Dawn Fyfe - Voice of Dissent

Published 15 Dec 2011 09:30

Once again public sector workers took to the streets.

An unprecedented strike, the focus was on pensions, but it was about much more than that.

Workers took to the streets to demand that the ConDems rethink the cuts across services.

It was disappointing, however, that although attending the cuts demo in October, our MP Gemma Doyle has yet to sign the motion supporting the strike, despite a wee reminder!

For the first time in my memory, as we walked through Glasgow, people clapped and cheered the protestors in support.

Even the people who were stranded in blocked roads waved flags and raised fists to show that their couple of hours discomfort was worth it to blacken the eye of the ConDems.

We now know that this recession is far from over.

Whilst elected representatives refuse to address the fundamental problem that our councils are having to use privatised money to fund everything from councillor expenses to "attend" official meetings, (I thought that was why they were voted in?) to building schools, we will never improve the financial situation.

Trying to manage the impossible makes no sense.

West Dunbartonshire Council is in the impossible position of 50 per cent of the budget going on PPI for the schools, before they even think about anything else.

Hopefully elected reps are learning from history, LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE!

The highly motivated Save the Schools campaign told the old Labour administration and the incoming SNP administration this is what would happen.

No-one listened. It was hoped that the new SNP administration would bring in an era of openness and accountability, this does not seem to be the case.

Meetings behind closed doors, where public and press are not allowed, between councillors and council officers, does not instil confidence.

As we have seen with most major decisions the input from the public is essential, furthermore in this age of reducing services good, strong input from the voluntary sector is vital.

The main role of council officers is to protect and develop their allotted service, this can have a negative affect on other sectors as they, quite rightly, protect their own.

It is the role of the elected representatives to co-ordinate an effective spread of service provision, that responds to the needs of the people.

It is not only on a local level that this lack of accountability is screamingly obvious.

As David Cameron, the leader of the ConDem coalition, (I refuse to call him Prime Minister, they were not voted in!), throws his toys out of the pram and leaves discussions about saving the Euro, you really have to wonder who he thinks he is representing.

His priority to protect the wants of the financial sector reflects the difficulties West Dunbartonshire is experiencing.

Until we boot out the bankers we will continue in this downward spiral, ConDemning our children to a depression the likes of what we have not seen in two generations, if not longer!

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This article appeared in Clydebank Post 14 Dec 11

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