For the last few week Respect members in Cambridge have been leafleting for a demonstration against privatisation and cuts in public services. The demo happened this Saturday and was called by the local trades council. Many Respect members have been involved in the organisation. There was a good turn out and we built further links between the different trade unions in Cambridge and service users. We also took our message to many members of the public.

Whilst out canvassinge for the elections we have been telling people about the demonstration and asking them come along. On the occasions when we have happened on Labour supporters or members we have tried to encourage them to show solidarity with the workers from hospitals, schools, the fire station and other public services by attening the demo. The responses we have received have been telling. There appears to be very little linking Labour party members in cambridge and the Labour movement.

On Saturday morning I was standing outside the Co-op in Romsey Town giving out leaflets about the march and talking to people about public services. I gave a leaflet to one man and invited him to attend, he replied “no, I’m in the Labour Party!”. I tried to ask him again and encouraged him as a Labour party member to support public services and workers. He seemed to have little idea of the irony in the response he had given.

We have had a stall every Saturday for the last two months and the Labour party have more recently set up a stall as well – they arrive later, leave earlier and get less interest and more stick of the public.

I feel sad for them because they are taking the flack for New Labour whilst paying for Cherrie Blair’s haircuts. I also feel sad because lots of labour voters and supporters are hanging on to the idea that local Labour parties still hold some of the values of class solidarity.

I went to ask the woman who runs the stall if she was coming to demonstrate against the privatisation of Cambridge fire station and other services. Her response was to defend the decision to give the fire station to a developer. Even though it was a decision made by the Tory county council. She seemed embarrassed when I explained the real situation and my genuine desire to work together with Labour party members to resist privatisation and protect public services.

My NUT comrade and fellow Respect member Jo reported that she had the same experience with another Labour party member who happened on the rally in the town centre. What is absolutely clear is that the Labour party has lost its tradition of standing together with worker. This is because there is no formal links between the Labour group on the council and the trade unions. Thus they can not find out what is happening in the workplace let alone select candidates from the trade union movement or fight for publicly owned services. It is a party a long way from it roots.

Needless to say there were no Labour party members or councillors on the demo? There has been a right wing coup that has transfored the parlimentry labour party into a bunch of consultants and Public relations people. If those who want to regain the Labour party are going to succeed then they need to rebuild grass roots links with the trade unions. RESPECT is doing this!

Labels: Local Respect