Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has released a special New Year message for 2016 in which he makes it clear that the Labour Party must challenge the Government's cuts even more this year.
This of course as far as Trade Union Safety Reps are concerned, includes the cuts to the HSE along with its commercialisation, and the devistation to the Health and Safety legislation that the Tories are responsible for. However, it will be up to USR's to lobby their Trade Unions and MPs to make sure such attacks on the Tory 'austerity' agenda include such issues.
Jeremy Corbyn's speech was reported on the Labout List website:
“I’d like to wish everybody a Happy New Year.
There’s been a great spirit during the Christmas period: of families coming together and communities supporting each other, helping out neighbours, helping the homeless, helping out victims of floods in so many parts of the country.
It’s that spirit of community and solidarity we need to bring into the heart of our politics and the way our country is run."
He continued:
“I was elected Leader of the Labour Party in September on a mandate for change.
During these last three months, we’ve challenged this Government – and defeated them: on Working Tax Credits, cuts to the police service, and running the prison service in Saudi Arabia."
Urging his party to address these key issues, he said:
“We will have to challenge them even more next year – on their damaging cuts to public services, and their lack of investment in our economy and our people.
But we will also offer a real alternative: a politics that gives people a say in the decisions that affect them, and an economy based on long-term investment, instead of self-defeating austerity."
Concluding his message, he said:
“We want to build an economy fit for the 21st century. 2016 will be the start of a journey to elect a Labour government in 2020 that will do just that: a government that will deliver a fairer, more prosperous society that we can all enjoy – a society that works for all, not just the few.”
Corbyn’s first move on New Year's Eve was to join commuters at London Kings Cross railway station to protest at the price rise in fares. He said the increase in rail fares is 'outrageous and unjustifiable'.
He added that £9 billion per year is spent on rail fares and is the most expensive in Europe. Something needs to be done about it.
He also said that the ownership of the rail network should be with the British public.
Commuters are now paying an average increase in fares of 1.1%
Source: Labour List / BBC News / C Ingram (pic)
