Link to this page: https://www.socialistparty.org.uk/articles/22871

Posted on 20 May 2016 at 14:34 GMT

Bristol Labour mayor brings Tory into cabinet

TUSC says: "We need a clean break with austerity policies of the past"

Marvin Rees, Bristol's new Labour mayor has announced his council cabinet. Despite a resounding win in the mayoral election and Labour taking a majority of Bristol's council seats, they've allowed the hated Tory party a seat on their cross-party cabinet.

Conservative councillor Claire Hiscott has been given the education brief. This is despite her party in government cutting education funding and pursuing the destructive policy of academisation.

"Bristol needs a fundamental change from the cuts policies of the last few years. This cabi-net does not reflect the change that people voted for just two weeks ago. Education is absolutely vital to Bristol's future and to put it in the hands of a Tory will be a slap in the face for many Labour voters. Unfortunately this is already beginning to look like the approach taken by the previous mayor. The main parties will be 'all in it together' in the cabinet, implementing anti-working class austerity.

"Tory policies of taking from ordinary people and giving to the rich are playing havoc in Bristol and across the country. We need a mayor who will oppose that party, not bring them onto the top table and into the running of the city. TUSC will continue to stand alongside ordinary peo-ple and campaign for the jobs and services we need, regardless of who is threatening them."

Tom Baldwin can be contacted for comment on 0798 695 1527 or tomobaldwin@gmail.com He is also on Twitter @TomAgainstCuts

TUSC got 1,876 votes in Bristol's recent mayoral election and 2,827 across 18 candidates in Bristol's local council elections.