This branch notes:
The Coalition government is planning savage cuts to Higher Education and the welfare state more broadly that will greatly exacerbate social inequality. Also predicted is the dismantling of university-based initial teacher education against overwhelming evidence of its effectiveness.
This branch believes:
That broad-based resistance is necessary to successfully oppose these cuts. This includes co-ordination with other trade unions, anti-cuts groups and other grass-roots organisations, as well as communication with activists opposing austerity regimes in other countries.
This branch resolves:
To co-ordinate, with the Coalition of Resistance, a large public meeting with Tony Benn later this term to oppose the cuts;
To endorse Tony Benn’s Coalition of Resistance Statement (see
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/aug/04/time-to-organise-resistance-now)
To send delegates to the 27 November anti-cuts conference, and to Right to Work conference, National Shop Stewards conference and other anti-cuts campaigns
(http://www.coalitionofresistance.org.uk/?p=317)
To affiliate to the Lewisham Anti Cuts Alliance and Lewisham Right to Work.
Motion passed 3 November 2010