campaign of the 47 surcharged Labour councillors in defending the city's working class, choosing to defy Thatcher's demand for cuts in jobs and services.
He was a major force in implementing the Urban Regeneration Strategy. This meant building thousands of council houses, sports centres, new parks and much more.
Tony was tough and uncompromising. In an age of sharp suits, he was more comfortable dressed in a tracksuit and trainers, eschewing the norms which were usually associated with being a city councillor.
Like his Militant-supporting comrades and other members of the 47, he regarded the District Labour Party as the parliament of the labour movement whose policies councillors were obliged to implement.
We send our condolences to Tony's wife and family.
Tony Mulhearn, former Liverpool city councillor
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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.
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In The Socialist 9 May 2018:
Local elections 2018
Local election results are a major warning sign for Labour
Southampton: Keith Morrell, anti-cuts councillor, re-elected
Haringey councillors need to fight austerity now
TUSC vote up in Waltham Forest but many voters stay away
TUSC stands against Birmingham council's cuts and attacks on workers
Strong TUSC result in Huddersfield
France '68
France '68: History's greatest general strike erupts
Socialist Party news and analysis
US president suggests gun control to blame for London knife deaths
Use TUC march as launch pad for action on pay
Breast cancer screening scandal
Israel/Palestine
Socialists fight for Palestinian liberation and workers' unity
Socialists in Israel-Palestine reject establishment antisemitism charge against Jeremy Corbyn
Obituaries
Roger Shrives, 5 April 1947 - 1 May 2018
Keith Pattenden 28 September 1955 - 1 May 2018
Obituary: Tony Byrne 1939 - 2018
Socialist Party workplace news
Hull Energy Works: Unofficial strike action reinstates victimised workers
Defend Hull FE College - defend our city!
Victory against academisation at Avenue Primary
Firefighters ballot for action
PCS: A fighting strategy to defeat the Tory pay cap
International socialist news and analysis
Teachers revolt in Trump country
China: Impressive, coordinated and daring crane drivers' strikes
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