2010/12/26
2010/12/13
2010/12/12
Andrew Stunell ~ Doupleplus FAIL
Imagine 1984 where they forget to rewrite fullwise a speech made before one of the many 180 degree turns in policy. Big Brother wouldn't have found it so easy to cling to power.
2010 has been something like that as regards pre-election LibDem promises. We just came across another example of a LibDem MP hanging himself (metaphorically), by leaving embarassing traces of his erstwhile commitment to vote against tuition fees: the parliamentary under secretary of state to the department for communities and local government - no less! - Andrew Stunell OBE, MP for Hazel Grove.
Here's what Stunell said about half a year before becoming a minister (2009/10/20):
"University education should be free and everyone who has the ability should be able to go - and not put off by the cost.
"The Tories' plan [to increase tuition fees to £7,000] is deeply irresponsible in this current recession, when money is tight and jobs are scarce. We need to be getting more young people into university, apprenticeships and training, not fewer - which is exactly what will happen with the Conservatives' outrageous plan."
Note the "outrageous" figure is £2000 less than the amount Stunell voted for on December 9. He claimed to believe in free education - that means zero tuition fees - and that a recession should be a reason to increase investment in education and training, not an excuse to cut it.
Not only is Stunell's new position in favor of £9K tuition fees doubleplus ungood, those he lied to and betrayed will award him a doubleplus FAIL.
You can read Stunell's pre-election comments here: Stunell warns of fee hike
And just in case he does rewrite his story, here is the full text:
STUNELL WARNS OF NEW TUITION FEE HIKE FOR STOCKPORT STUDENTS
10.45.00am GMT Tue 20th Oct 2009
 |
Over 6,000 Stockport students risk huge increases in university tuition fees in eight months time if the Conservatives regain power, according to Hazel Grove MP Andrew Stunell.
Mr Stunell was speaking after the Conservatives said they may increase tuition fees to £7,000 if they take power at the next general election, which has to be held by June 2010.
That would see tuition fees for undergraduates more than double. Currently there is a cap of £3,300 in England and Wales. Mr Stunell says such a rise would leave Stockport youngsters graduating with more than £30,000 worth of debt, over a third higher than current levels.
Labour also plans to allow universities to charge more than at present if re-elected, according to Peter Mandelson, leaving students and their families with the Liberal Democrats as the only party who have made a commitment to scrapping tuition fees.
Commenting, Andrew Stunell said:
"I look around Stockport, and more and more I see young people returning from university with no job and a bank balance tens of thousands of pounds in the red. What sort of future is that?
"Labour and the Tories are showing their true colours. They don't care about young people - they just want to saddle them with staggering amounts of debt.
"University education should be free and everyone who has the ability should be able to go - and not put off by the cost.
"The Tories plan is deeply irresponsible in this current recession, when money is tight and jobs are scarce. We need to be getting more young people in to university, apprenticeships and training not fewer, which is exactly what will happen with the Conservatives' outrageous plan."
Stunell is one of the unclean eighteen - the hardcore of LibDem MPs who hold senior positions in the ConDem coalition. Here are his contact details:
enquiries@andrewstunell.org.ukhttp://www.andrewstunell.org.uk/
Phone: 0161 406 7070
Fax: 0161 494 2425
Liberal Democrats
34 Stockport Road
Romiley
STOCKPORT
SK6 3AA
Phone: 0161 406 7070
Fax: 0161 494 2425
Liberal Democrats
34 Stockport Road
Romiley
STOCKPORT
SK6 3AA
You can find details of the others under the video here SCUM. (These are taken from the LibDem website list of government ministers.)
2010/12/05
2010/12/04
Save arts in education!
Leicestershire Arts in Education protest spending cuts in the arts...
"Leicestershire Arts in Education (LAE) provides music, dance and drama ensembles and lessons, available to students of all schools in Leicestershire.
Under the cuts, arts in Leicestershire is likely to suffer. Within the next few days, decisions will be made about what is going to happen to youth arts education.
The orchestras, bands and all the other ensembles provide a platform for high quality performing arts experiences and performances, as well as life long friendships.
We ask only for your support in our claim that Leicestershire Arts in Education should be considered an important part of the culture and future of Leicestershire that it would be a tragedy to lose."
