Croydon Labour: | Statement of solidarity

Statement of solidarity

After 18 months of Tory cuts in Croydon: Clock tower staff sacked, libraries and Sure Start centres threatened with closure, school and maintenance programmes abandoned; in an act of solidarity with local trade unions, Labour Councillors will be boycotting the Town Hall on Wednesday 30 November 2011. This includes moving our Labour Group meeting to a venue outside of the Town Hall.

Labour Leader Councillor Tony Newman said:

“All 33 Labour Councillors recognise the pressure that dedicated and committed council workers are under. We applaud their efforts to keep Croydon Council going in the face of unprecedented draconian Tory cuts. The final straw has been the Tory government looking to impose a 3% tax increase on some of the lowest paid and part time workers.

Once again a Tory Government and Council is placing a terrible financial burden on women, young people and some of the most vulnerable in our community when they need help the most.”

Labour candidate for the Croydon & Sutton seat in the GLA, Councillor Louisa Woodley said:

“Croydon residents have been paying the price for the financial errors of this Tory Government and Council. Youth unemployment is at its highest level in a generation; homelessness has reached record breaking highs in Croydon, with residents being urged to move to Hull, away from family, friends and loved ones.”

“Croydon was one of the hardest hit areas in the country, yet as Mayor Johnson wipes the crumbs from the table, he gives Croydon £23 million to compensate for the £100 million plus lost through LEGI, the Enterprise Zone and the BSF Fund. What does our GLA Member, Steve O’Connell do? Grandstand in the local press and votes for cuts whenever he can.” Said Cllr Woodley