by Berkay Kartav, South London Socialist Party
Croydon Council has issued Section 114 notices three times since 2020, prohibiting anything other than essential expenditure. Like many other councils, it is in financial crisis.
The hustings organised by the local trade union council was an opportunity to question Croydon mayoral election candidates about their stance on cuts, and how they will oppose them.
Council tax hike
Labour’s Rowenna Davis was aware of her party’s unpopularity, and tried to distance herself from the national Labour Party, saying: “Starmer is not on the ballot paper”. She didn’t talk about the previous Croydon Labour council that made cuts, or explain why the Labour group abstained on Tory proposals to hike council tax by 15% in 2023.
Green councillor Peter Underwood is also standing for mayor. None of the candidates addressed the elephant in the room — how will they stop the cuts?
Socialist Party member Deji Olayinka was one of the first to ask a question. He said: “We’ve had a 33% tax hike since 2023. Every council service has faced cuts, job losses, and austerity. But Zack Polanski has said he’s against austerity.
“The mayor and councillors could fight back, setting needs-based, no-cuts budgets. That stand, alongside a protest movement — like the Militant-led Liverpool council ran in the 1980’s — could get the funding Croydon needs to cancel the debt and end austerity.
“Here’s my question. Last week, Ben Goldstone emailed Pete Underwood, and other Green candidates, asking you to sign a petition, publicly promising to vote against cuts to services and jobs, and to not increase our council taxes.
“You didn’t sign it. Will you now sign this petition?”
Unfortunately, Pete said he won’t sign the petition. He said he can’t pledge not making cuts or not increasing council tax, as he is legally tied. This is not true.
Pete said it was an unfair system, and the government has underfunded councils. But that is precisely the reason the audience was asking if Croydon Greens, alongside others, will take the fight to central government, by setting no-cuts, needs-based budgets, and demanding the money from the Labour government.
Underwood also said councils should work together. But the petition he refused to sign also called on Polanski to instructs all Green Party councillors to make the same commitment, including in the 40-plus local authorities where Greens are part of the council administration.
Both the Labour and Green candidates said they are members of a trade union. Ben Goldstone, a delegate to Croydon Trades Union Council from Unite, reminded both that campaigning for a no-cuts budget is the union policy of Unite, Unison, and GMB.
What is there for young people?
Khamisi Green, a young worker and Socialist Party member, spoke about devastating cuts to youth services, and lack of opportunities for young people in the borough.
With the existing candidates saying they will pass on austerity in Croydon, and refusing to fight the Labour government, then we are working alongside other trade unionists and socialists in the borough to put forward a fighting alternative to win the money and resources our communities need. So Socialist Party member Ben Goldstone is standing as the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) candidate for Croydon mayor.