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From The Socialist newspaper, 3 February 2016
Councillor suspended after cuts query: activists seek joint work
London Socialist Party
A north London Labour group has suspended one of its councillors for questioning cuts to adult care. Anti-austerity campaigners in Haringey are appealing to Councillor Gideon Bull to join them in drawing up a no-cuts 'people's budget'.
Socialist Party member John Dolan works in the service Cllr Bull spoke out to protect. John said: "Many people who work in this vital service, and who rely on it, were delighted when Cllr Bull spoke out.
"We thought - 'at last, a councillor who is speaking up for services rather than just passing on Tory cuts!' It is outrageous that he has been suspended for doing what, in our view, a Labour councillor should do."
Momentum
Cllr Bull addressed a Haringey Momentum meeting on 28 January, where he vowed to continue speaking up for those who rely on these vital services. He also explained how difficult this period in his life had been. He said the stress of the Labour group's treatment of him brought on a life-threatening heart complaint.
"In December 2014," said John, "Haringey council agreed £70 million of cuts over three years. But the council also has £96 million in reserves. Many Labour Party members, as well as council workers, service users, and campaigners, think these reserves should be used to avoid cuts.
"Jeremy Corbyn won a landslide leadership election victory because people want an alternative. Many new Labour Party members, inspired by his anti-austerity message, will be horrified at this action. I would appeal to Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnell to intervene and reinstate this councillor."
The Momentum meeting condemned Cllr Bull's suspension. But unfortunately, local Momentum leaders - including a sitting councillor - ruled out calls for Labour leaders to intervene, and postponed a discussion on a no-cuts budget. A sizeable minority, however, backed these proposals.
John said: "I also appeal to Cllr Bull to join with anti-cuts campaigners in the borough to draw up an alternative, people's budget for Haringey. This would avoid these devastating cuts, and start to build up the massive campaign necessary to win the funding back from central government."
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In The Socialist 3 February 2016:
Socialist Party news and analysis
Solidarity with health workers
Bedroom Tax ruling: The fight to scrap it must continue
Air pollution destroys more lives and homes
Conservatives have no interest in collecting corporation taxes
Readers' comments and reviews
Private renting: Unfit homes and couch surfing
Witty take on credit crunch misses problems at heart of capitalism
Arrested 'Heathrow 13' climate activist speaks
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
Fight to save Huddersfield A&E
Angry south Londoners march against the housing bill
Newham Labour disunited against austerity
Councillor suspended after cuts query: activists seek joint work
Wakefield tells big business to frack-off!
Celebrating the revolutionary life of Robert Burns
Fighting to save the last two play centres
Socialist Party features
World economy heading into a storm
Zika virus: Another healthcare system failure
Workplace news
Fight to save 1,550 finance jobs in Surrey
Tories axe 310 jobs in Northern powerhouse
London Transport workers braced for huge cuts in spending
Tories are taking London taxi drivers for a ride
Crane drivers' strike for pay rise
Tesco slashes pay for thousands of workers
International socialist news and analysis
Japan: The failure of 'Abenomics'
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