LAE petition: http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/keep-funding-for-leicestershire-arts-in-education.html
LAE on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_131067646950166
LAC website: http://leicestershireagainstthecuts.org.uk
2010/11/30
OCCUPIED! ~ Brum city council
Rumaanah Ellahi, a 17-year-old school student at Cadbury sixth form college in Birmingham explains why she's part of a group of around 50 students, most of them at university, who have occupied a room at Birmingham city council.
Rumaanah says 30 more students are in the reception downstairs, while police have prevented any more from walking in.
She says she wanted to "send a message to Nick Clegg" regarding the increase in tuition fees - increases which she says will prevent her from going to university.
Rumaanah says the group have food and are prepared to stay in the council building for some time. "We aren't moving anytime soon!," she tweeted earlier.
Rumaanah says 30 more students are in the reception downstairs, while police have prevented any more from walking in.
She says she wanted to "send a message to Nick Clegg" regarding the increase in tuition fees - increases which she says will prevent her from going to university.
Rumaanah says the group have food and are prepared to stay in the council building for some time. "We aren't moving anytime soon!," she tweeted earlier.
2010/11/24
Leicester 24/11 ~ student protest
200 students, school students, teachers and public sector workers, trade unionists and socialists rallied at Leicester's Clock Tower to protest ConDem tuition fee rises and education cuts...
Leicester students protest fees & cuts
200 students, school students, teachers and public sector workers, trade unionists and socialists rallied at Leicester's Clock Tower to protest ConDem tuition fee rises and education cuts...
2010/10/31
Leicestershire Against the Cuts (30 Oct)
Marching along New Walk ~ All the photos in this folder were taken by us & can be reproduced freely by socialist & labour movement groups/individuals. Credit "Red Boar", please. Others, ask permission before using.
Leicestershire Against the Cuts (30 Oct)
Three raw videos on YouTube ~ You can get the embed code for these videos from YouTube.
2010/10/28
Labour council threatens 10,000 workers with lockout
Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT) council – with 45/70 seats Labour-held - has told its workers to sign new contracts or face redundancy. The GMB union has warned members not to sign new contracts, but to "stand firm in the face of this threat".
The RTC's diktat took the form of a "collective redundncy notice" - summarily issued by the council's HR director, Tony Wilkins - meaning all 10,000 workers are sacked and offered 'new' jobs with worse pay and conditions. The union walked out of the talks, insisting that it would only return if the threat of a lockout was lifted.
Gareth Morgan, South Wales GMB officer, said the union accepted the financial challenge facing the council and was willing to "consult meaningfully" on reducing its budget deficit of £20m each year for the next three years.
He continued: "GMB is aware that some Tory and Lib Dem councils are treating their staff like dirt... using a legal device of pretending to make all their workforce redundant and offering some of them re-employment on worse pay and conditions. Now Rhondda Cynon Taff in the Labour heartlands are resorting to this lock out tactic. It is totally unacceptable."
But Labour council leader Russell Roberts washed his hands of the problem, saying it was a matter for council officers and the unions. Having voted through the cuts, the Labour council then ceded negotiating power over terms and conditions to the chief executive!
Faced with the treachery and hypocrisy of Labour councillors who criticize the ConDem cuts, but enforce them locally, we must demand Labour-controlled councils refuse to implement the cuts.
With or without the support of Labour leaders, the cuts will only be halted by a massive anticuts movement, ready to take action of the same type and on the same scale as the French workers and youth.
2010/10/15
Leicester shows how to defeat the EDL
Saturday October 9 saw an attempt by the English Defence League to attack Leicester and divide its people. The attempt was thwarted. And that happened primarily through the independent mobilization of people, especially based in their neighbourhoods, rather than via existing antifascist groups.
But the failure of these groups to present a united front allowed rogue bands of EDL thugs in the city centre to terrorize and attack. These were isolated cases, but they show graphically the dangers of ignoring the need for effective antifascist defence. An honest assessment of events can help us draw lessons for the ongoing fight against the EDL and for working class unity.
In the lead up to the 9th, various tactics and events were discussed and plans made. These involved discussions within communities and campaign groups, planning and public meetings by Unite Against Fascism, as well as the city council and police, and outside intervention by Hope Not Hate. There was also a coming together of antifascists coordinated by Leicester trades council.
