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Tens of thousands demonstrated throughout the country as the government
finally presented its ruthless spending review. After many months of
guesswork, now we know the facts – and they are every bit as bad as many
expected. This coalition of millionaires is set on forcing working
people to pay the bill for the bailouts to the bankers and their rotten
system.
On Wednesday evening, October 20th, around 200
trade unionists, students and community activists gathered on the steps of the
Council House in Coventry in protest at the national and local cuts. Tory
Chancellor Osborne’s announcement of the cuts package was a few hours old, but
the previous day Coventry City Council had announced that it would cut £146
million over the next four years from a present budget of £809m. This would
have represented a cut of 18% but with the knock on effects of higher benefits
and lower council receipts the cuts will be far higher.
Oct 20th – Today’s the day. For months now workers have been dreading
the arrival of this day – the date chosen by this bosses coalition to
announce the biggest series of public spending cuts in living memory.
On Saturday, October 16, more than 3 million people took to the streets
of France in hundreds of demonstrations in cities and towns throughout
the country in the latest national day of action against the proposed
counter-reform of the pensions system. The number was on a similar scale
as October 2, the last time the trade unions called a day of action on a
Saturday but the movement has certainly developed further. The
demonstrations were another show of strength of this movement which has
lasted for months and seen 5 national days of action since the end of
the summer holidays.
The "red mud" surge in Hungary several days ago, which destroyed houses, ruined land, cost a number of lives and has poluted the Danube – with a second surge being threatened – has shocked people not only in Hungary but throughout Europe and beyond. How did it happen – and who is to blame? The bosses media outlets are being in the main somewhat vague on this – our reporter in Hungary goes behind the scenes.
The magnificent movement of the French
workers is an inspiration to the workers of all Europe. It shows the
real face of the French working class. Yesterday (Wednesday) strikers were
continuing their action for a second day running, following an
impressive day of action on Tuesday.
The depth and the scale of the damage that
the Tories and Liberal Democrats intend to impose on the public sector
will
become more apparent on the 20th October when the results of
the
Comprehensive Spending Review will be announced. Already the summer
budget has highlighted
the threat of between 25% and 40% cuts across government departments.
Last week, for several days running, the government in Romania faced stiff
opposition on the streets to its package of austerity measures. So much
so that the interior minister was forced to resign, while the prime
minister was also called on to resign. So tense was the situation that
the police held emergency talks with the president.
Very rarely does one venture into the “personal finance” section of
the business papers. Maybe it is because advice on how to invest your
million pounds fortune doesn’t seem that relevant to your life
situation. Sometimes, however, it pays off.
Dramatic events unfolded in Ecuador last week when a sizeable group
of the country’s police forces tried to overthrow the left-wing
government of Rafael Correa. The official reason for the rebellion of
the police forces was a law passed by Congress on Wednesday that would
end the practice of giving members of Ecuador’s military and police
medals and bonuses with each promotion.
On Sunday October 3rd the – at times – torrential
rain could not dampen the enthusiasm of around 7,000 marchers as they wound
their way through Birmingham city centre in protest against Tory/Lib Dem
government’s planned cuts. As Mark Serwotka, PCS General Secretary,
said speaking from the rally platform, ”If thousands could be mobilised against
the cuts in the pouring rain, just think what could be achieved if the TUC were
to organise such a demonstration. We could bring hundreds of thousands onto the
streets.”
Steve Kelly reports on a meeting against the cuts organised in the heart of Essex.