DAVID Hodge, Tory Leader of Surrey Council, has made a determined stand against the Tory government cuts to Adult Social Services, Children's Services, and Services for Disabled People.
He has lobbied parliament and now proposes a 15% increase in council tax. If the Tory leader of the richest council in the country is making a stand, what should Labour Councils be doing?
Incredibly Bolton Labour Council's response to the crisis has been to propose outsourcing Adult Care and "reconfiguring " (cutting) Children's Services and Services for the Disabled.
Bolton TUC now asks whether the actions of Surrey Council have emboldened the Labour Council to show some resistance to the life-threatening cuts the Tories are continuing to impose, or whether they intend to continue acting as the humble servant of government, obediently obeying orders whatever the cost to the people they were elected to represent.
The Labour Party nationally has recruited more members in the last two years than the previous 20. The new members have poured in to fight the present way of doing things.
It seems to many that the current Bolton Labour Council is trapped in a past that has no future. Without change they will be swept aside; the question is — by whom?
These are very dangerous times, and Bolton TUC is working for a Labour government under Jeremy Corbyn. Are Bolton Labour councillors helping when they vote for relentless cuts to the social fabric of our town, whilst supporting the likes of Asons? The proposed cuts in the next budget should be studied carefully by all who care for the town's future. They must be fought.
Tom Hanley
Bolton TUC
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