Out of this came conflicting plans, ranging from “Stay away from town on Saturday” - events for Friday and Sunday, rather than being seen as ways to mobilize, were promoted as alternatives to action on the day, the UAF tactic of holding a static protest adjacent to but divided from the EDL location, plans for neighbourhood defence, and the decision by some antifascists to support the UAF mobilization, but to stay free of any attempt to kettle us.
The assembly point at Leicester's Clock Tower, bang in the centre, would have been an ideal location to hold. With several streets leading off, all popular for shops and cafés, it was the best place to demonstrate our strength and unity, as well as offering protection in numbers for both protesters and public. And the multiple exits make kettling there very hard.
The UAF plan, however, was to have stewards direct people from the centre down Humberstone Gate to the static protest. Police, meanwhile, had the power to move you on or even arrest you if you refused to move. We therefore decided to meet at a nearby place an hour earlier than the official start, so that we could assess the situation as people arrived.
As it happened, protesters were able to occupy the Clock Tower area for about an hour. During this time, the trades council message of “Jobs and services, not racism!” and of building a broad trade union and community campaign was put across via leaflets, banners and discussions. But first UAF stewards, then police, cajoled people, and succeeded in moving most on - though not without resistance.
It has to be said that the numbers were not great anyway. During the protest as a whole, perhaps a thousand attended the static protest, numbering 500-600 at any time. Clearly, the corrosive “stay at home” message had taken its toll. Those who pushed that line within progressive circles should be held accountable for that.
But another factor was the consciousness within Leicester's communities that neighbourhood defence would be a crucial tactic – an instinct that proved to be correct. However, here too a demobilizing factor was at play. Community 'leaders' apparently cooperated with police in pushing for this defence to be static. As we will see, this would not have been sufficient to block EDLers who attempted to penetrate into Highfields.
At people moved off to Humberstone Gate East, rather than risk being kettled, some antifascists withdrew to review options. After some discussion, we agreed to work in small groups, staying in touch by mobile, thus minimizing the chance of police attention for 'demonstrating' outside the appointed zone. In fact, this turned out not to be a problem. We were certainly under observation, but no harassment occurred.
During the afternoon, some of us acted as spotters, clocking the groups of EDLers who were obviously roaming the centre, looking for chances to stage flash 'protests' (ie harass, intimidate and attack). In the event of that, the aim was to alert others, regroup, and mount whatever self-defence proved feasible.
Some attended the UAF static protest, which was not kettled (except briefly following the incident described below). Others moved from the town centre to the main mosque, which is on the edge of Highfields, to offer solidarity with those already there to guard the building and observe this entry point to one of Leicester's multicultural neighbourhoods.
UAF's protest included speeches, bands, and plenty of chanting. There was a great atmosphere, and the diversity of people mirrored Leicester itself. The message to the EDL was clear: they were the aliens on our streets, and we were united against them. The question of tactics was never absent though. Even over the music some discussed the pros and cons of self-defence. And this question was almost posed in practical terms.
The EDL were adjacent to UAF, behind a 'Berlin wall' - literally two fences with police dogs in between. The fascists, desperate to break loose, smashed windows, forcing Radio Leicester reporters to vacate their makeshift observation room. At least one smoke bomb was detonated. Some succeeded in escaping via a side street, attempting to circle round and attack the UAF side.
Police blocked this, but antifascist protesters - ignoring appeals from the stage - moved almost as one towards the police line, clearly not intimidated by EDL thugs. The UAF protest was now effectively kettled in for a while.
In the event, the fascists were contained and pushed back by police, but continued with breakout attempts throughout their near-riot of a 'protest'. Finally, some did break out, overcoming the police barrier, and making via Kent Street for Highfields (see below).
It was now clear that the most dangerous time would be during the operation to bus the EDL out. As soon as the kettling eased off, therefore, those of us at the UAF protest decided to leave, so that we could follow developments, and decide our moves accordingly.
Meanwhile, up by the main mosque, the numbers on guard had grown to 100-200, and the word was that many more were on standby. We therefore decided to join our comrades there, staying alert on the way for EDL stragglers.
Up by the train station, some EDL coaches were already moving past towards the exit road. They had police protection for this, but Asian and other youth were still able to give the fascists a good send off. At least one coach was met with a surge of people and pelted with debris as it accelerated past!
The youth were not intimidated by the riot police who poured out of the station. It was clear that the determination to rid their city of EDL overcame any fear. The situation was very tense but, and the police chased but, as far as we saw, did not attack these protesters.
