Yesterday we handed in Bristols biggest ever local petition KEEP BRISTOL HOME CARE. There were 10,000 signatures. We delivered them in a wheelbarrow to present to Bristol's three main political parties. Leader Barbara Janke (Lib Dem) told the local newsapaper that high quality care was their top priority (that's why they want to privatise it ?!?). Labour leader Helen Holland said: "We have been totally supportive of the carers and the service users, many of whom have contacted us and are very worried. We are doing all we can to support them."Conservative leader Richard Eddy said: "The massive support for this petition demonstrates the genuine concern within the city over the crass and insensitive way in which the Lib Dems have handled the home care issue."Immediately after the elections it is vital that the new council finds a permanent solution and genuinely listens to the trades unions and home care service users."
Today Lib Dems are putting out local election material which says: "Vote Lib Dem to save Home Care - we are not privatising Home Care and that's a promise!"
Politics can be very strange indeed. Anyway, what we have achieved is to have Home Care as the leading local issue in the elections with EVERY party in all wards talking to voters about it in their literature: Greens, Labour, Lib Dem, Tory, Respect. This is unprecedented - we have achieved so much. The days and weeks after the local elections will be critical for our campaign.
Good site ! I found it useful today in pointing me toward some of the many disputes around the country. I have written a post on my living wage blog which tries to summarise all of this : http://livingwageuk.wordpress.com/ .
ReplyDeleteBest of luck with the campaign - please keep me informed on how it's going.
Nick Wall
what a fasntastic campaign; I say hats off to the TGWU organiser and the Bristol women involved. More power to your elbow; lets hope that the Labour bods are not their usual spinless selves.
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