Leicester Holds Historic People’s Budget Talks

“Leaving the Labour Party was a big thing. All my family have always voted Labour. They’re no longer the party who stick up for ordinary people. We all need to stick together – the People’s Budget marks an opportunity to create something new.”

On 25 October around 60 people gathered to participate in Leicester’s first ever People’s Budget conference. The event was organised by Leicester Independent Councillors Against Cuts – Barbara Potter (quoted above) and Wayne Naylor, alongside TUSC. The two councillors left Labour this year to join TUSC’s alliance of trade union and anti-cuts groups.

A series of public workshops formed the basis of an alternative budget based on residents’ needs. In contrast, Leicester’s cynical Labour council is ‘consulting’ on escalating austerity.

Wayne voiced frustration over Labour’s pressure to accept vicious cuts. In his ward 800 rely on food banks. He is now adamant that “the city needs councillors who will fight and make a difference. People’s needs must go before anything else.”

We encourage everyone who contributed with such enthusiasm to the People’s Budget to stand for election with TUSC next year.

Southampton’s re-elected TUSC councillor Keith Morrell said “it’s difficult to stand against the establishment, and can be isolating.” Along with his local community, it was TUSC’s support that gave Keith much needed confidence.

Support

Also attending was Dave Nellist, former Labour MP and supporter of Militant, forerunner of the Socialist. He subsequently served 14 years as a Socialist Party councillor in Coventry. Dave said “it doesn’t matter if the cuts are carried out enthusiastically by the Tories, or with a heavy heart by Labour. When services go, people suffer. TUSC refuses to accept that there is no choice.”