Having moved via side streets to reach the mosque area, you were presented with the most uplifting scene of the day: 1000-2000 had massed to defend both the mosque and the entry points to Highfields. These mostly, but not exclusively, Muslim youth and young men had been mobilized within minutes to stop EDL attempts to infiltrate, attack the mosque and threaten the neighbourhood itself.
This had come from at least two directions: via Kent Street to the north, where some EDLers had broken through from their static 'protest' (see above); and west via Conduit Street from the nearby station, where the fascists were supposed to be getting their trains. A third route, over Swain Street bridge, was blocked by police.
The Kent Street attack was met with immediate resistance, confronting and driving back the fascists. Police had failed to contain the breakaway EDL mob, and without the mobile and militant action of Highfields youth, these thugs would have burst through, threatening the very neighbourhood.
The attempt from the station via Conduit Street was barred by police.
All around the corner of Maidstone Road and Sparkenhoe Street and some way beyond, on the perimeter of Highfields, a crowd of defenders massed for an hour or more in case of further attacks.
When the all clear was given, a steward thanked everyone, Muslim and non-Muslim alike, for the great show of strength and solidarity, and called on people to disperse. Many at this point moved off to reassemble at local mosques to guard against smaller bands of fascists, and stay prepared to remobilize, should the need arise.
A group of us antifascists moved further into Highfields, and packed one comrade's small house for some badly needed tea, to come down from the high of this brilliant display of self-organized antifascist defence, swap stories, and receive reports from the still very tense situation in the city centre.
These confirmed predictions that rogue EDL groups would take every opportunity to wreak havoc. On Granby Street, for example, fascists had attacked a kebab shop, beating up the workers there, before police could arrive on the scene. Right in the centre, others had swarmed into the Lamplighter pub, emerging sporadically to attack black youth, until the police arrived. Well into the evening, police vehicles remained parked outside.
In a related incident, a multi-ethnic group of around a hundred school students, hearing what was up, had gone into town to confront the fascists! In a 'daring' operation, police surrounded these youth, whacking one lad around the head - only releasing them in small groups, and deliberately refusing to release the injured youth, until an onlooker insisted on this. It's probable that only the chance presence of this observer – who happened also to teach one of the students – prevented worse police behaviour.
These events show a number of things. Absent any organized self-defence, there will always be cases where the police cannot prevent the EDL's targets becoming their victims. What's more, if we do not organize antifascist defence, people – including young people with great courage, but little experience – will act spontaneously, placing themselves in danger from both fascists and police.
What goes for small scale incidents, applies to neighbourhoods, and to the city as a whole: if we fail to take seriously the matter of antifascist defence, then we will be responsible if our city and its people suffer worse attacks in the future.
The events of October 9 demonstrate that antifascist self-defence cannot be posed as an abstract slogan. It must be based on two different, but complementary factors: the spontaneous anger and courage, combined with the will to resist, that is sparked by the EDL's hateful provocation and threats; and conscious organization, well-thought out but flexible tactics, also drawing on the resources of existing bodies rooted in our communities, workplaces and colleges – our trade unions, community groups, and student unions.
Combined with a campaign that challenges the lies and prejudices of racists and fascists, and mobilizes on the streets to block and beat back their riot-like 'protests', this will provide a powerful rebuttal to the EDL. But resistance alone will not do.
Above all, we must address the problems which create the breeding ground for racism and fascism. The crisis in the bosses' capitalist system and the ConDem coalition's 'solution' of cuts and austerity is making millions desperate for an alternative. The EDL and BNP stand ready with the scapegoats of Islam and immigration.
In the face of the cuts, we need a to build a massive fight back of workers and youth on all fronts - jobs, pay, services, housing, health, education. A campaign centred on the broad anti-cuts movement, but linking up with other struggles, can present a real alternative, cutting the ground from under the fascists and racists.
In place of division, we can build the unity we need to take on and bring down the ConDem government, and open up the road to a workers' alternative.
In Leicester, the next big date on the anti-cuts calendar is Saturday 30 October. On that day, a Leicestershire Against Cuts demonstration will march from Victoria Park (assemble at 12:00) to the Clock Tower under the slogans: Say No to cuts! Defend jobs and services. A massive turn out will strike a blow against austerity, for workers' unity, and against those who want to divide us!
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