The moves to merge council functions, reported here, seem to be a retrograde step. We do need cuts in spending but this should not be seen as a way of getting the provision of services further away from council tax payers.
Council officials are too autonomous at the moment. This plan was drawn up by council officers. It seems to echo the American ballerina and political fixer Rahm Emmanuel’s quote, “never waste a good crisis”.
The sad thing is that Labour is saying the right thing, but for the wrong reason. Due to the most incompetent government since Lord Liverpool we are now in a deep financial hole, and it’s starting to be recognised out there. Even as a political stunt knee jerk opposition to cuts will only get Labour so far. Labour supremo David Ellesmere’s response shows exactly why Labour currently is not fit to run a whelk stall let alone a country (but he does have some influential support).
Democracy is the reason to oppose this silly plan, not keeping every unison member in a job.
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