Both parties failed (From Halesowen News)

Both parties failed

1:47pm Thursday 15th March 2012 in Letters

BOTH Tories and Labour failed Halesowen fire station. So James Morris’ legal challenge to save our fire station came to nothing.

Nosurprises there –althoughit did give Mr Morris many newspaper inches pretending to be against the cut, while he is quite happy to vote with his Tory chums for the biggest cuts programme ever.

However, the bigger disappointment came from Labour.

Despite Halesowen Labour Party activists joining residents and local trade unionists in campaigning to keep the fire station open, allLabour councillors on the West Midlands Fire Authority voted to close Halesowen fire station.

Again, should we be surprised when Labour nationally nowagrees with the cuts and states it won’t reverse any.

If we are to defend our public services from cuts, schools from being privatised via academy status or save our NHS from the Tories, we need a political voice opposed to austerity.

No wonder trade unionists at the civil servantsPCSconference are set to discuss whether they should stand candidates in future elections.

The one lesson from the closure of Halesowen fire station is don’t trust theTories orLabourto save yourfire station.

Tony Barnsley Halesowen