Link to this page: https://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/1062/29797
From The Socialist newspaper, 30 October 2019
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Youth clubs cuts are a mistake
The Thornhill Youth Centre in Southampton is being bulldozed to make way for unaffordable flats. Council-funded youth services ceased in the city in 2013. Since then, the Thornhill building leaser has struggled to cover rent.
The council, who own the building, have stepped in and sold the land to housing developers.
My mum, now in her late 50s, grew up in the area. She told me: "The youth club has always been a place for young people to hang out. We used to play badminton and table tennis there. It's sad to see all the facilities, which build community, being literally destroyed."
Josh, who was part of the 'save our youth services' campaign in 2012, told me: "When the council first voted to stop all funding for youth services, they said the services would be run by volunteers and stay open."
"We warned that volunteers and charities would be unable to maintain the services and the council would wait for them to be run down and sell the land for profit - which is exactly what has happened!"
A few weeks ago, city leaders initiated controversial Section 60 stop-and-search powers following a serious knife incident less than a mile from the youth club. It's no surprise to residents that the lack of youth facilities is making communities less safe, particularly for young people.
Bea Gardner, Southampton
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Publicly owned public transport is solution
Claire Wilkins' article in issue 1061 was spot on and showed graphically how out of touch with reality the leaders of Extinction Rebellion (XR) are. (See 'Extinction Rebellion action opens up divisions on how to stop climate change' at socialistparty.org.uk).
Public transport is part of the solution to climate change. But XR take the position that because buses or trains produce some carbon emissions, then they are as bad as cars.
The private ownership of public transport and the 'pro-car' policies of both central and local governments, blunt the effectiveness of public transport.
Huge cuts in subsidies have caused routes to be axed. This means that workers in rural areas must own a car or become a prisoner in their own community.
Extinction Rebellion should campaign for policies such as massive public investment and public ownership of transport. Socialists are correct to campaign for these polices in the environmental movement.
Clive Walder, Birmingham
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Homeless problem is an abomination
A tent encampment is just across the road from the Stratford Westfield shopping centre, east London, and adjacent to new high rise block flats for the super-rich. An abomination!
We need a mass council house building programme and rent control in Newham and everywhere. Not fake 'affordable', but genuinely, for the working class and poor.
And no more of Labour-run councils putting humans in containers or converted tiny office space in soulless buildings. Or shipping the homeless out of London, as Newham council did.
There are plenty of empty homes and buildings that can be refurbished in Newham and elsewhere that councils should turn into quality homes.
Niall Mulholland, Newham, east London
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In The Socialist 30 October 2019:
What we think
Anti-austerity, socialist policies can be a winning formula
News
Tories out now. Bin Boris. Corbyn can win with socialist policies!
39 migrants found dead in Essex lorry container
Wall Street Crash
The 1929 Wall Street Crash: When the capitalist system was on its knees
Workplace news
PCS union election: For a fighting democratic general secretary
PCS: Support Marion Lloyd - a history of workers' struggle and a programme for the future
McDonald's - Striking to end low pay
London - 'autumn of discontent'
RMT election: Fight the cuts, vote for Jared Wood
Uni workers' pay and pension strike ballot
Butterfields
How working-class tenants beat Gentrification
Black history
Black Liberation... Only possible through socialist struggle
Obituary - Bob Lee: 1954 - 2019
International socialist news and analysis
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
Enfield North socialists lobby candidate stitch-up
Donate to fund the fightback at Socialism 2019
Chile protests - London solidarity rally
Reader's opinion
Film reviews: Sorry We Missed You by Ken Loach
TV: The Accident - Will capitalism be exposed in upsetting, true-to-life drama?
Opinion: Labour Party is structured to block left councillors
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