The Socialist 25 January 2017

Organise to beat Trumpism, austerity and capitalism

Millions on women's marches around the world: Build a mass movement against Trumpism, austerity and capitalism

NHS SOS: Save the Women's Hospital

Defiant mood at North Tyneside STP consultation

Lancashire: Hospital workers protest consultation

St Austell: STPs attacked

Paignton: organising against hospital closure

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

Trident trouble

Isle of Wight independents resign over cuts

Come to the TUSC national conference 2017!

Huge anger internationally on marches against Trump

India: struggle against land grab in Pune

International news in brief

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

Don't we need competition to spur on progress?

Huge anger against Trump across Britain

Surrey: Save our fire station

South London: march to save community centres

Obituary: Bernard Roome 1947-2017

Ed Balls: 'Speaking Out' for capitalism

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Surrey: Save our fire station

Over 200 firefighters, local residents, anti-cuts campaigners and their families protested the council's plans to close Staines fire station (Click to enlarge)

Paul Couchman, Save Our Services in Surrey and Staines Socialist Party

Over 200 firefighters, local residents, anti-cuts campaigners and their families gathered outside Staines fire station on 21 January to shout a loud 'NO!' to Surrey county council's (SCC) plans to close it.

Firefighters pointed out that the Staines fire engine is the busiest engine in the county. And that the local borough of Spelthorne has the busiest airport in Europe; the highest concentration of tower blocks; the worst record of fire deaths in Surrey, and many more high risk factors.

SCC initially refused to hold a public meeting but public pressure has forced them into calling a meeting at the Staines council offices on 7 February.

SCC is determined to make cuts but Save Our Services in Surrey (SOSIS) does not accept slashing public services or massive rates increases.

As I pointed out: "This government, and its representatives on local councils, have made cut after cut in public services... The trade unions, alongside residents associations and community groups, need to draw a line in the sand and say: no more cuts."

The protest pledged to build the opposition to the proposed immediate closure of Staines station and to campaign vigorously for Spelthorne to continue to have two full-time appliances.