UNISON General Secretary, Dave Prentis, took the key issue of public services
to Labour Party conference this morning, as part of the union’s Million Voices
campaign.
In his speech to conference, he condemned privatisation, attacked the
dishonesty of the Tories for calling for savage cuts in spending, paid tribute
to public service workers, called for a stop to tax avoidance of the rich and
for the bankers to honour their debts to society.
Public services was a key issue for the whole of conference, as it got the most
number of votes from constituencies in the contemporary ballot.
He said:
“Public services are not just a trade union issue, but the biggest concern of
constituency parties.
“A year ago we met as the credit crisis burst above our heads.
“Our economy driven off a cliff by an unregulated, unaccountable, financial
system.
“The greed of the rich in our society – the Masters of the Universe, dragging
our entire economy into a downward spiral.
“A year ago people were already afraid. Afraid for their jobs, their homes their
families.
“People were already angry. And we all made promises. ‘Never again’. A new
resolve. A new era.
“An opportunity for us to build a fairer society, a stronger economy.
“And since then, we have worked together as a movement, to make sure that
people get help.
“Wherever we could, protecting homes, jobs.
“Making sure people could, access benefits, support services, retraining.
“And amid all the stress and hardship, our public services making a huge
difference.
“And as they always do in crisis, our public service workers delivered for our
communities and our people.
“Public service workers who deserve our applause and our support.
“But what do they get?
“The dishonesty of Cameron’s Tories calling for savage cuts in spending but
refusing to say where the axe would fall.
“Tories, the same class as the bankers, showing their true colours.
“But the harsh truth is that outside this Conference hall, Labour really has not
done enough to show people that we’ve got a better way forward.
“It’s not about personalities.
“It’s about the policies that our people want to see.
“Policies which turn away from failed markets and privatisation.
“It’s about the better world that our people want to believe in.
“And instead of the debate we need to be having, about investment, taxation,
regulation we’ve been dragged into a Tory debate about spending cuts.
“Cuts which will cut demand when it needs a boost. Accelerate the downward
economic spiral.
“Hit local economies hard. Lengthen dole queues.
“Cuts which will put paid to our recovery.
“Public spending isn’t about safeguarding the jobs of hard working public
servants.
“It’s about ensuring a fairer society for our communities.
“Looking after the needy.
“It’s about having a public infrastructure that supports a strong economy.
“Making sure our economy is competitive though investment in education,
skills and training.
“Making sure that crime doesn’t soar, that poor people don’t lose hope, that
society doesn’t disintegrate, that the life chances of a future generation aren’t
destroyed.
“Too many in our party think that reform – or the answer to the polls is to
ape the policies of the Tories.
“To match their cuts pound for pound.
“And to those who say this is the only way.
“I say you’re wrong.
“It’s a recipe for defeat.
“Members of UNISON will not support policies or a manifesto that seeks to
reverse the investment we’ve made in the last decade.
“It’s time to be bold.
“To put clear red water between Labour and parties of the right.
“To challenge the political consensus that the market knows best.
“To show we’re on the side of working people and their families.
“To reject an orthodoxy that says there’s one law for the rich and another for
the rest of us.
“And to those who say we need more fighters not quitters. You’re right.
“But don’t ask our UNISON delegation to fight with one hand tied behind
their back.
“Don’t ask us to fight for those things we stand against.
“Let’s fight for what we believe in, what we stand for as a movement. Fight
for what defines Labour.
“No more selling off low paid public service workers on the altar of profit. It
makes no sense and it doesn’t work.We have a million voices speaking out for
public services and a fairer society.
“People don’t want to see our essential services and the people who provide
them disappear.
“And if we can show that Labour shares that commitment, that Labour has
clear policies – clear alternatives to cuts.
“Then we could be a million voices for Labour at the next general election,
and we could help deliver many millions more.
“And Alastair, if we need to balance the books. Make it clear that we will not
sack teaching assistants, health care assistants, meals on wheels
“But what we will do is:
“Stop the tax avoidance by the rich
“What we will do is:
“Make the banks honour their obligation to our society
“Make them honour their debts
“Make them pay for their excess and not our public services
“I move.”