Conservative Party manifesto - further attacks on firefighters

 

Dear Brother/Sister

You will be aware from previous circulars that the Conservative manifesto contains an attack on the FBU's right to organise and take industrial action. The manifesto makes some other statements relevant to the fire and rescue service that will be of interest. The manifesto states:

Austerity

Our deficit reduction plan has two phases. The first will see us continue to reduce government spending by one percent each year in real terms for the first two full financial years of the next Parliament, the same rate as over the last five years€¦

That will require a further £30 billion in fiscal consolidation over the next two years, on top of the £120 billion that we have already identified and delivered over this Parliament. We will find £13 billion from departmental savings, the same rate of reduction as in this Parliament€¦ (p.8-9)

Privatisation

We have supported the growth of public service mutuals ' organisations that are owned by their staff and deliver public services. We want more of them, so we will guarantee a 'right to mutualise' within the public sector. This will free up the entrepreneurial spirit of public servants and yield better value for money for taxpayers. Transparency has also been at the heart of our approach to government. Over the last five years, we have been open about government spending, provided access to taxpayer-funded research, pursued open data and helped establish the Open Government Partnership. (p.49)

Police and Crime Commissioners

We will enable fire and police services to work more closely together and develop the role of our elected and accountable Police and Crime Commissioners. (p.60)

Members should be aware these are also direct attacks on the Fire Brigades Union. This union has vigorously opposed austerity cuts and will continue to do so whoever forms the next government. The union has opposed privatisation, drawing on the experience in Cleveland - where 97% of members have opposed mutualisation. The Executive Council has also passed policy against undemocratic and unqualified Police and Crime Commissioners.

Members will not be surprised by these threats, as they continue with policies the Con-Dem government has carried out over the last five years. But the promises in this manifesto underline the importance of voting in this election and the need to prepare ourselves as a union for the next government and the struggles we will face under it.

Best wishes.

Yours fraternally

 

Matt Wrack
General Secretary