Austerity measures on the way‏

Observer cartoonist Chris Riddell hits the nail on the head: 'never in the field of Government budgets will so few feel the effects of the spending cuts they're going to impose on so many'.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/theobserver/cartoon/2010/jun/20/spending-cuts-emergency-budget

We are already being 'softened up' by a Right Wing media intent on selling us the message that there is no alternative to swingeing cuts in the Public Sector.

We are seeing daily attacks on public sector workers by creating the image of overpaid, under worked and pension gold plated bureaucrats.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1287497/Public-sector-staff-spend-9-fewer-years-work-earn-30-private-employees.html

The voices of challenge to this mantra are being drowned out, and it is crucial those on the Left loudly put our alternative vision.

Will Hutton, in the Observer today makes a strong political and economic critique of this Coalition Government's ideological commitment to small state, free market politics.
http://m.guardian.co.uk/?id=102202&story=http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/jun/20/budget-cuts-george-osborne

His analysis drives a hole directly through their phoney arguments for embarking on the harshest assault on the Welfare State, public services and the most vulnerable. The comparisons being used with Canada and Sweden are clearly shown not to hold up to scrutiny.

The point that this Coalition government has no mandate to impose the level of austerity measures is well made, and must continue to be made by everyone in opposition to them. The economic and political crisis is being used by those ideologically opposed to State provision and firmly pro-market. The austerity measures to be announced on Tuesday will seriously endanger an economic recovery, and send the Country into a double-dip recession. Those who caused the crisis, namely the Banks as part of an unregulated financial sector are getting back to business as usual, whilst those not responsible are being asked to pay the price for their greed and failure.

This Coalition talks of a new politics - this is not new politics but a return to the past. Those who live in the North are already being hit hard - the cancelling of a new hospital in North Tees and Hartlepool which has now put the hospital's future at risk, and also the creation of private sectors jobs. This is before the impact of thousands and thousands of public sector workers losing their jobs, with the inevitable impact on the regional economy.

The myth about public sector workers being a drain on the economy must be dispelled. Public sector workers pay taxes, and for every £1 earned spend 70p in their local economy, and of course provide vital services to some of the most vulnerable in society. The public sector is also responsible for the creation of a significant percentage of private sector jobs through procurement and building programmes.

Therefore, the attempt to divide public and private workers is just another ideological attack and is to try to divide workers against the imposition of austerity measures which will hurt everyone but the very richest.

All those who voted Liberal in the election with the hope of keeping the Tories out, and promoting centre Left policies must be feeling a sense of betrayal unknown. Their party is in Coalition with little gain for any of their policies, but to shore up some of the most stringent, anti poor cuts in our history. Lib Dems must start holding Clegg, Cable and Alexander to account for what must be one of the fastest U-turns in policy in political history.

As Will Hutton says, .... ' Politicans will pay the price with lost office. Millions of British will pay a higher price - the needless squandering of their lives'. UNISON has a clear alternative strategy, one which will support economic recovery, promote public services, and defend the most vulnerable in our society, rather than scapegoating them for the failure of the few. Trade unions have an essential role to play in challenging the prevailing mantra of this Right Wing Coalition government. We have the arguments to expose their phoney words - we must stand up loud and clear and turn back the tidal wave of cuts that are coming. We must unite with all other trade unions to stand up for working people, and we must fight to defend public services. UNISON nationally has made it clear it will fight these austerity measures. Already protests are being organised, with other unions, against Osbornes cuts on 22 June, and we will be building for a joint day of action across Europe on 29 September.

As part of this programme of activity UNISON Northern and TUC have organised a rally on 22 in Newcastle, and there is the launch of a Public Services Alliance jointly with PCS , UNITE and TUC on 24 June. We can and must lead the opposition to the onslaught. Our future depends on it. ‬

Clare Williams