Join us today!
Printable version
Link to this page: https://secure.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/939/24851
From The Socialist newspaper, 8 March 2017
Bradford: Anti-cuts lobby against poor-bashing budget
Bradford bus workers on strike in 2015 (Click to enlarge)
Peter Robson, Bradford Socialist Party
Bradford Socialist Party members were in attendance along with other activists at the lobby of the council on 23 February outside Bradford city hall. Some Labour councillors came and talked to us as we attempted to persuade them to set a no-cuts budget.
This was a marked difference from 2016 when they were openly hostile towards us. But our attempts to offer an anti-austerity budget did not stop the Labour-run council making a further £40 million of cuts which, with the already millions that have decimated this city, is a legacy they should be ashamed of.
Not only will these cuts yet again attack the poorest, with the Edmund Street centre already closed as a refuge for the homeless. To add insult to injury, after the dirty work was done, they announced to the local press that they now want to rehouse 20% of people in care homes back into their own homes!
Clearly, some of these people are very ill and it would be unbelievable to send them home. And to what? With these cuts, there will be no carers left at this rate. We will continue to challenge these councillors.
Donate to the Socialist Party
Coronavirus crisis - Finance appeal
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.
- Our 'fighting coronavirus workers' charter', outlines a programme to combat the virus and protect workers' living conditions.
- 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 special coronavirus appeal.
In The Socialist 8 March 2017:
Save our NHS!
Demo shows battle to save the NHS can be won
Socialist Party news and analysis
Fight the cuts: Demand no-cuts council budgets
One million workers on zero-hour contracts
Tories to dodge rulings against disability benefit cut
Aristocrats to hold byelection for one of their 92 reps
TUSC supports Irish MPs' call on Corbyn
Comments and reviews
Struggling to care against a backcloth of cuts
International socialist news and analysis
Historic demonstration in Barcelona in support of refugees
Support the Jobstown defendants: Defend the right to public protest
Build a movement to defeat Trump!
Socialist Party workplace news
Second front in battle over driver-only operation opens on Northern Rail
Leaked document threatens jobs and conditions at Ford Bridgend
Bus drivers' strike: Huge anger at bosses' attacks
Deliveroo cedes ground in Brighton dispute
Striking for jobs and union recognition at Fujitsu
Join the Socialist Party!
Millions protest - now join the Socialist Party to fight to change the world
Why I joined: "I am a Labour Party member and I recently decided to join the Socialist Party"
Why I joined: "I began to feel really exploited and to think about why"
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
'Anti-union law' charges against trees protesters dropped
Sheffielders call for a no-cuts 'people's budget'
Greater Manchester: patients are people not guinea pigs!
Bradford: Anti-cuts lobby against poor-bashing budget
Mary Creagh should resign not remain
Home | The Socialist 8 March 2017 | Join the Socialist Party
Subscribe | Donate | Audio | PDF | ebook
2019