by Sam Smithson, Waltham Forest Socialist Party
One way we get our ideas across in Waltham Forest, like Socialist Party branches up and down country, is by selling our newspaper — the Socialist — throughout the borough. 119 people bought our Socialist paper in the final week of April.
The popularity of our paper comes as no surprise to us. The response we get from local people is anger and frustration at the Labour government’s cruel austerity.
The local Labour-run council plans to make £18 million cuts this year, with a further £23 million cuts over the next three years, despite a 5% council tax increase on local residents, after years and years of cuts.
These cuts will worsen already-struggling local services. Council workers will face job losses, free parking in busy shopping areas will end, and hiring freezes will reduce job opportunities and put more strain on the remaining workforce.
Services for disabled people are also being cut. The disgraceful decision to close the Markhouse Centre was recently upheld by the Labour council.
This is a crucial facility for disabled people and their caregivers. We fought to save it with the people that use it.
As a result of this dire situation, people are eager to hear the socialist programme put forward in our paper — halting all council cuts and demanding budgets that actually reflect our needs.
We have been selling the Socialist at local tube and train stations, as well as on our campaign stalls. I urge you to try this too.