Where the blame lies

Syed Nahid Uddin a Unite delegate works for a council so knows first-hand what austerity has meant for local government.  For Syed this isn’t a rhetorical argument this is real life day in and day out.  Austerity was not an economic choice it was a political one.

Syed knows where the blame lies.  It lies with a Tory government and their Liberal Democrat collaborators but don’t expect any contribution just look at their record.  No contrition only arrogance and an attempt to rewrite history.

He says, “At the launch of his new book – For the Record David Cameron said, austerity didn’t go far enough.He said he wished he had “ripped the plaster off… with even more cuts early on”.”

As Syed argues they have no shame.  “Alexei Sayle hit the nail on the head when he said: “Austerity is the bizarre idea that the global financial crash of 2008 was caused by there being too many libraries in Wolverhampton!””

Cameron may want to rewrite history but for Syed the important thing is to make sure we don’t let them get away with it.

“The record is clear – last decade has been nothing short of devastating for our Local Authorities. ÂŁ0.60 out of every ÂŁ1 from Government has been slashed from our services. Essential services have been slashed and hundreds of thousands of jobs have been lost.  Services such as parks and libraries that feed the soul as well as the body. And those workers left behind have faced increased workloads, pressure and stress.”

Syed has first-hand experience and so have the brave Unite members from Bromley on indefinite strike action to fight job cuts in their libraries!

He says, “It is no coincidence that the poorest areas have been hardest hit by these unnecessary cuts cynically choosing Labour areas that would never vote Tory.  Cynically choosing our people, our communities, and our families to pay the price.”

There is a solution to all of this, Syed argues and that is kick out the Tories in a general election.  Rebuild our Local Authorities.  And put Jeremy Corbyn in number 10.