‘This is a council that was controlled by Conservatives for twenty years running it into the ground’.

Labour Prospective Parliamentary Candidate Margaret Mullane today writes her monthly column in the Havering Daily.

Make no mistake, the effective declaration of bankruptcy by Birmingham City Council, our neighbours in Thurrock, Woking and before that at Northamptonshire, are the tip of anasty iceberg. There is a common cause of this crisis that is overwhelming Tory, Labour and Lib Dem controlled councils.

The cause, which threatens another 114 English councils on the brink of going under, is twofold. The first is the systematic cuts in government support and grants inflicted since the Tories and Lib Dems entered coalition in 2010 and have been relentlessly pursued. The second is the mounting care costs for older people and also vulnerable children. It’s great that more people are living longer, but the government has failed to get to grips with the funding of social care, denying many the chance to enjoy those later years free of financial fearswith the support needed to live fulfilled lives.

For anyone who thinks, what’s that got to do with us, listen to the words of the Leader of Havering Council, Ray Morgon.Havering has said that it’s between six and twelve months away from the Section 114 notice, declaring it can no longer continue to fund services. This is a council that was controlled by the Conservatives for over twenty years and running into the ground. And let’s remember the real costs of these cuts, children’s centres such as the one in Elm Park will be under threat together with so many other services that people depend upon.

I recall seeing Rishi Sunak on the news at a garden party in Tunbridge Wells two years ago saying that plush places like that should get more grant support from government than towns and cities that have higher levels of need. Well, we see the consequences of that with so many councils on the brink of collapse, which the government seems content to ignore. As the local MP I would be pressing Parliament to introduce a fair funding grants formula for councils, which recognises needs for services.  

Jon Cruddas, who I hope to succeed as the Labour Member of Parliament for Dagenham and Rainham, often points out that Britain is the sixth wealthiest nation on earth. How have we got to the point where public services and the NHS are on their knees, so many families are struggling from week to week and so much seems to have worsened so that it feels as if the country is broken.

It doesn’t have to be this way, that’s why I am standing to become the MP for Dagenham and Rainham. Britain can have a great future, but we urgently need a change of direction.

Support Local Journalism
We at The Havering Daily appreciate your support of quality journalism. Your generous donation, no matter the size, allows us to continue bringing unbiased and informative news to the community. Your contribution helps us maintain our independence and allows us to continue providing high-quality journalism. Thank you for valuing the work we do and for supporting our mission

Thank you

Stay up to date with all of our latest updates and content by following us on our social media accounts!

We have created community pages where we will share our up-to-date stories happening in the area. Add the area closest to where you live.