FORMER Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) councillor Kevin Bennett is calling for a referendum on the proposed devolution deal for Warrington.
Kevin, spokesperson for Warrington TUSC, said: “Theresa May and the local political establishment seem to be united on pressing ahead with devolution, with or without a mayor, in a Blairite-Tory ‘stitch up’ that the people of Warrington will never get a say on”.
He says there has been no mention of whether the people of Warrington want devolution,
“That is why TUSC are ‘demanding’ a referendum, so that the people of Warrington can decide whether they want to hand over the finances of Warrington to a ruling body outside of the area.
“Theresa May and the council say they want, ‘Real public service efficiencies’, TUSC say this means more ‘cuts’. Teresa May and the council want transformation/ TUSC say this means job losses.
They want to reduce demands on public services/ TUSC say this means benefit cuts for the most vulnerable in our society”.
He believes devolution will bring with it more cuts to the NHS, social care, privatisation and social care centralisation.
He also fears it will see the council fund pro-market policies with sales of public land.
He added TUSC believes, “this means letting businesses have public owned land free or cheap, while other services like the Youth Services, School Crossing Patrols and the YMCA are under threat of closure. WBC are aiming to be a financially self-sustaining ‘city’ with no call for any additional funding from Government.
“Where does devolution leave our Public Services if there is no National Accountability?”
Kevin concluded: “TUSC demand that this council ask the people of Warrington what they want! WBC need to have an open, honest and transparent discussion with the people of Warrington and then have a referendum on whether they want devolution in the first place, and if so which area would they want to be linked with, Liverpool or Cheshire.”
