The hate for the Tories runs deep in the industrial heartlands of Wales, the midlands and the north. People have long memories and the wounds caused to families all over the country by Thatcher are still raw.
We're constantly told the North is facing unfair austerity compared to the south though.
Newcastle has been getting rid of loads of stuff since the austerity started..
Trying to get "trusts" to take on parks, sports complexes etc
Closing 80% of the libraries (think it was 18 in total closed) ,swimming pools being closed down, arts budget set to 0
18 libraries might sound a lot but were not talking big library buildings.
There was a small library in my sons primary school that got closed down.
Probably the same for most the others that went just little ones that are part of another building but very much appreciated by the local community
The cuts for this year
How the 2015-16 cuts will affect you:
Sure Start and Family Services
A budget cut of £4.67m means that services will only be focused on the the most needy families in Newcastle. While all under fives will be able to access the full Sure Start offer, those in more affluent parts of the city may see additional services change locations, introduce a charge for use or be withdrawn.
Tourist Information Centre, Newcastle
It is proposed that this will close with the loss of six jobs.
Litter
The number of litter bins will be reduced. Streets will only be cleaned in planned areas with less ability to respond to sudden increases of rubbish. Money for street cleaning to continue to its current level is hoped to be gained from city ward budgets and a council tax rise.
Leisure centres
The council hopes to procure a Trust to take over
- Walker Activity Dome
- Centre for Sport
- Elswick Pool
- East End Pool
- All Saints Sports Centre
This would save the council £727,000 and trasfer 38 full time jobs.
Night time noise service
A changed service will respond to the worst cases of antisocial behaviour which are repetitive. Call handlers will be trained to either direct the person concerned about noise directly to the police, or someone from the council will respond the next day. They may call out to monitor noise on a Friday and Saturday night. This is believed to impact people living in South and North Jesmond, South Heaton, Byker and Westgate.
Council tax: Newcastle City Council propose to raise the tax by 1.95%
When the very first cuts came they closed 80% of the libraries, loads off nurseries etc.
doubt many up here will be voting conservative for a very long time.
It wouldn't surprise me if a lot wished they could vote SNP