Welcome To Coventry Socialist Party

The newly formed Coventry against the Cuts campaign hit the streets for the first time on Saturday, building opposition to the savage cuts agenda being put forward by the ConDem coalition government.

Coventry against the Cuts, which was initiated by Coventry TUC, has already organised a 100 strong protest on the day of the Emergency Budget, and 3 meetings. The most recent, saw around 40 people hear Janice Godrich, President of the PCS, give an update on the situation facing working class people, and importantly outline a strategy that can beat the Tory / Liberal onslaught.

But cuts are not just coming from the national government. Local councils, often Labour led, are likely to implement attacks on the public sector. For example, in Coventry, it appears that there will be a budget in the next few weeks where there will be a vote over cuts reaching a staggering £140 million.

Over a dozen campaigners from several different unions and organisatons, received a very warm response, with many shoppers signing the petition and all leaflets being taken by passers by. The leaflet makes clear that working class people did not cause this crisis and we refuse to pay for it.

No one is under any illusions about the scale of the challenges ahead, but as we made clear, we beat Thatcher and her poll tax, and we can beat these cuts.

The initiative taken by Coventry TUC in forming Coventry against the Cuts is an excellent one, and the Socialist Party will do all it can to build the campaign, winning union support and linking this up with the local communities who will also be hit by the cuts. Already, Charterhouse Residents Association, a very active group, have affiliated to the campaign.

• A major rally is being planned for September, details to follow.
•  If you would like copies of the petition or leaflet to distribute, please get in touch.
•  There is a Facebook group, join it! ‘Coventry against the Cuts’

Over 200 firefighters and people from towns in Warwickshire gathered outside Warwickshire County Council’s meeting to protest at their plans to close 4 local fire stations.

“They’re going to put peoples’ lives in danger, both the public and firefighters” said Steve Roberts a local Fire Brigades Union (FBU) member.

The Tory run council had previously wanted to close 7 stations and on the day they reduced their closure programme to 3 which shows that vigorous campaigning, as seen across this county, can have an effect.

But firefighters are still angry. In common with people in Warwickshire they see the council as endangering people. Mark Rattray, Brigade secretary of the FBU said that David “Cameron promised he wouldn’t cut frontline services, but what’s more frontline than firefighters and fire engines?”

“They may hope that after cuts, neighbouring Hereford & Worcestershire Fire service will cover the gaps but they face cuts there soon as well.”

The decision was preceded by a political farce. 3 local Tory MP’s said they were against cuts, yet their Tory council voted for them. But not all Tory councillors did, which shows that when the ConDem coalition plans for a slaughter of public services across the country meets the determined opposition of working people, then their weaknesses can be exposed.

Steve said many were shocked at the lies of the Council and that several councillors who had indicated opposition to cuts, then voted for them at the meeting. So fire stations in Warwick, Studley and Brinklow are set for closure. 

The FBU will now move to ballot for industrial action to continue their opposition to closures and a council risking the lives of both the public and firefighters. The campaign across Warwickshire must continue.