• Home
  • About Me
  • My Pledges
  • Contact Me

Mayor Lutfur Rahman

Delivering for Tower Hamlets

Feeds:
Posts
Comments
« Statement on Hanbury Street mural
‘Let’s Also Hope That the Labour Party Can Begin to Find its Voice Again’ »

Councils need to stand together against the cuts

October 5, 2012 by Lutfur

I noticed this week that I was the only council leader to be included the Daily Telegraph’s top 100 influential figures on the left.

I am flattered that I merit a mention. But for me, my inclusion says more about the way we are running this council.

As the BBC’s Sunday Politics show highlighted, Tower Hamlets is pioneering progressive policies designed to protect our residents from the cold winds of government austerity.

Their coverage focused on our reintroduction of the government axed Educational Maintenance Allowance, our commitment to the London Living Wage and our introduction of a new energy co-op.

These are not our only important policy initiatives.

I am proud too that we are building more affordable housing than anywhere else in Britain, that we are keeping free homecare for the elderly, and that our exam results across all ages are improving.

However with the government having axed our budgets by 27%, forcing us to make cuts of £100 million, and with more cuts to come, there are strict limits on my scope to introduce more of the kinds of policies this borough needs to ensure greater equality for all.

That’s why I support Owen Jones’s call for councillors up and down the country to develop a national strategy of resistance to the cuts. We have strength in unity.

Passivity is not an option here. Nor is sitting back for two years and hoping for the election of a Labour government to come to the rescue. Last year’s riots have given us a glimpse of how growing inequality can contribute to increased social tensions. Who knows the depth of the damage this government will have caused by the time of the general election?

If we want to prevent a whole generation being thrown on the scrapheap, we need to reshape our national politics in the interests of the many, not just the few. That’s why I will be joining many councillors from across the political spectrum on the TUC’s demo for ‘A Future that Works’ on October 20th.  My hope is that that event will mark a new chapter in developing the resistance to austerity.

Advertisement

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook

Like this:

Like Loading...

Related

Posted in Lutfur's Blog |

  • October 2012
    M T W T F S S
    1234567
    891011121314
    15161718192021
    22232425262728
    293031  
    « Sep   Nov »
  • Lutfur’s Tweets

    • I think Takki writes this nonsense. There again for @£100k a year he might as well do something. twitter.com/TH1_Official/s… 7 years ago
    • .@IFE1970 Everyone round to mine over the w/e? There's some great footie on TV. 7 years ago
    • Not sure I can make the #LutfurRahman rally on Thursday in #TowerHamlets , there is a good romcom on #Netflix 7 years ago
    • Seems fair - no? twitter.com/_BekkyC_/statu… 7 years ago
    • Go for it @rushanaraali , you have my vote! If i can vote. Can I? #dunno twitter.com/rushanaraali/s… 7 years ago
    Follow @mayorlutfur
  • Blogs I Read

    • Dave Hill’s London Blog
    • Left Futures
    • Labour List

Blog at WordPress.com.

WPThemes.


Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
  • Follow Following
    • Mayor Lutfur Rahman
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • Mayor Lutfur Rahman
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Copy shortlink
    • Report this content
    • View post in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
%d bloggers like this: