On the march with the TUC

Published: 31 March, 2011

• THANKS to all members of the Labour Party, trade unions and community groups who united at Lincoln’s Inn Fields to protest at the destruction of the welfare state by the current government.

There was a massive Camden presence on the TUC march.

Although the atmosphere was light, no one forgot the reason for our march – the largest cut in public services since the 1930s, the privatisation of the NHS and massive loss of funding for local councils. This is not just about the loss of funding for one or two groups but an ideological attempt by the government to redefine the type of society that we live in. Do we want to live in a society where competition is king with democratic accountability reduced to a fig leaf and causes are taken up by well-meaning charities? Or do we want to live in a place where the state plays a vibrant and positive part with communities, voluntary groups and citizens?

This government is committed to spending £2billion on the reorganisation of the NHS – so next time they talk about fiscal responsibility, ask them why that money is being spent?

And thanks to NUT and Unison for organising the Camden march from Lincoln’s Inn Fields, and to Katy and Clive Gimson who did us proud in holding the Labour banner for so long.

RAJ CHADA
Chair, Holborn & St Pancras Labour Party