25.09.17
How would local government look under a Labour government?
Few will disagree with the statement that the current landscape of local government is one that has been shaped by seven years of Tory influence.
Harsh austerity measures have seen pressures on council-run services, as well as the NHS, mount sharply as demand increases.
The resurgence of the Labour Party in June’s snap election headed up by the once divisive leader Jeremy Corbyn showed that the electorate was split on the future direction of the country.
But how would things have been different under a Labour government and, more importantly, how could Corbyn occupying Number 10 change the sector going into the future?
According to newly appointed shadow communities secretary Andrew Gwynne, Labour would make a difference to local government – a £1.5bn difference to be precise.
Addressing party members at the Labour Party Conference in Brighton yesterday, Gwynne called for an end to the “dogmatic Tory vision of a smaller state” and argued that councils would be £1.5bn better off under Corbyn’s banner.
“Labour in local government will continue to innovate to make a real difference to people’s lives,” Gwynne said. “But I also know the very difficult decisions that councillors have had to make over the past seven years as this Tory government sneakily attempts to devolve the blame for their cuts away from Whitehall – to local councillors in town halls.
“Police cuts. Fire service cuts. SureStart closures. The crisis in social care. Austerity is a political choice. And we also know their cuts have hit the poorest communities the hardest.”
Echoing the message of equality voiced by Corbyn during the election, Gwynne promised delegates that “a vote for Labour will always be a vote for a fairer Britain.”
“But seven years of savage cuts has created a hole in our public services that demands more from us than increased investment; it demands that we consider fresh ideas and approaches,” he continued. “A generation of outsourcing and forced privatisation of public services has hollowed out the capacity of our councils to deliver for our communities.
“So let’s make it our sole mission – a Labour Government. Standing up for our neighbourhoods, protecting our communities.”
Top Image: Gareth Fuller PA Wire
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